Your car might be silent, but that doesn’t mean it’s trouble-free. In fact, the quieter your ride, the more you should pay attention. According to the National Fire Protection Association, 18.8% of the total vehicle fires are caused by equipment failure. Most of the time, it’s preventable with a little early awareness. All you need to do is pay attention to even the smallest changes in your vehicle’s behavior.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through three critical warning signs you can actually feel while driving – subtle signals that might just help you avoid a major breakdown or worse.
The Brake Pedal Feels Odd
If something doesn’t feel right when you push the brake pedals, chances are things aren’t right. A soft, mushy pedal is a sign of air in your brake lines or fluid leaks. If you are feeling a pulsating sensation, chances are your rotors are warped. These issues are especially common in vehicles over 15 years old. If the strange feel is combined with a burning smell, get your car checked immediately. There could be a grease buildup on the axle or flammable brake fluid leaking onto hot engine parts. Since brakes naturally generate a lot of heat, these can be serious fire hazards.
This is not an issue you should gamble with, especially on busy routes like the newly designated Interstate 57 connecting North Little Rock to Chicago. With more vehicles passing through this road, vehicle accidents are becoming more commonplace in Little Rock. Just recently, in a tragic incident on I-530 in Little Rock, a vehicle fire erupted after a driver collided with a tree, causing significant traffic disruptions on I-530, I-30, and I-630.
As Keith Law Group rightly points out, injuries from car accidents can be severe and even fatal. The ripple effect it leaves on daily life, work, and personal plans can take months, sometimes years, to mend. If you or someone close to you has survived a car accident, be assured that legal help is within reach. A knowledgeable Little Rock car accident attorney can guide you through the compensation claim and help gather evidence to support your case.
An experienced car accident attorney is well aware of the challenges of dealing with medical bills, lost wages, and the emotional toll an accident can bring. Plus, with their expertise, you’re far more likely to receive fair compensation for any long-term impacts from the accident.
Vibrations in the Steering Wheel
This usually starts with a low-key shudder at first, maybe only at higher speeds, so you think, “Eh, it’s just the road.” But in reality, a vibrating steering wheel can be one of the earliest signs that something’s off, and it mostly means one of three things.
- More often than not, it’s your tires. If they’re unbalanced—often from uneven wear or sometimes after a tire rotation—you’ll start feeling that wobbly sensation. Not fixing it will expedite the tire erosion and affect your car in ways you don’t want.
- It could be a wheel alignment issue as well. Hitting potholes, curbs, or just plain old rash driving can knock your wheels out of alignment. And when that happens, your car starts to fight itself, so to speak. And that struggle is what you’re feeling in the wheel.
- On rare occasions, worn suspension parts, like bushings or shocks, can also be the culprit. These parts take a beating every time you drive, especially on rough roads. When they wear out, they lose their ability to absorb road impact smoothly, and that’s when the vibration finds its way up to your steering wheel.
So the next time you feel that shake, don’t just brush it off. Schedule a quick check-up with a mechanic. Tell them what you’re feeling and when it happens (at high speeds, low speeds, etc.). A little check now can prevent a much bigger, pricier fix down the line.
Abnormal Transmission Noises
Transmission failures come with serious consequences such as overheating or, worse, complete vehicle immobilization. To be more specific, failure to catch transmission issues on time can trigger a chain reaction of failures, affecting engine performance, fluid circulation, and other important systems.
Additionally, a slipping or failing transmission can also impact your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. As the transmission struggles to maintain proper gear engagement, it has to work harder, leading to increased fuel consumption and decreased gas mileage. This not only impacts your wallet but also contributes to higher emissions. If you are hearing unusual transmission noises every time you accelerate or shift gears, it is probably a sign of bad transmission. Here are common types of transmission noises to watch out for:
- Whining or Humming: This could imply low transmission fluid, a failing pump, or clogged lines. It’s a sign that parts inside are not properly lubricated, leading to increased friction and heat.
- Grinding: A grinding noise suggests that metal parts are rubbing together due to low fluid levels or damage. It can cause rapid wear and, if left unchecked, might lead to a complete transmission failure.
- Clunking: A “clunking” sound usually means the gears are struggling to engage, possibly due to low fluid or gear damage.
If you notice any of these sounds, act fast. Transmission repairs and replacements can set you back thousands of dollars. Catching this early could mean the difference between a minor fluid filter adjustment and a complete transmission rebuild. The choice is yours.
Stay One Step Ahead of Car Troubles
Your car speaks to you in many ways, and sometimes, the most important messages don’t come with flashing lights or alarming noises. Trust your gut feeling and take your car to a mechanic the moment you feel something is off. Your proactive approach can save you from becoming a fatality statistic. Stay safe!
