How often do you think about the condition of your car's engine? Sometimes, often, never, depending on whom you're asking; right? It's no mystery that your vehicle won't operate without an engine. Yet there are some folks who consistently ignore this dominating factor. In fact, most people don't think about the engine until the sensor light comes on, or if they hear a noise.
Take notes as we want to give you five signs that will alert you to possible engine trouble.
- For starters, the WARNING LIGHT -- this sensor is linked to your vehicle's 'mother board' and will ignite for several different reasons. One should never ignore this light as it signals that something is not going right or better yet it's warning you that something could potentially happen at any moment.
- ERRATIC DRIVING -- The last thing you want to happen while driving your vehicle is for it to stall or loose speed upon a tempted acceleration. Your engine should deliver a relatively smooth, predictable driving experience --free from surges, jerking,hesitation or stalls. If it does not, guess what? That's a pretty strong sign of engine trouble. Such behaviors could be clues to fouled spark plugs, clogged fuel lines or fuel filter, a faulty computerized driving profile being read by the engine computer, or many other issues.
- IRREGULAR NOISES -- Have you ever jumped or felt the need to take cover, only to find out it was a vehicle's back fire? HA!!!! I can't tell you how many times this has happened to me! A tapping or popping for instance, could indicate detonation taking place within the engine's cylinders. This happens when gasoline ignites prematurely in the combustion chamber of the cylinders, and can potentially result in expensive piston damage, as well as scaring the living day lights out of you or someone nearby.
- STRANGE SMELLS -- If you smell automotive odors inside the passenger compartment, your should take it as a strong indication to possible engine trouble. The scent may signal oil or coolant leaking from their normally closed-loop systems, or it may indicate dangerous exhaust gases invading their way into your car's interior. Cars and truck exhaust contain toxic gases such as carbon monoxide. So, if you get a strong whiff of exhaust while sitting inside your vehicle, don't hesitate to have it checked out immediately. Worn drive belts will put out a smell of burned rubber, so be sure to check them regularly as well.
- SMOKE-- There is nothing more invading than the vehicle ahead of you billowing smoke into your car's cabin. And if for some reason you happen to be the invader, shame - shame- shame! Your vehicle is sending your an S.O.S. That's right, some one save me fast. Smoke billowing from the tailpipe means that some kind of contaminate has infiltrated the fuel air mixture and is getting burned along with gasoline. Besides being annoying and endangering your fellow motorists, operating a rolling smoke machine points to gasket failures. As a general rule of thumb, blue smoke coming from the tailpipe usually means oil is escaping form its intended passageways within the engine and is being burned along with fuel. Of course you could always keep adding engine oil to the crankcase to prevent it from being all burned up (and risking serious engine damage), but the smart thing to do would be to take the car in to have any worn or damaged seals repaired.White smoke indicates water condensation or antifreeze has mixed with he fuel supply. Again, adding coolant or antifreeze to your car's cooling system is a temporary solution, but the wise move is to have it checked asap.
Help yourself and save some money while doing so by allowing time for preventive maintenance, including regular oil changes and belt replacements at recommended intervals to keep you out of the danger zone called ENGINE trouble. Pay attention to noises, smoke, engine stalling, smells, and remember - if your check engine light comes on --Victory Nissan will diagnose it at no charge.
Not sure what to pay for engine work or regular maintenance? Victory has provided a resource to give you some buying power; www.carservicebids.com allows your to name your repair and maintenance price. As always, visit our site www.victorychesapeake.com for more information regarding buying, trading, renting or repairing vehicles.
NISSAN delivers!
Some data compiled by howstuffworks.com
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