Your Car Needs Service – 10 Telltale Signs

Finding out there’s something wrong with your car can be equally stressful and frustrating. But if you identify the problem early on, you can tackle it before it turns into an irreversible issue. Be on the lookout for these 10 signs, as they will signify that your vehicle needs immediate attention.

1. The check engine light is on
One of the key signs that something’s wrong with your ride is a glowing check engine light. It signifies there’s something wrong with one of the hundreds of systems in your car’s computer. It’s not necessarily a cause for panic, according to Angie’s List, but it’s a definite indicator that you should take your car in for an inspection.

2. There’s smoke coming from under the hood
If you’re driving and notice smoke coming from under the hood, it could be a sign that the engine is over-heated. This could destroy your car if you continue to drive and refuse to service it. Pay attention to the temperature gauge – if it seems too high, schedule an appointment for a maintenance check.

Pull over and open the hood to see if there’s an obvious issue.

3. The transmission seems off kilter
When it seems like your car is having trouble speeding up, it feels shaky or it’s making strange noises, there could be an issue with the transmission. The transmission is essentially your car’s power system, so it needs proper maintenance. If you don’t take care it, you’ll find yourself stranded on the side of the road waiting for a tow-truck to haul your car away.

4. There are major fluid leaks
Are there any major fluid puddles on the ground underneath your car when it’s parked? If so, it probably needs a tune-up. The leak could be coolant, transmission oil, engine oil or brake fluid, or it could also just be cold water dripping from the air conditioner. While the latter is normal, other fluid leaks could keep your car from running smoothly. Be sure to take it in to the mechanic as soon as you can.

5. There’s a strange noise while driving
If you hear strange noises while you’re driving, take your car to the shop. A dragging noise could be coming from your wheels, which could signify the wheel or differential bearing is failing. A grinding noise usually occurs when your brakes have gone bad, so you need to get them checked and replaced immediately.

6. The car is constantly shaking while in motion
A car that shakes while driving over poor road conditions is normal. But if you notice it’s vibrating on a smooth street with no obstructions, you need to take it in. DriverSide reported that it could indicate a number of issues, such as an unbalanced tire or a bad universal joint. Failing to take care of the vibration could smoke the engine or transmission, ultimately leaving you without a running car.

7. You’re stalling at intersections
Stalling at an intersection is dangerous. If your car is sluggish and not performing the way it was built to, it could be a sign that the spark plugs need replaced, the fuel filter is clogged, or something more severe in regard to the transmission. Schedule an appointment with the mechanic to take care of this problem before it turns into something serious.

8. It’s difficult to start it up
If it takes more than one turn of the key to get your car started every day, something’s wrong. It could just be a bad battery, but it might also be a defective starter that needs to be replaced. Regardless of the issue, it needs to be taken care of or you’ll be using public transportation to get around.

If your car isn’t starting, it needs attention from a mechanic.

9. Your fuel mileage is bad
If you’ve noticed you’re filling your gas tank more often than normal – and you’re not using your car any more than usual – there’s an issue with your ride that needs to be taken care of. A sticking brake pad or improper tire pressure could be to blame, so take it to the shop for a check-up.

10. Shifting gears is rough
Driving an automatic car provides a smooth, reliable shift in gears. But if it seems less efficient than usual, causing your vehicle to hesitate or jolt between shifts, your transmission needs attention. Schedule an appointment  to change the transmission fuel, filters and screens.

If your car shows any of these signs, just bring it in to New Jersey Auto Auction. Our maintenance workers will help fine-tune your ride and take care of any issues. If you feel as though the damage is done and you need a new car, just head on over to our lot! We’ve got hundreds of quality used Carfax-certified vehicles to choose from.

Unfortunately, your car can break down at any given minute. You might not be able to predict when it's going to happen, but you can prepare for the worst with emergency roadside equipment.  Here are 15 items we recommend keeping in your vehicle at all times:

1. A charged cellphone
This item will most likely already be on you, but it's crucial to make sure it's always fully charged. Bankrate said it's the difference between getting help fast or waiting around for a car to drive by.

2. Reflective warning triangles
Having reflective warning triangles in your car is essential in the event of a breakdown. They will notify oncoming cars that your vehicle is parked, which can reduce the chance of an accident occurring. Edmunds also suggested you consider LED flares.

Reflective triangles will notify drivers to slow down.

3. First-aid kit
You can't predict medical emergencies. Keep a first-aid kit with bandages, gauze pads, adhesive tape, aspirin, antiseptic wipes and ointments in your car at all times in case someone gets hurt.

4. Fire extinguisher
Keeping a fire extinguisher in your car can tame a spark caused by an electrical problem.

5. Jumper cables
Accidently leaving your lights on is common. So is a battery dying on its own. Leave jumper cables in your car so a nearby vehicle can get your ride running again.

Prepare for a dead battery with jumper cables.

6. Flashlight
Breaking down in the middle of nowhere at night isn't fun. Keep a flashlight in your glove compartment, along with extra batteries in case they die.

7. A multipurpose knife
A standard multipurpose knife will come with a bottle opener, a flathead screw driver, a wire cutter, rescue blade and glass breaker, which can all be helpful if any issue arises. 

8. A poncho
Your car breaks down, you're checking under the hood for an issue, and it suddenly starts pouring. What do you do? Reach in your emergency kit for your rain poncho.

9. Nonperishable snacks
It might be hours before a tow truck gets to you. Prepare your stomach for the wait with high-protein nonperishable snacks like mixed nuts and protein bars.

10. Water
Along with snacks, keeping bottled water in your car in case of an emergency is crucial.

11. Cat litter
Cat littler? You read that correctly. You can use it as a replacement for sand – it weighs less – to create traction beneath the tires if you get stuck.

12. An emergency radio
The Department of Homeland Security suggested leaving a battery-powered or hand crank radio in the car to listen for weather warnings if you vehicle's radio or cell phone stops working.

13. Walking shoes
If your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, you have no cellphone reception and you haven't seen a passing car in hours, you'll have to start walking to find help. Keep comfortable walking shoes in your car in case this happens.

If you haven't seen a car in hours, you'll need to start walking to find help.

14. A tool kit
A tool kit with a Phillips head screwdriver, a flathead screwdriver, vise grips, an adjustable wrench and a pair of pliers will come in handy if you break down and can fix things on your own.

15. A fleece blanket
A fleece blanket will keep you warm in the event that your car breaks down during a snow storm.

Once you've packed up your homemade roadside safety kit, consider bringing your car down to New Jersey Auto Auction. Our maintenance technicians can make sure your car is working properly so you're less likely to break down.

Fall’s officially in full swing, which means the winter weather will be here before you know it. Instead of waiting until the last minute to prepare your car, you may want to winterize it in advance. You can avoid breaking down on the side of the road and kicking yourself for not getting it ready while the temperatures are still decent.

Here are 12 maintenance tasks you must take care of before the cold rolls in:

1. Get the oil changed
You know that getting your oil changed every three months is important. But during the winter, The San Diego Department of Motor Vehicles said you need to consider switching to a thinner oil. This is especially important if you live somewhere that reaches temperatures below freezing.

2. Check the engine coolant
Engine coolant keeps your car from overheating, but it and also protects your engine against corrosion during the winter. Most cars follow a 60 percent coolant to 40 percent water ratio when the temperatures drop, so consult your technician about making the adjustment.

Your technician can top off your engine coolant before winter.

3. Evaluate your battery
Did you know that extreme temperatures can reduce your car’s battery power by 50 percent? Edmunds suggested taking your car in and having the battery tested if it’s over three years old. A technician may recommend investing in a new one.

4. Top off your windshield washer fluid
The weather conditions will work against your windshield in the winter. Between the snow, sleet and salt build up, you’ll want to make sure you can always see clearly during your commute. Keeping your windshield washer fluid topped off will ensure clear vision. It’s also suggested to mix the solution with de-icer to avoid the moisture freezing up while you drive.

5. Invest in new windshield wipers
Topping off your windshield washer fluid is very important, but so is investing in new wipers. If the rubber on your blades is cracked, dried or ripped, it’s time to grab a new pair. Winter wipers are a great option – they provide more strength to tough it through inclement weather.

A pair of winter windshield wipers can help you cut through the built-up snow.

6. Consider snow tires
If you’re worried that your car won’t drive well on slippery roads, it might be time to purchase new tires. According to Consumer Reports, replacing all-season tires with winter ones is a worthy investment because they’re designed with rubber compounds and tread patterns to drive successfully on slick roads.

Just remember: It’s very important to switch back to your all-season tires once the season is over. Winter tires are not designed to withstand warm temperatures.

7. Get your brakes checked
This may seem like an obvious task, but it’s worth the mention. Having your breaks checked before the winter is one of the most important safety precautions you can take to avoid sliding and colliding into other cars.

8. Protect the car’s paint
Unfortunately, the dirt and salt can accumulate on your car and damage the paint’s finish. To protect it, take your vehicle in for a professional wash and fresh coat of wax.

9. Prevent a freeze-up
With rain, sleet and snow coming your way, your car is going to retain a lot of moisture. Ultimately, it can get into the door locks and freeze up, locking you out of the car. This is not the ideal situation, but don’t panic. You can prepare in advance by lubricating your locks with silicone spray designed for cars.

10. Review your manual all-wheel drive
It’s likely that you haven’t used your all-wheel or four-wheel drive since last winter. That means you have no idea if it’s running smoothly. Instead of waiting to find out during your drive through the first snow of the season, take your car in and have the function reviewed.

11. Check your heating system
Just like your all-wheel drive, you probably haven’t used the heating system in a while. What if it broke down over the summer? Just turn it on and make sure it’s ready to keep you warm all winter. If you notice an issue, take it in to the shop.

Make sure your heating system works so you can drive comfortably in the winter.

12. Pack an emergency kit
Even after performing all of these maintenance services, there’s still a chance you could break down on the side of the road. To prepare for an emergency, be sure to keep a roadside kit in your vehicle at all times. You can find a pre-assembled kit at most auto shops and some supermarkets, but you can make you own with the follow items:

• A flashlight.
• First aid-kit.
• Jumper cables.
• Flares.
• A blanket, hats and gloves.
• Extra windshield washer fluid.
• Non-perishable food and extra water.

You’ll thank yourself later for packing this kit in your car before the snow rolls in.

Take your car in for a tune-up
Don’t worry about taking care of these maintenance services yourself. Just bring your car down to New Jersey Auto Auction! Our technicians will make sure all of these tasks are completed so you can drive safely all winter long.