Going Back To School? Fix These 3 Troublesome Car Problems First!
Packing up your car to head back to the dorms is a fall tradition for many college students, but this isn't a trip that you should take lightly. If you're loading your car up with all of your worldly possessions, then you want to make sure that it's in good mechanical shape before hitting the road. Money can be tight when you're in college, but you should never put off these essential repairs.
1. Diagnose Check Engine Lights
Your car's check engine light will illuminate any time the computer stores an error code. In many cases, an illuminated check engine does not mean that there is anything seriously wrong with your car. Unfortunately, the wide range of problems indicated by this one little light can include some more severe issues.
You don't necessarily need to prioritize fixing every check engine light that you see, but you should always have them diagnosed. In most cases, you should be able to have your car's error codes read by a local auto shop for free. Taking this simple step before driving back to school can help you to decide if your check engine light requires immediate attention.
2. Repair Brake Problems
You know that your car needs new brake pads when they wear out, but other components in your braking system can fail, as well. Unusual braking behavior, such as pulling to one side while braking or spongy pedal feel, can indicate dangerous underlying conditions. Driving a car with ongoing brake problems can leave you and other drivers at risk.
The most common problems found on modern braking systems include stuck calipers and old, worn-out brake fluid. In both cases, a trained brake technician should be able to diagnose these issues. Repairing them will help to ensure that your car is safe to drive, even if you find yourself in a tricky situation requiring emergency braking on your trip.
3. Resolve Coolant Leaks
Does your car require you to top-up coolant every few days or weeks? Coolant leaks can be typical on older cars, but an engine with insufficient coolant may overheat suddenly. Driving a vehicle that's overheating can result in costly internal engine damage. Even if you turn the car off before causing damage, you may be left stranded on the side of the road waiting for a tow.
Dealing with coolant leaks can be especially crucial if you find yourself stuck in traffic on your trip. Cars with cooling problems tend to overheat more quickly when idling since they do not have extra airflow to help control temperature. Since it can also be challenging to pull off the road in bumper-to-bumper traffic, you may find yourself in a situation where your engine overheats and causes severe damage.
If you want to avoid spending more time than necessary working on auto repairs during your college trip, consider getting your car serviced today.