Small issues can lead to big problems
No one wants to admit that their car needs a service because no one wants to deal with a potentially hefty bill. But ignoring your car problems is a decision you’ll soon regret. Those leaks, screeches, and dashboard notification lights each indicate an issue that can be serious, dangerous, and costly if you pretend it’s just not there. By dealing with these problems when they first rear their ugly heads, you can avoid an expensive repair necessary to keep your car running.
“Check engine” light
We’ve all been there: The dreaded “check engine” light just flicked on and you fear a massive bill from your mechanic is in your immediate future. We’re sorry to break the news to you, but fear isn’t a good reason to put off a trip to your mechanic. “If your ‘check engine’ light turns on, you should have your car tested as soon as possible because it’s a signal that something is wrong,” explains Tony Arevalo from carsurance.net. He knows this is a bitter pill to swallow and that “people often postpone going to the mechanic precisely because the car is still running,” but doing so may cause major damage to your vehicle. Depending on what type of car you have, you might actually be in luck.
Broken or unreadable licence plate
Here’s one car issue that’s probably not at the top of your car maintenance checklist, but that’s a mistake. As Tobias Rawcliffe from Number1Plates.com points out, “having broken or unreadable registration plates can make you worthy of a large on-the-spot fine.” After all, the plates are the legal identifier for your vehicle, and if you’re obscuring them or otherwise making it difficult for authorities to read them, you could get pulled over and ticketed. Luckily, replacing your car’s license plate is a cinch. Just head into your local DMV and pay the small fee for a new plate.