Signs Your Car Needs a Tune-Up: Advice from an Earlwood Mechanic

We’re talking tune-ups in this week’s article and we have one question to ask - are you a responsible car owner? The answer is “no” if your vehicle is showing signs of any of the following problems;

Difficulty Starting

Do you hear a clicking sound when turning the key? Is there a grinding noise every time you start the engine? Perhaps the ignition fails to fire and you’ve to try starting the car a second or third time? An Earlwood mechanic will be able to identify the underlying causes of these issues and fix them before they become bigger, more expensive issues to fix.

Smell of Fuel

The smell of fuel in your car can signify a range of different problems, ranging from minor to major issues. Potential causes includes a faulty fuel cap, fuel injector or fuel line problems or there could be an issue with the pressure regulator, the catalytic converter or leaking O-Rings. Even if you know a little about engines, it’s always best to book a visit to your local Earlwood mechanic for a proper tune-up. This will ensure all potential causes of fuel leakage are assessed and identified. Ignoring the smell and hoping it will go away over time is not only a major health risk for you and your passengers but it’s also a potential pathway to bigger, more serious and more costly problems like engine failure and vehicle stalling.

Poor Brake Performance 

Tapping your foot on the brake should feel a certain way; the pedal should feel firm, responsive, smooth and progressive. It should not feel soft and spongy and you shouldn’t feel a delayed, pulsating or vibrating movement. If you’re not feeling what we’ve just described in the first sentence of this paragraph, it’s a sure sign that you need to book a tune-up as soon as possible. There should be no messing around when it comes to brake maintenance and performance so be mindful the next time you press the brake pedal. Failure to look after the brakes in your vehicle could lead to serious safety concerns for you, your passengers and all other road users.

And there you have it - three signs that you need to get on the phone to your favourite mechanic in Earlwood and book a visit. Remember - regular inspections and prompt repairs are vital for lots of different reasons so we hope you take our advice on board.