If you don't know very much about cars, it can be hard to know when your car is telling you there is a problem. To ensure you don't miss these signs, get to know some of the most common indicators.

How to Know If Your Car Has an Issue

As a car owner, you may know only the basics of your car. This means that when your car has an issue and is trying to alert you, you may not realize it. To ensure you can identify some clear signs of car trouble, use these tips.

The Engine Won't Start

Starting your engine every morning shouldn't be a struggle. Your car should be able to start as soon as you turn the key in the ignition. If instead you just hear clicking sounds or nothing at all, then you should get your car checked out. You may automatically assume your battery is dead or just needs to be jumpstarted, but if this is a persistent problem, there may be more to it. You may have an electrical issue, faulty spark plugs, or a number of other issues. Rather than buying a new battery right away, be sure to get your car checked out so you know what the right solution will be. Keep in mind that your battery shouldn't struggle to turn on. If it takes it a bit to turn on, get your car checked right away. This will help you avoid getting stranded because your battery won't turn on at all.

Smoke from Your Car

If you notice smoke coming from your car, this isn't something you should ignore. This can be the result of a number of issues, but the most common reason why there will be smoke coming from under your hood is that your car is overheating. When you notice the smoke, you already have a problem. The best way to ensure it doesn't get worse is by pulling over and turning off your car. Let it cool down before you try to open the hood and inspect it. When you get the hood open, take a look at the coolant reservoir. Don't open it until your car has completely cooled since it can burn you. If the coolant is low, this may be the reason why your car was overheating. You may have a leak, so it's best to take your car into the shop to get it fixed. In the future, be sure to check on your coolant often so you're sure there are no leaks and that you have plenty left in your car. It's also a good idea to keep extra fluids in your trunk just in case.

Squeaky Brakes

It can be very easy to forget all about your brakes when they're doing their job properly but do keep an ear out for them. If your notice that your brakes get squeaky or screechy when you're coming to a stop, then your brake pads may be very worn already. When they're this worn, you can end up damaging the rotor or drum. Before the screech turns into an awful grinding sound, take your car into the shop to get the brake pads replaced. Do your best to keep an eye on these in the future so that you don't have to wait until they're squeaking to get them replaced. Keep your car in great shape by giving it a synthetic oil change in Hagerstown. An oil like AMSOIL's Signature Series 0W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil can help your engine run stronger for longer. To find more great products like this, contact the friendly oil pros at ALF Marketing. Give them a call at (301) 416-0575 to learn more or to place your order.

Strange Smells

When you're driving around, you may smell some not so great odors. Be sure these odors aren't actually coming from your car since bad smells can be a sign of trouble. For example, if you smell something sweet in your car similar to maple syrup, it may actually be the coolant that is leaking. If you notice a bad odor coming from your air vents, especially after turning on the air conditioning, there may be mold in your vents. Don't continue to breathe this in since it can be dangerous. Take your car into the shop and gets these issue fixed before they lead to more problems for you and your car.

Lit up Dashboard Lights

Finally, when something lights up on your dashboard, don't ignore it. These lights are designed to alert you when there's an issue, from old oil to serious engine trouble. When a light comes up, get your car checked as soon as you can. If the light is flashing, the issue is urgent and you shouldn't continue driving. Call a mechanic and get the issue fixed before you seriously damage your car.

Give Your Car a Synthetic Oil Change in Hagerstown

Give your car a synthetic oil change in Hagerstown to ensure your engine stays at its best. Contact the friendly oil pros at ALF Marketing for help finding the right oil for your ride. Give them a call at (301) 416-0575 to learn more or to place your order.