What Mechanics Notice About Cars That Most Drivers Miss
Warning signs Arizona drivers should catch before they become expensive repairs
Reviewed by Dustin Norris, Gemba Automotive ASE-Certified Advisor
In Arizona, keeping your vehicle in running order requires a little more than just regular oil changes and the occasional car wash. At Gemba Automotive, our ASE-Certified Technicians can usually spot a problem before the hood is even fully open. After years of working on vehicles in Arizona heat, there are certain warning signs we notice almost immediately that most drivers never think twice about.
By looking over your car with a little expert knowledge, you will be able to notice the same small things we do and help prevent future breakdowns and save yourself money on costly repairs.
What Do Dashboard Warning Lights Mean? (And Why You Shouldn't Ignore Them)
Let's be honest, we have all done it ... You're late to work or picking the kids up from school when a dash light comes on and you think to yourself, "oh, I'll just deal with this later because the car seems fine right now." We go about our day and eventually forget or the seriousness of it wears off. Most drivers don't realize the dashboard warnings only show up when something has already started to develop. By the time a warning light comes on, the problem usually already exists, the car is just finally alerting you to it.
One of the most common and ignored dash lights is the Check Engine Light. Yes, it requires more than popping the hood and "checking the engine." The great news is that any car made after 1996 is equipped with an OBD-II port which can be used to run the diagnostics and determine what caused the light to turn on in the first place, which can range from a loose gas cap to engine misfire or sensor failure. We've seen everything from loose gas caps to complete ignition failures trigger the same light, which is why ignoring it almost never saves money in the long run.
Other common dashboard warning lights include the Oil Pressure Warning, indicating your vehicle has a low oil level or a failing oil pump; the Engine Temperature Warning, which means the engine is likely overheating (or about to); the Battery Charging System light tells you that your alternator is not charging properly or there is an electrical fault somewhere in the system; the Brake Warning light can mean there is low brake fluid, worn pads or a hydraulic issue that needs to be serviced; the Tire Pressure Monitoring System light means that one or more tires is underinflated or there is a fault within the system, such as a sensor not working; if the ABS light turns on that means the anti-lock braking system is disabled; the Traction Control light comes on when the system is off or malfunctioning.
Car Fluid Leaks Explained: What Each Color and Spot Means
One of the easiest ways a car asks for help is by leaking something onto your driveway and at Gemba Automotive, we recommend paying attention to them. Fluid leaks are one of the easiest ways your vehicle tells you something needs to be serviced, and the color, smell and the location of the leak can tell you a lot about that is going on.
One of the most common leaks are engine oil leaks, typically found under the engine area near the front of the vehicle. They look brown or black, slick and greasy and can indicate worn gaskets around the valve cover, the oil pan or worn seals. In Arizona, small leaks become big leaks quickly because extreme heat hardens seals and gaskets faster than most people realize.
Other leaks we see include coolant leaks - often bright green, pink, orange or blue - located at the front of the car under the radiator; transmission fluid leaks will look red or dark reddish-brown and usually be found in the middle of the vehicle; brake fluid will usually be light yellow to brown, thin and oily and can be found near the wheels or under the brake master cylinder; power steering fluid can be reddish or amber, similar to the transmission fluid, but is often found near the front of the engine or under the steering area; while a fuel leak will be clear or slightly amber with a strong fuel smell. Fuel leaks are not something to "watch and wait on." In Arizona heat, that's a legitimate fire risk as gasoline is extremely flammable.
Why Does My Car Smell Weird? Common Car Smells and What They Mean
Mechanics can usually tell a lot about a vehicle before diagnostics even begin, sometimes just from the smell. Leaks and smells can go together. If you haven't noticed any leaks on your driveway, you may have noticed a smell. Certain smells coming from your car are early warning signs that something is wearing out, overheating or leaking and needs attention. The key is identifying what the smell indicates.
The most common smells we encounter are a sweet, syrup-like smell indicating a coolant leak, burning oil smell (slightly smoky, burnt grease) that could be caused by an oil leak dripping onto hot engine parts, a rotten egg or sulfur smell could be a catalytic converter or fuel system issue, a burnt rubber smell could be caused by a slipping belt or hose touching hot engine parts, a musty or moldy smell - especially when the A/C is on - could indicate mold or bacteria in the system, burning plastic or an electrical smell could be wiring melting and burning or an overheating electrical component that is short circuiting, and lastly a hot brake smell could be caused by overheating brakes, like when you're constantly using them on the downhill drive home from a weekend in Flagstaff. This becomes especially common after monsoon season when moisture gets trapped in the system.
What Does Uneven Tire Wear Mean? How to Read Your Tires Like a Mechanic
Before we even hook up equipment, tire wear patterns already tell us a story about how the vehicle is being driven and maintained. Uneven tire wear is one of the fastest ways to spot suspension problems, alignment issues, or incorrect tire pressure before they turn into expensive repairs. During Phoenix summers, hot pavement magnifies tire problems fast especially during freeway driving. Depending on where the wear is located on the tire, our mechanics will be able to tell if you have been driving on over-inflated tires or under-inflated tires. The weather can heavily influence tire pressure, as our cold desert winters will cause tire pressure to drop, and summer will cause it to increase. Additionally, we will be able to tell if it's time to replace your tires if the tread on the tire has worn down and your tires look more like smooth drag slicks on a race car than when they were new with patterns and grooves to help grip the road.
Why Is There Corrosion on My Car Battery? What It Means and How to Fix It
Arizona batteries don't usually die gracefully; they give small warning signs first. When you pop the hood on your vehicle, one of the first things our mechanics will look at is the battery and for signs of corrosion. Corrosion can often be seen as the white, blue or greenish buildup around the battery terminals - it's formed when the battery fluid evaporates or leaks out of the battery casing and reacts with the surrounding metal. The buildup can block the flow of electricity and cause additional strain on the battery and charging system - symptoms include dim headlights, flickering interior lights or inconsistent power to things like the radio. The buildup around the terminals can also make it harder to start your vehicle, and overall accelerates battery wear, effectively reducing the batteries lifespan. Over time, that corrosion can also eat away at the metal on the terminals. If you notice corrosion starting to build, don't ignore it. In Phoenix heat, battery problems tend to snowball quickly.
Car Overheating in Arizona? What Dirty Coolant Is Doing to Your Engine
Dirty coolant is one of those problems drivers rarely think about until the car overheats on the side of the freeway in July. Your coolant is basically your engine's sweat system. When it stops working right, things overheat fast in Arizona. If the coolant is dirty, it could indicate it is contaminated with rust, scale or debris that makes it lose its efficiency, causing your engine to run hotter than it should, and can lead to overheating. Dirty coolant also restricts flow through the radiator and cooling passages, which means your engine can't regulate temperature properly anymore. Every summer we see overheating issues that started months earlier with neglected coolant. Even if you can't see physical debris, dirty coolant indicates there are particles within it. Those particles are abrasive and can damage the water pump seals along with other components, leading to leaks or a complete failure. Additionally, old or dirty coolant can become acidic over time which can eat away at necessary components like the radiator, the water pump, or the heater core from the inside out.
Brakes Vibrating or Shaking? Here's What Your Car Is Telling You
One of the most common things people come in to our repair shop for is vibrations in the brakes, which is your car's way of telling you something is wearing unevenly or overheating. We see this all the time after Phoenix drivers go through long periods of stop-and-go traffic in extreme heat. In most cases, vibration from brakes is usually a sign of uneven contact somewhere in the braking system. One of the most common things could be warped rotors. When brake rotors heat up and cool unevenly, such as when you slam on your brakes, they can develop slight waves in them that are felt as a pulsing or shaking, sometimes felt in the steering wheel, when braking from a higher rate of speed. Brake pads wear down and the material build up on the rotor and cause vibrations when you brake. Another common issue is worn or uneven brake pads that can cause irregular pressure and lead to a shuddering sensation while driving. A seized or sticking brake caliper can also cause shaking if it isn't releasing properly. Some people drive with warning lights on for months because "the car still feels fine." Then the Arizona heat hits and the problem escalates fast.
Car A/C Not Blowing Hard? What Weak Airflow Means
In Arizona, weak airflow feels a lot worse than it does in other states because your A/C system is constantly fighting extreme cabin temperatures. Most people assume weak airflow means they need refrigerant, but airflow problems are often caused by restriction inside the ventilation system itself. Weak airflow isn't really about how hot or cold the air coming out of the system is, it's about how well the air can move through the system. When there is a drop in airflow, it usually means something is blocking, restricting or failing in the system. Some of the most common causes of weak airflow include a clogged cabin air filter, a failing blower motor (which pushes air into the cabin), the blower motor resistor (which controls fan speeds), a blocked or dirty evaporator core, blend door or vent door issues (controls where the air flows).