4 Critical Signs That Your Car Needs Service

August 28, 2020

As people exhibit signs of weakness and exhaustion, your vehicle can also let you know about its conditions. Performing your vehicle’s routine maintenance can save you a lot of time and money and ensure a safe driving experience.


So how do you know your car needs a service? What are the warning signs? If you have these questions in mind, you have landed on the right page, as we at Crown City Tire Auto Care will provide professional assistance and auto service to help you solve these problems.


Your car’s health is our top-most priority, and we will get them inspected and repaired by the time you hit the road again. So without further ado, let us look at 4 of the most common critical signs that your vehicle may exhibit:


1. Look For The Check Engine Ligh t


With technological advancements in the auto industry, many cars come with a helpful check engine light or indicator. A check engine light is associated with a number of your vehicle’s inner systems, and so keeping a close eye on this indicator is a must. These lights turn on when your car is facing some issue or have a problem.


If you find this light on, it would be best to visit an auto shop and get it inspected by car service professionals or auto mechanics. Most of these lights come with a standard flashing pattern.


If you find your check engine indicator starts blinking, it indicates a severe issue with your car, and your priority has to be getting your vehicle inspected. If the light stays on, you still need to get your vehicle to a car service and check your engine.


2. Bad vibrations


Feeling vibrations while driving any car is a bad sign, and getting it inspected by car service professionals has to be your priority. Multiple issues can lead to this problem, such as worn brake pads, flat tires, lack of oil, or a failing engine joint, resulting in colliding and scraping of two or more engine components.


Vibrations can cause other problems as well, and lead to severe problems with your vehicle. Additionally, a vibrating car may not be a delightful experience while driving, especially on the steering column. If you are facing these issues, an engine inspection is the best thing to do.


Other problems related to vibrations include a knocking sound that calls for immediate professional attention. One of the common reasons for this knocking sound is the lack of oil in your engine, which may lead to internal component damage leading to a complete engine breakdown.


It would be best to visit an auto shop and get it inspected by an auto mechanic. You can also try adding oil to the engine. However, we insist on getting it checked by professionals.


3. Bad Smell


A smelling car can indicate various things. It could be the smell of your engine oil, or in worst possible cases, a scent that means your vehicle needs service. While many odors indicate minor problems, some may indicate severe issues and may require immediate professional assistance.


There are a lot of different odors that come out of your vehicle. For instance, the smell resembling rotten eggs indicates a catalytic converter issue, which may need a replacement or repair. If your car produces a burning smell, it means an electrical problem that might be fatal for your vehicle’s health and needs proper professional assistance and car service.


If you are witnessing other smells and can’t determine its cause, a visit to Crown City Tire Auto Care will undoubtedly keep you away from harm’s way and your vehicle healthy and safe to drive.


4. Smoke


Witnessing smoke from your vehicle is not a good sign in any condition. You will have to address this issue as soon as possible. There are several reasons responsible for your vehicle to emit smoke. This is also one of the 4 critical signs that your car needs a service.


One possible reason could be because of engine overheating, which mostly emits smoke out of your hood. Many modern vehicles have temperature needle or indicators that indicate engine overheating and warn you that there are issues with your car.


If you don’t address these issues immediately, the problem may affect your entire engine. Thus, you might have to replace it, which may incur additional time and money.


The color of the smoke can also help you determine the problem. For instance, black smoke indicates a gasoline issue, whereas white smoke can be a product of lousy coolant in your car. At the same time, a blue-tinted smoke indicates an oil leak, which is undoubtedly a significant issue to address.


Our auto mechanics at Crown City Tire Auto Care are expert car service professionals and will get rid of all your issues with dedication and expertise.


Conclusion


Whether you have issues with vibrations or your vehicle smells weird, regular maintenance and car service are necessary to keep your car healthy and safe for driving. You can cure some of these issues with simple self-based solutions. But you will require expert care and service for others.


Critical signs help you understand your vehicle’s health better and keep you alert regarding unwanted eventualities that may cause severe concerns and complications.


About Crown City Tire Auto Care


We at Crown City Tire Auto Care give our customers top priority and address car maintenance with utmost care. Our auto mechanics are one of the best car service professionals in the world. We also deliver quality car service and support every vehicle that drives through our doors.

Our services include:

  • Maintenance of brakes
  • Oil
  • Wheel alignment
  • Air conditioning
  • Engine repair and diagnostics
  • Routine car maintenance
  • Batteries
  • Suspension check-up and maintenance


We have a team of dedicated auto service professionals that will help you with all your issues. Our expert care team will ensure safety and performance, get your car up, and make it ready for your next ride.


April 2, 2025
We all love that fresh, clean feeling when we step into our cars, especially after a long day navigating the bustling streets of Pasadena. But have you ever stopped to think about the air you're actually breathing inside your vehicle? Often overlooked, the cabin air filter plays a crucial role in the quality of your in-car environment. At Crown City Tire Auto Care in Pasadena, we believe in empowering our customers with the knowledge to keep their vehicles running smoothly and their occupants healthy. So, let's dive into the often-neglected world of the cabin air filter and uncover the dirty truth about when it's time for a replacement. For many drivers in Pasadena and beyond, the engine air filter gets all the attention. It makes sense – it's directly linked to engine performance and fuel efficiency. However, the cabin air filter, while not impacting how your car runs, significantly affects the air you and your passengers breathe. Think of it as the air purifier for your vehicle's interior. It's designed to trap dust, pollen, mold spores, pet dander, and even airborne pollutants that can enter your car's ventilation system from the outside. Why Should Pasadena Drivers Care About Their Cabin Air Filter? Living in a vibrant city like Pasadena, CA, exposes our vehicles to a variety of environmental factors. From the seasonal blooms releasing pollen into the air to the everyday dust and smog of urban driving, our car interiors can become surprisingly contaminated. A clogged or dirty cabin air filter can lead to a host of issues, some you might not even realize are connected: Reduced Airflow: A blocked filter restricts the amount of air that can pass through your car's heating and cooling system. This can lead to weak airflow from your vents, making it harder to heat or cool your cabin effectively, especially during those hot Pasadena summers or cooler winter evenings. We've seen many customers at Crown City Tire Auto Care surprised at the improvement in their AC performance after a simple cabin air filter replacement. Unpleasant Odors: Over time, trapped particles and moisture in the filter can become breeding grounds for bacteria and mold, leading to musty or unpleasant odors circulating in your car. If you've noticed a persistent stale smell, even after cleaning your interior, your cabin air filter could be the culprit. Allergic Reactions and Respiratory Issues: For allergy sufferers or individuals with respiratory sensitivities living in Pasadena, a clean cabin air filter is paramount. A dirty filter recirculates allergens and irritants, potentially exacerbating symptoms like sneezing, coughing, and itchy eyes. Replacing your filter regularly can significantly improve the air quality and comfort for everyone in the vehicle. Strain on Your HVAC System: When the cabin air filter is clogged, your car's blower motor has to work harder to push air through. This increased strain can potentially shorten the lifespan of components in your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, leading to more costly repairs down the line. At Crown City Tire Auto Care in Pasadena, we always recommend preventative maintenance to avoid such issues. So, When Exactly Should Pasadena Drivers Replace Their Cabin Air Filter? While there's no one-size-fits-all answer, several factors can help you determine when it's time for a new cabin air filter in your vehicle: Manufacturer Recommendations: Your vehicle's owner's manual will typically provide a recommended replacement interval for the cabin air filter. This is a good starting point, often suggesting replacement every 12,000 to 15,000 miles or once a year. We at Crown City Tire Auto Care generally advise following these guidelines as a minimum. Visual Inspection: One of the easiest ways to check your cabin air filter is to visually inspect it. The location of the filter varies depending on your vehicle's make and model, but it's often located behind the glove compartment or under the dashboard. Consult your owner's manual for the exact location. Once you've accessed it, take a look. A clean filter will be relatively white or light gray. If it's visibly dirty, clogged with debris, or dark in color, it's definitely time for a replacement. We often show our customers in Pasadena their old filter versus a new one – the difference can be quite striking! Reduced Airflow: As mentioned earlier, a noticeable decrease in the airflow from your vents is a strong indicator of a clogged cabin air filter. If you find yourself turning the fan up higher than usual to achieve the same level of cooling or heating, have your filter checked. Unpleasant Odors: If you consistently notice musty or other unpleasant smells when your ventilation system is running, your cabin air filter is likely trapping odor-causing particles and needs to be replaced. Allergy Season and Driving Conditions in Pasadena: If you frequently drive in dusty conditions, heavy traffic with exhaust fumes, or during peak allergy seasons in Pasadena, your cabin air filter will likely need more frequent replacement. These conditions expose your filter to a higher volume of contaminants. Time Since Last Replacement: Even if you haven't driven many miles, the filter material can degrade over time and lose its effectiveness. If it's been over a year since your last cabin air filter replacement, it's a good idea to have it checked, especially considering the air quality in and around Pasadena. What Happens During a Cabin Air Filter Replacement at Crown City Tire Auto Care? When you bring your vehicle to Crown City Tire Auto Care in Pasadena for a cabin air filter replacement, our experienced technicians will: Locate the Cabin Air Filter: We'll identify the precise location of your vehicle's cabin air filter based on its make and model. Remove the Old Filter: We'll carefully remove the old, dirty filter. You'll likely be surprised at the amount of debris it has collected! Inspect the Housing: We'll check the filter housing for any signs of damage or excessive buildup. Install a New, High-Quality Filter: We use high-quality cabin air filters that meet or exceed manufacturer specifications, ensuring optimal filtration and airflow. Verify Proper Airflow: After installing the new filter, we'll test your vehicle's ventilation system to ensure proper airflow and functionality. Investing in Your In-Car Air Quality with Crown City Tire Auto Care Replacing your cabin air filter is a relatively inexpensive yet highly impactful maintenance task. It's a simple way to improve the air quality inside your vehicle, enhance the performance of your HVAC system, and contribute to a more comfortable and healthier driving experience, especially here in Pasadena. At Crown City Tire Auto Care in Pasadena, we're committed to providing comprehensive auto care services, and that includes ensuring the air you breathe in your car is clean and fresh. Don't wait until you notice strong odors or drastically reduced airflow. Make it a habit to have your cabin air filter checked regularly as part of your routine maintenance. We understand that life in Pasadena can be busy, and it's easy to overlook these smaller maintenance items. That's why we're here to help. Our friendly team at Crown City Tire Auto Care is always ready to answer your questions and provide expert advice on all your automotive needs. We believe that informed drivers make better decisions about their vehicle care, and we're here to be your trusted partner on the road. So, the next time you're thinking about your car's maintenance, remember the "dirty truth" about your cabin air filter. It's a small investment that can make a big difference in your driving comfort and well-being. Let the professionals at Crown City Tire Auto Care in Pasadena help you breathe easier on every journey.
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