How to Diagnose Your Car Problems If You Know Nothing About Cars

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How to Diagnose Your Car Problems If You Know
Nothing About Cars
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• Automotive maintenance and the troubleshooting of
  even basic problems can be incredibly complex. As
  cars become more advanced, new computer-controlled
  elements and increasingly complex drivetrains
  are introduced into vehicles, and the level of
  difficulty in diagnosing and repairing a problem
  only goes up.
• For those who arent mechanically-inclined,
  sorting out car problems can be a daunting
  process. Luckily, there is a basic level of
  intuitive diagnosing that anyone can do with
  nothing more than their senses (and we can leave
  the sense of taste out of it!). That is because
  most cars will consistently have certain symptoms
  that correspond to certain problems. At the very
  least, being able to identify the area in which
  the problem is located is a huge step in sorting
  out automotive issues.

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Use your sense of smell

• Step 1 Check your car for unusual smells.
  Different smells on the inside or outside of your
  car can indicate issues with your car.
• Unlike with noise or vibration, unusual smells
  are easier to detect because they are usually
  more noticeable. There will always be background
  noise and normal vibrations in a car, but the
  smell is usually more or less neutral.

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• Step 2 Check for the smell of exhaust fumes
  inside your car. The smell of exhaust fumes
  inside the car should be great cause for concern.
  It's an indicator that exhaust gas is getting
  into the cabin of the car from somewhere under
  the vehicle.
• If you smell exhaust gas in your car, stop
  driving and call a qualified mechanic to assess
  the issue before driving again. Exhaust gas
  contains carbon monoxide, which can cause loss of
  consciousness and even death if inhaled.

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• Step 3 car diagnostic service Check for the
  smell of gas or oil. The smell of gas or oil
  usually indicates that there is a problem with
  one of those fluids leaking in the engine bay.
• Gas can leak from around the tank or from
  underneath the car as well, but that would cause
  puddles of fuel to collect on the pavement, which
  would likely be noticed before the smell.
• Ensure that you get a mechanic to check out
  either of these smells right away, as the
  problems that cause them are likely to get worse.

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• Step 4 car diagnostic service Check for the
  smell of coolant. Coolant smells uniquely sweet
  and is easy to pick out among leak-related car
  smells.
• If coolant is leaking out, then the engine is
  probably not being cooled sufficiently and could
  become damaged in the event of overheating.
  Contact a qualified professional to address any
  issue with an unidentified smell in the car.
• Step 5 car diagnostic service Check for the
  smell of sulphur. A couple of different parts can
  cause the smell of sulphur to be released if they
  are damaged or malfunctioning. These include the
  battery and catalytic converter. If the battery
  becomes overcharged, or if the catalytic
  converter begins to fail, then you will notice
  the smell of sulphur in or around the vehicle. In
  some instances, problems with the fuel system can
  also produce this odor.

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• Step 6 car diagnostic service Check for the
  smell of burnt wood or rubber. When they
  experience too much friction and heat up,
  components that experience friction can produce
  smells that resemble burning wood or rubber.
  Parts such as the brake pads or the clutch will
  produce such smells.
• Step 7 car diagnostic service Check for the
  smell of mold or mildew. If your interior smells
  like mildew or mold, the problem likely lies with
  the air circulation system. The smell probably
  originates from the cabin air filter, especially
  if it has not been changed recently. However, a
  number of issues with the AC or heating units can
  also cause such an odor.