Tag Archives: auto

The 11 most disturbing common car troubles and problems

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You may be thinking that you are safe from car troubles since you take your vehicle in for regular maintenance and never go over the speed limit. But, no one is immune from car trouble – not even the most careful drivers. That’s why we created these troubleshooting lists to help warn people about the most disturbing common problems that can happen with any type of car, old or new. It doesn’t matter if your engine has seen its last day or you just bought a brand new model off the lot.

Conducting regular service and maintenance is critical to keeping your car running strong at all times. though car issues will occur, and every vehicle will indicate obvious warning signs. To reduce the possibility for breakdown and expensive repairs, we’ve listed the 11 most common car problems that are most likely to pop up.

Indication/warning lights

A warning or check engine light is the most disturbing and common issue for car owners. These lights pop up when the vehicle’s ECU (engine control unit) detects an error code activated by a sensor. Since there are over 200 possible warning codes, allowing a professional mechanic to complete a warning light inspection is the best way to determine the source and make the right repairs.

Bad Fuel Economy

When an engine is running efficiently, it burns fuel at a rate that helps to improve fuel economy. Though, different fuel system parts like fuel filters, air filters, air mass flow sensors, and O2 sensors will someday get dirty or wear out. If this happens before they are replaced, it will cause the engine to consume more fuel than it usually does. Again, being active about regular servicing provides the solution.

A Misfiring Engine

Engine runs best when air and fuel properly mix and burn in the combustion chamber. To efficiently complete this process, a sequence of fuel and ignition system components must work together. Though many moving parts help an engine run properly, engine misfiring is one of the leading problems. To reduce engine misfiring issues, make sure to replace fuel and ignition system components as recommended by the manufacturer or mechanic.

Dead Battery

Mostly, car batteries should last about three years or 50,000 miles. A dead battery usually results in reduced amps – or electrical currents – which naturally decrease as the battery loses its ability to retain a charge. A damaged alternator, battery temperature sensor, or other charging system parts can accelerate this issue. It’s best to replace your car battery every 50,000 miles or three years, even when it’s not showing signs of damage.

Flat Tires

Most tires become flat after hitting an object or being punctured, it’s possible for simple wear and tears to be the main source. Lengthen your tire’s lifespan by keeping them properly tightened, as instructed by your vehicle manufacturer. Generally, tightening tires every 5,000 miles (or when you change your engine oil) is the best advice.

Alternator Failure

The alternator is the part of your vehicle that keeps all the electrical systems running once the car starts. It is also responsible for recharging your battery to keep it in maximum condition. When an alternator stops working, it will eventually cause the battery to wear out prematurely and other starting issues. Check your recommended service intervals and replace the alternator before it breaks down to avoid this hassle.

Brakes Squeaking or Grinding

Just like any other moving part on your car, the brake system is intended to wear out over a period of time. Brakes are important for safe stopping, so when they display any signs of issues, like squealing, squeaking, or a soft brake pedal – it should be inspected by a professional mechanic as soon as possible. While minor problems can cause squeaking or squealing noises, once the brakes start grinding, it’s an obvious sign they need to be replaced.

Faulty Kick Starter (Starter Motor)

The kick starter is responsible for cranking your engine over, which begins the starting process. When this component fails, it is usually because the electrical solenoid has been damaged, the kick starter breaks down or another electrical fault comes up – like a starter relay, for example. While a starter can be replaced before it breaks, it’s hard to predict when this will happen. It is best to have a car-starting inspection to determine the problem before assuming it’s the starter.

Shaking Steering Wheel

Many issues can cause the steering wheel to shake while driving. If it happens right after you start your car and begin to drive, wheel bearings or damaged suspension parts are often the sources. If it happens at higher speeds, it’s commonly a tire/wheel balance issue. But having a professional mechanic inspect the vehicle is the best way to correctly diagnose and fix this issue.

Overheating

You might view overheating to be higher on this list, but the fact is, it rarely occurs. In most modern cars, the cooling system is very complicated, containing many sensors that monitor the coolant temperature, flow, and other parts. Making sure water in the radiator is always at the appropriate level and changing the water pump before it breaks are two easy ways to reduce the possibility of overheating issues.

Slipping Automatic Transmission

When properly maintained, an automatic transmission can last for over 200,000 miles without trouble.  Modern automatic transmission is a hydraulic system consisting of various seals, gaskets, and lines that can get damaged, clogged with debris, or leak. When this happens, a transmission will ‘slip’ or not shift smoothly. To avoid this common and disturbing car problem, follow the recommended transmission service for your vehicle.

All cars need maintenance to remain operable. Even when you are on top of suggested support services, like oil changes and tire rotations, issues will occur. A driving method or car model may leave your car more likely to have certain problems than others.

We hope that this list has helped you identify some of the most common car problems. To reduce your chances for breakdown and expensive repairs, it’s important to stay on top of regular service and maintenance. If you’re looking for a great place for all your vehicle needs in one location, we are here! Stop by our garage today or call us at +2348033305930 or you prefer to chat via WhatsApp +2348112442906 to schedule an appointment with one of our experts who can help diagnose what is going wrong with your car and get started fixing it before it becomes too serious.

What common problem do you face? Let us know in the comments below!

Don’t let your car engine knock! (Engine oil sludge)

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What is oil sludge?

Oil sludge or black sludge is a thick gel in vehicle oil caused by oxidation and/or contamination (oil gelling or thickening, usually at 100 degrees hotness or higher.)

Oil sludge looks a lot more like a burnt porridge but don’t know how to cook it like me. So you must be familiar with the black look of it when it’s burnt. Try eating when it’s cold, delicious right?

That’s right, a burnt porridge is bad can’t eat it, especially when it’s really bad (like the whole porridge burnt with no part of it good). You’d eat it, right? Arrrr!

What causes engine oil to sludge?

Here are the 4 things that causes oil sludge (your porridge to burn)

Engine oil breakdown

Once your engine oil breaks down it speedily reduces the efficiency of the engine work and lubrication ( this is when sludge takes place).

Partially combusted fuel will escape into the crankcase, the oil now donates through the engine. Thus, they will find someplace to settle a as sludge. Which will restrict and block oil flow in the surrounding. Which causes rapid engine wear.

Engine oil and water mixture

The coolant or water in a car should never mix with the engine oil. This is because oil is supposed to lubricate all the moving parts in the engine and the coolant/water is supposed to cool the engine temperature, when it’s running.

When the mixture occurs, it’s important to make swift corrections, because if you don’t, the water and oil mixture will form a thick /congealed cream-like color. (A very thick coffee tea ). How would you love that in your engine? Yes right? Because you get to drink free tea directly made from your car engine every day. Good for you.

PS: this mixture won’t just cause sludge to your engine but also cause your engine not to cool it’s temperature well (because the water to cool it’s temperature, is now a thick coffee).

Late car service/neglect of maintenance

Your car engine service must be done in time. Change the oil .at the appropriate time (5,000) miles – in Nigeria, (10,000) outside Nigeria.

Since the oil acts as a coolant in the engine and smoothes the running of the other components, the maintenance service must be done in time.

When the service is delayed or neglected, there are high chances that sludge will be formed since the oil will not be able to flow freely.

Use of bad synthetic oil

While having your car serviced it is advised to use recommended engine oil, mostly by the manufacturer, your mechanic is also in the position to do so. Mechanics know which oil is good and bad for your car.

For Mercedes Benz cars especially, because of their light-made engines, Mobil 1 is highly recommended. Other types of cars can use them too but most of the time, they use Mobil 1 XHP. ( like Prince Automobile Clinic know is know for always using Mobil 1 oil for servicing their customers).

How would you know when your engine oil is sludged?

Probably the alarming check engine light has come on. And your car doesn’t seem to be responsive like it used to or is supposed to. Your engine may be having an engine sludge. You must make sure to correct this before it becomes an even bigger problem.

PSS: know that all cars, regardless of the model type, make, or year can develop engine sludge (all cars ) .

You can check the engine sludge yourself with these few steps.

  • Startup your car. Look in the instrument cluster f the check engine light is on or if your change oil light comes on as well.
  • Open your car hood (bonnet), and open the oil cap. If you see the thick, dark, gel-like substance, you have sludge.

How can you remove engine sludge

If it has been concluded that your car has sludge, then it needs to be removed from your engine quickly. It can cause major problems that can be very expensive to fix.

You can remove this and flush It Yourself at home.

You will just need few things to get it done.

  1. And engine oil flush treatment
  2. New engine oil
  3. Container to collect the dirty oil
  4. New oil filter
  5. The oil filter ( a tool for loosening oil spanner )

Once you have gotten all the listed items ready, you can begin sludge flush. Pretty simple.

1. The first process is to make sure your car is parked on level ground.

2. Open the hood (bonnet) and remove the oil cap.

3. Pour the engine flush treatment into the engine. (In few cases the oil cap may need to be changed).

4. Start the car and let it run idle for 15-20 minutes.

5. Turn the car off and it’s time to drain the oil out. Hopefully, the treatment has had a chance to mix with the sludge so you can flush them out together.

Advanced PSSS: if the engine sludge is much, don’t use the treatment, just drain out the sludged oil out first then Pour engine oil inside the engine and run the engine.

6. Loosen the oil pan and let the oil drain out into the container.

7. Remove the oil filter and let the oil drain from there too.

8. Replace with new oil filter, rub a tiny bit of new oil on the filter rubber.

8. Install the new one. Make sure to turn the filter clockwise to tighten it.

10. Tighten back the oil pan and pour the second new oil. Use a dipstick to check and tighten the oil cap when it’s filled properly.

Conclusion

Using or owning a car requires you to be mindful of its regular maintenance. Part of that regular maintenance includes; regular changing of oil (servicing) it may seem to be a pain but it will help you reduce the risk of damaging your car engine, spending money, and stressing yourself.