You don't have to be a mechanic to understand simple signs that your vehicle needs some repair. Here are common things you should watch out for that can indicate that a repair is needed for your vehicle.

Noises under the hood

There are a few belts under the hood of your vehicle that give you audible signs that they are failing. A 'chirping' sound that begins when you start your vehicle and continues as you accelerate could mean that your serpentine belt is failing. This is a serious mechanical issue, since your serpentine belt is responsible for making your entire car run. If it breaks or wears out, then your vehicle may shut down entirely when you are driving.

A whining sound when you start your vehicle that fades after you idle it for a while may be your timing belt indicating that your vehicle is is in need of a new one. A timing belt should be good for up to 100,000 miles, so if you've never had yours changed and hear this sound when you start your car, it may be to blame. You can take your vehicle in for Toyota repair or other types of vehicular repair at your local repair shop like Import Specialty Auto.

Pulling when driving

If you notice your vehicle pulling to either the driver or passenger side when you are driving, your tires may need to be realigned. Another indicator of alignment issues is a shaking steering wheel once you hit certain speeds. Since poor alignment can cause your tires to wear out unevenly, it's important to get this issue checked and repaired as soon as possible. There are a few reasons why your vehicle would need to be realigned, including:

  • hitting a large pot hole or speed bump at high speeds
  • wear on bushings and ball joints
  • tire wear or having tires that are too large for your vehicle

Heater issues

If your heater isn't working like it should, you will be able to tell fairly quickly. Your heater will either start blowing cool or lukewarm air or will quit blowing air completely. Your fan, thermostat, or even your heater filter could be the cause, and a mechanic's repair shop can diagnose and repair this issue for you rather quickly. It's important to have your malfunctioning heater looked at as soon as you can so you can defrost your car effectively on cold days for better driving visibility and comfort.

Your vehicle will often let you know if you need any repairs. Any strange noises under the hood, pulling when driving, or a failing heater are just a few of the common signs that your vehicle needs repairs to function more safely on the road.

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