Being a responsible car owner is no easy feat. You have to pay for insurance and inspections. On top of that, you also have to take it in for regular maintenance, such as oil changes. Plus, sometimes your car will need a little help and work even in between its regular service appointments. And, if you don't take your car in on these "special occasions," you could end up doing some serious damage that will be even more expensive to repair in the long run. To keep this from happening to you, it is important that you are aware of the warning signs that your car could benefit from immediate servicing.

The Dreaded "Check Engine" Light

Modern day vehicles are pretty smart. They are so smart, in fact, that they will often "tell" you when something is wrong with your vehicle and when it needs attention.

Thus, as tempting as it may be, never ignore what your car is blatantly telling you. If that "check engine" light comes on, take it to a service center right away. These lights are designed to only come on when your car truly is in need of something. It may be something small or big, but the only way to know and to prevent a serious problem is to take the vehicle in for servicing right away.

Strange Sounds

Another major indicator that you need to get to an auto mechanic right away is if your car is making strange sounds, especially if those strange sounds happen when you try to stop.

While any unexpected sounds could be bad news, especially if they seemingly develop out of nowhere, you want to be especially aware of grinding or squealing sounds, which often indicate an issue with the brakes. Obviously, driving around on bad brakes is seriously dangerous, so these sounds should never be ignored for any period of time.

Smoking

Something else that you should never ignore is if your vehicle suddenly starts smoking, especially if that smoke is coming from under the hood of your car.

Typically, when this happens, it is because the car is overheating, something that can be very detrimental to the engine and that could potentially even ruin it. If your car ever starts smoking, don't keep driving it. Have it towed to a mechanic right away to prevent severe damage to your vehicle and danger to yourself and others.

Remember, regular servicing is important for any car, but emergency servicing is definitely in order if you notice any of these warning signs or anything else out of the ordinary. Companies like Sharp Transmissions can help you with your repair needs.