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CAR ISSUES THAT SHOULD ALERT YOU TO PULL OVER
Admin • May 13, 2020
You probably know to pull off the road when an emergency vehicle passes in the opposite lane, when a policeman instructs you to leave the lane, or when foul weather makes visibility impossible. However, you should also recognize when a vehicular problem alerts you to stop driving immediately and seek assistance.
Some mechanical issues may not present an imminent threat, while others can seriously damage your car within minutes if you keep driving despite the warning signs. Here are some signals that you need to pull over and contact a towing company from the safety of the shoulder.
Dashboard Warnings
Your dashboard lights and gauges may serve as your first (or only) warning that you have a serious mechanical problem in the making. Most commonly, you may see your check engine light come on. This light means that your car's computer has detected some sort of malfunction.
A solid check engine light doesn't necessarily indicate an emergency, but it does mean that you need to take your car to the nearest auto shop for an inspection as soon as you reasonably can. By contrast, a flashing check engine light may mean a catastrophic failure or potential fire hazard. Stop driving the car immediately.
Your temperature and oil indicators may also warn you of an urgent problem. If your oil light comes on or the pressure level suddenly drops, you need to pull over before you destroy engine components. A temperature gauge needle rising into the red zone usually means a dangerous overheating issue.
Smoke or Steam
If your temperature gauge fails to get your attention regarding an imminent cooling system failure, steam coming out of your hood sends an undeniable message to pull over. If you keep driving on an overheated engine, you can damage your car's pistons or other critical engine components.
Smoke coming from beneath your hood also signals an immediate need to pull over. In the worst-case scenario, your engine may actually have caught fire. If the smoke smells like fuel, you may have a serious fuel system malfunction. Black tailpipe smoke usually indicates a less-urgent fuel or emissions system problem.
Sudden, Abnormal Noises
Vehicles normally make a variety of noises when in motion, but a sudden, loud, unfamiliar noise merits immediate attention. If you hear an isolated banging noise, for instance, pull over and examine your car for issues such as a blown-out tire or ejected spark plug.
A roaring noise coming from somewhere under the driver's seat often indicates a leaking exhaust manifold. Even if other aspects of the car's performance seem normal, you should treat this symptom as a potential emergency. Continued driving under such conditions might expose you to harmful or fatal amounts of carbon monoxide.
Bear in mind that you might not hear certain automotive noises if you always drive with your stereo at high volume. Get into the habit of driving without the audio system engaged from time to time, just to catch any odd noises that may spell trouble.
Sudden Loss of Steering Control
When you lose control of your vehicle on a patch or water or ice, careful steering and braking responses can help you regain normal control of your vehicle. However, if you suddenly lose control on dry ground for no good reason, you may have blown a tire.
Resist the urge to drive on the flattened tire to the nearest auto shop. Driving on an unprotected wheel can damage the wheel and other suspension components. If you can't restore air pressure to the tire or change the tire yourself, schedule a towing service and wait for the tow truck to arrive.
If you suddenly find your car extremely difficult to steer, you may have lost your power steering due to a fluid leak or mechanical failure. While you might manage to keep driving anyway, the loss of maneuverability makes you vulnerable to accidents. Keep yourself and your occupants safe by scheduling a tow instead.
When an unexpected vehicular problem runs you off the road, Hix Wrecker Service can come to your rescue. Contact us
to request towing services from any of our locations.
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