Identifying Car Problems
If you're having problems with your car, here are some things to pay attention to:
Fluid Leaks
Are there puddles under the car or on the engine? If so you may be able to determine their origin just by their color.
- Coolant is frequently bright green.
- Oil is brown.
- Power steering fluid is typically red.
- Brake fluid is tan, nearly clear.
- Gasoline is clear and has a distinct odor.
If there is plain water on the ground, touch it. If it's icy cold, odds are that it is condensation from your air conditioning system and is nothing to worry about.
Steam or Smoke:
Any such emissions from the engine indicate trouble. Black or blue smoke from your exhaust may indicate a problem, too. Normal deposits on your tailpipe would be the color of hot chocolate.
Dash Warnings:
Your gauges and warning lights could be giving you important information about what your car is up to. Refer to your owner's manual to find out what they mean for your car.
Odors:
Many fluids have their own unique odor. If you smell something hot or unusual, you may have a leak somewhere. Get it checked. If your nose detects something burning take a minute to look under the hood (make sure the engine is turned off) for this possibility, too. Don't just hope it will go away - check it out.
Noises:
Cars have the ability to tell you a lot. Listen for noises from your car and describe them as accurately as possible.
There once was a concerned customer who complained to her mechanic of a loud "clunking" in the rear end of the car. "It sounds like...a bowling ball," she replied when asked to describe the sound. Upon opening the trunk, guess what was discovered - a bowling ball. This customer had perfectly described the sound. You don't need to know the exact technical jargon. Just describe it in terms that you know. You'll get the idea across.
