Schell Distributing Inc

OUR BLOG

5 Warning Signs That Your Vehicle Needs an Engine Repair

When caring for your car, it's vital to recognize when it may need an engine repair; hence, this post by Schell Distributing Inc. in Idaho Falls lists key signs of potential issues under your hood.

5 Signs That Your Vehicle Needs Engine Repair

Your Check Engine Light Comes On

As you might know, your dashboard panel displays several lights and gauges indicating the speed of your vehicle, the amount of fuel in your tank, your engine's revolutions per minute, and other key details about your car's performance. Among all the yellow, red, and green lights, there's an indicator called check engine light, which only lits up when there are issues under the hood, and the vehicle needs an engine repair. Now, there's a wide range of issues leading up to the check engine light coming on. For instance, when it lights up and stays continuously illuminated or flashing slowly, it means there's a loose gas cap under your hood or some other minor issue. However, once this light starts flashing rapidly, chances are your vehicle has an engine misfire or other dangerous issue. Nonetheless, the check engine light is a warning sign; hence, you should call your trusted mechanic whenever it lights up.

Explore the full line of AMSOIL products by clicking here, and place an order on high-quality oils and lubricants to give your engine the protection it needs to perform at peak level. For more information about the most reliable synthetic oil in Idaho Falls, reach out to the experts at Schell Distributing Inc. by calling them at (208) 524-0322.

Your Vehicle is Consuming More Fuel

Is your vehicle's fuel efficiency decreasing rapidly and suddenly? If so, that could likely indicate that something is not working as expected under your vehicle's hood. For instance, you could have faulty spark plugs, a clogged air filter, damaged fuel injectors, or other issues negatively impacting your motor's combustion process. Regardless of the cause, it's super important to have your engine inspected, diagnosed, and repaired by your trusted mechanic if you notice your tank of gas lasts way less than before.

Unusual Sounds

As a car owner, you are undoubtedly familiar with the sounds your engine makes when starting, accelerating, braking, and more. That's why you should take notice if you begin to hear strange knocking noises or any other sound getting progressively louder, as these unfamiliar sounds could indicate an issue with your engine. Typically, uncommon engine sounds arise due to poor lubrication; however, there are instances where they result from other issues. For example, a rattling sound during acceleration could result from having oxygen and fuel igniting prematurely in the engine cylinder; likewise, a rumbling sound coming from the engine's crankshaft could be the consequence of having low oil pressure damaging the crankshaft's bearing surfaces. On the whole, make sure to keep your ears keen for unusual sounds indicating potential problems with your engine.

Keep your vehicle in safe working order by choosing high-quality lubricants for its engine maintenance, like AMSOIL's Signature Series 5W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil. Call Schell Distributing Inc. at (208) 524-0322 or visit AMSOIL's online store to place an order on the most effective synthetic oil in Idaho Falls.

Unfamiliar Smells

Have you ever noticed a burning smell coming from your engine before? If you have, you might already know that's a telltale sign that there's a problem under the hood. Simply put, there are a lot of materials in your engine that can emit a distinctive smell whenever they are subjected to high temperatures; for instance, fluids, automotive foams, rubbers, electrical wiring, and more. The most recognizable smells indicating engine issues include the burning oil smell caused by hidden leaks, the burning rubber whiff when loose hoses are squeezed against the engine's hot parts, and the stench of rotten eggs when the fuel system malfunctions. If you become aware of any unfamiliar engine smell, take your vehicle to the mechanic as soon as possible to figure out what the issue is before it gets worse.

Finally, Heavy Exhaust Smoke

It's safe to say that no car owner wants to see a dense cloud of smoke coming out from their vehicle's tailpipe, not only because it looks and smells bad but also because it's a clear indication that something is not working correctly inside the engine. When the engine is healthy, the exhaust system emits light smoke that looks like vapor; however, once an issue arises, smoke may get thick, and its color may turn gray, blue, or black, depending on the issue. That's why you should pay close attention to your engine smoke. If you notice something's off with the exhaust system, make sure to call your mechanic to have the problem diagnosed and fixed.