Symptoms
Tap the one that sounds like your car. We tell you what it usually is and what to do right now.
My AC is not blowing cold
Nine times out of ten the system is low on refrigerant because of a slow leak at a seal, a hose, or the condenser up front.
This week is fineMy car won't start
It is almost always one of three things: a battery that is dead or has a bad connection, a starter that has worn out, or a fuel or ignition problem that keeps the engine from catching.
Come in todayThe battery dies if the car sits a few days
Something is staying awake after you lock the car.
This week is fineMy brakes squeal every time I slow down in traffic
Most squeals are the wear indicator, a small metal tab that rubs the rotor when the pad gets thin.
This week is fineMy brakes are grinding
The friction material is gone and the steel backing plate of the pad is scraping the rotor.
Stop driving itThe check engine light came on
The engine computer saw something out of range and stored a code.
This week is fineThe car shakes once I get up to speed on I-95
A vibration that shows up at a certain speed and smooths out above it is a wheel and tire balance problem nearly every time.
This week is fineThe temperature gauge is climbing
The engine cannot get rid of its heat.
Stop driving itThere is a puddle under my car
Clear water near the front passenger side is the AC draining condensation, and in this humidity it is normal to leave a puddle.
This week is fineIt clicks when I turn
A rhythmic click that gets faster with speed and louder in tight turns is a worn outer CV joint on a front axle.
This week is fineIt makes a noise every time I hit a bump
The sound tells the story.
This week is fineA warning light came on and I don't know what it means
Color is the first clue.
Come in todayMy car smells like something is burning
A burning smell usually comes from oil dripping on a hot exhaust, a brake that is dragging, or a belt or wire that is overheating.
Come in todayThere is smoke coming out of my tailpipe
The color tells most of the story.
Come in todayMy car pulls to one side when I drive
Most of the time it is alignment, a tire that is low, or a tire that wore unevenly.
This week is fineMy steering wheel shakes when I hit the brakes
This is usually brake rotors that wore unevenly, so the pads grab and release as the wheel turns.
This week is fineMy engine revs up but the car doesn't go any faster
That is a slipping transmission.
Come in todayMy car jerks or bangs when it shifts gears
Hard shifts usually come from old or low transmission fluid, a sticking shift solenoid, or the computer that controls shifting getting bad information.
This week is fineMy car dies when I stop at a red light
Stalling at a stop usually means the engine cannot hold its idle.
Come in todayMy engine idles rough and the RPMs jump around
A rough idle means one or more cylinders are not firing smoothly, or the engine is getting the wrong mix of air and fuel.
This week is fineI'm filling up way more often than I used to
A sudden drop in gas mileage is usually low tires, worn spark plugs, a bad oxygen sensor, or a brake that is dragging.
This week is fineMy headlights are dim and sometimes flicker
If the lights get brighter when you rev the engine, the charging system is weak.
This week is fineMy whole car vibrates when I'm stopped
If the car shakes at a stop but smooths out when you drive, the cause is usually a worn engine mount or an engine that is misfiring at idle.
This week is fineMy car squeals when I start it or turn the AC on
A squeal from under the hood is usually the drive belt slipping on a pulley.
This week is fineMy brake pedal feels soft and goes down too far
A soft pedal means air, moisture, or a leak in the brake hydraulics, or a master cylinder that is failing inside.
Stop driving itMy AC smells like mildew when I turn it on
A musty smell is usually mold growing on the evaporator, the cold part hidden in the dash, plus a dirty cabin air filter.
This week is fineMy windows fog up in the rain and won't clear
The defrost uses your AC to pull moisture out of the air, so weak AC means slow defogging.
This week is fineMy tire pressure light came on
A solid light means at least one tire is low, often from a slow leak, a nail, or a big temperature change.
Come in todayMy electric car won't charge
When an EV will not charge, it is often the charger or outlet, a charge port latch or pins that are dirty or damaged, or a weak 12 volt battery that keeps the car from waking up.
Come in todayMy EV doesn't go as far on a charge anymore
Some range loss over the years is normal as the battery ages.
This week is fine