Diagnosing common car problems-Do-it-yourself.

Shakes, bumps, noises and faulty air-con – what the heck is going on with my car? Like people, cars sometimes experience little hiccups and need a bit of a health check and some extra attention to get back on track. So, there’s no need to panic if your near-new car is suddenly acting strangely. Even if your car is new , taking some precautions will ensure you help prevent these common car problems in the future. Here are some common car troubles, and what you can do to sort them out. The problem: Uneven tyre wear. Recognise it: It may not be obvious when driving that your car’s tyres are unevenly worn, but worn tyres can be dangerous due to their reduced grip on the road. A quick check will tell you if your tyres are worn unevenly. The easiest way is to jack up your car and inspect each tyre individually, noting whether there are any bald spots on the inside or outside of the tyre, or whether there are any dips and dents in the tyre tread. Fix it: Rotating your tyres and having your wheels aligned regularly. In terms of how often you should get your tyres rotated, it’s different for every vehicle and type of tyre, but having them rotated at every oil change is a good rule of thumb. Check with the tyre manufacturer for a more specific time frame. Remember that the more often you rotate your tyres, the more evenly they’ll wear, and when you have the tyres rotated, you should also get them checked for balance and alignment. The problem: Problems starting the engine. Recognise it: Your car either takes a long time to start, or the car simply won’t start at all. Fix it: There are a number of reasons which can cause a car engine not to start, the most common, of course, being a dead battery. Pay special attention to the noise it makes when you turn the key. Is the car completely silent? If so, there may be a problem with your battery terminal cable connections. Does your car crank over but not start? Then it may be your spark plugs or fuel supply to your engine. In any case, if you’re out on the road, try jumpstarting your car then investigating the cause further when you’re safely back at home. Credit: John Huges.