The southern city of Austin is the fourth-largest city in Texas and is known for striking the perfect balance of work and play. As with the state of Texas, Austin is driver-friendly, so you will always see cars lined up on the roads.

Given the liveliness and fun activities in the city, you may find yourself driving from one place to another most of the time. With that, you should make sure that your car is always in its best condition. Imagine driving on the highway and suddenly seeing smoke come out of your engine. If this happens, you would have to stop on the side of the road and check out your hood to see what was causing the smoke.

Running into automotive issues while on the road can be challenging. You not only have to stop halfway on the road but may also end up spending more for repairs. To avoid this situation, keep an eye out on your car’s condition and immediately visit a mechanic in Austin once you see signs of possible issues.

Smoke

Smoke is never a good sign, so the moment your car starts smoking, you should immediately stop. Your engine is likely to have overheated, so stopping your car will avoid further increasing the vehicle’s temperature. If minimal white smoke is coming out of the exhaust, this is normal. However, if there is a black residue near your exhaust pipe, the car should be taken to a mechanic.

Noises and Shaking

If there are weird noises repetitively like squeaking, knocking, or braking while driving, the vehicle should be checked out. Hearing a knocking noise from under the hood may be a sign of the engine getting worn out, which will require immediate repair.

Other unusual sounds may also be indicative of performance problems so that the car will need a tune-up. Vibrations in your car may be normal, but excessive shaking may be a sign of a more significant issue. If your car is continuously vibrating with no end, this may be a sign of a problematic wheel alignment, which may cause more significant problems if left unaddressed.

Leaking Fluids

Liquids should always stay inside the car so it can operate efficiently. Therefore, if the liquids leak, then one should visit a mechanic. If the liquid is green, then the car has a coolant leak.

If the fluid is dark red or brown, then the car may be leaking in its brakes, transmission oil, or engine oil. During the warmer months, however, water may drip from the front of the car due to the heat. If this happens, it is normal and should not be a cause of panic.

Engine Light

If your check engine light is on, then this may be a sign of an engine problem. Though this case may not necessarily need immediate attention, you should have your car checked out as soon as possible. If the check engine light is flashing, however, then your engine needs to get checked immediately. Failure to do so might lead to damage in the catalytic converter since the flashing light is a sign of an emissions problem.

Texas requires that you bring your cars for inspection annually to ensure that there are no problems. However, there are telltale signs that will require you to visit a mechanic in Austin soon to avoid aggravating the issue.