Maintaining your vehicle at home is a satisfying way to keep your motoring costs down. With the right knowledge and products even someone who isn't very mechanically inclined can take care of many of the smaller issues in everyday driving. Sometimes, however, car issues can be too specialized or complex for the average motorist to take care of by themselves and it becomes time to take your car to the pros. Below you'll find three major warning signs that you need to get to a mechanic ASAP, as well as some of the potential causes behind them.
Engine and Drivetrain Problems
Let's start at the beginning. If your car won't even turn over and start up, then the rest of the problems on this list won't come into play. The simplest cause of this issue is a dead battery, which you can remedy with jumper cables, and the instructions that come printed on their packaging. If jumping the car doesn't work, you may have a larger problem with your ignition system. It's advisable to take your car into the shop at this point because finding the root of the problem will likely involve removing a few parts from your engine. Whether it's dead spark plugs or electrical problems, it's better to have it dealt with by a professional. Likewise, engine surging where the revs rise and fall can mean a problem with your fuel injectors, which are fairly deep within your motor. It's unwise to drive around with a surging engine, as this burns more gas and can cause unintended acceleration. Drivetrain issues are another major issue requiring professional attention. Everybody fears the dreaded transmission repairs, so if certain gears won't engage or they shift at the wrong times you should definitely take your car to the qualified mechanics here at Cahill's Tire & Auto Service.
Vibration While Driving
This issue can be caused by damaged drivetrain components, but can also stem from misaligned wheels or unbalanced or flat tires. If you feel any vibration or shuddering as you drive along, you should get to a mechanic as soon as you can. At its worst, this issue can lessen your control over the car, potentially causing accidents. This will also wear out your tires more quickly than if everything was straight and true. Unwanted vibrations put stress on important (and costly) components like suspension and brakes while decreasing gas mileage, so it's smart to take your car in as soon as these issues develop.
Poor Braking Performance
Your brakes are vital to keeping you safe on the road and should definitely be cared for by a professional, unless you're absolutely sure you know what you're doing. Common signs of issues with your car's braking system include squeaking or squealing when the brakes are applied, or the brakes feeling spongy and failing to slow your vehicle properly. Squealing brakes are caused by the brake pads wearing through the pad surface to the metal underneath. At this point the metal behind your brake pad is coming into contact with the brake rotor. This can be disastrous and produce unwanted heat, reduced stopping power, and cause you to have to buy new rotors as well as the relatively cheap pads. Spongey and weak brakes can mean there's a problem with your master cylinder, which converts the mechanical pressure of you pressing the pedal into hydraulic pressure to apply the brakes. In either case, it's best to have your brakes seen to by the professional mechanics here at Cahill's Tire & Auto Service.
There are instances where car maintenance is simple and easy, but if you notice any of these issues developing, it's best to take your car in for a qualified mechanic's checkup so the problems can be remedied before they turn into much more serious issues. Cahill's Tire & Auto Service has the tools and expertise to have you safely back on the road in no time at all.
What People Say About Us
I get all my automotive work done at Cahill’s. I think they do great work. They’re not too expensive and they have been good to me. On Monday 11/18/2024, I had a tuneup and fuel injection cleaning. The service cost less than the quoted estimate. They changed my engine and my cabin air filter. I didn’t expect that to be part of the tuneup and I didn’t think they needed to be changed so I overreacted and yelled at the woman that was working the desk. She didn’t deserve that. Cahill’s are the best mechanics in the Oxford area. I highly recommend.
Julianne Dyer, 11/18/2024
I am on disability and severely needed 4 new tires on my car. I called around to multiple places to get quotes on tires and everywhere I called I couldn't afford, or the place was trying to get away with giving me the worst tires at the highest price. I called Cahills and got a quote for 4 tires balanced with an alignment cheaper than anywhere around, and the tires were better quality than any of the other places. All of the staff were extremely friendly and helpful. I had taken my car to the dealership 2 days prior to going to Cahills and was told there was a wheel bearing issue, and Cahills confirmed this but quoted me less than half the price for repair as the dealership. I'll be calling tomorrow to schedule wheel bearing repair with Cahills.
Wonderful customer service-called about a radiator leak and they were able to get my car in the very next day. Job was done in 1 day and just below their quoted price. My husband is pretty handy and luckily is able to take care of most maintenance and issues but for all jobs too big for the drive way, these are definitely my go to mechanics-HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!! Thank you again for such great service!
Kerridan Banfill, 03/12/2021
Being on disability I checked all around Worcester county, not only does Cahill's have the best pricing their service is ten stars, great (owners) folks all around ! Its nice to leave a business and know that you weren't taken to the cleaners !
Great service and great prices on a set of 4 tires. Check around for the total price and Cahill beats the others.
Customer service awesome, very accommodating.
