Many people think that the most important part of car ownership is simply knowing how to operate the car. Although knowing how to be a safe driver is very important, it is also vital that each car owner know the signs that their car is no longer safe to drive. If you drive a car that is faulty you not only endanger yourself and your passengers, but anyone else around you on the road. This is why it is important to know the signs that your car is not safe to drive and get maintenance as soon as you notice the problem. Here are some things you should look for.
1. Slow or Unresponsive Gear Shifting
One of the first signs that your transmission is going out is that the gears are not responding quickly. When you shift from one gear to another you might notice that it takes a second for the gear to actually take. In addition, you may have to try a couple times to really get the gear into place. You might have to shift back and forth to make sure that it is in the proper gear. If you are unsure if your car is having a hard time shifting, try sitting in your driveway and shifting between neutral, drive and reverse. See how long it takes for each gear to respond. If it is taking a while, or if you have to do it a couple times, you might have a problem with your transmission. Take your car to an auto shop like Shiftright Transmissions to get it checked out.
2. Swerving Or Pulling Of The Car
Another dangerous sign is that your car is swerving or pulling to one side while you drive or brake. If it generally happens while you drive this means that there is either a problem with your alignment or the tires. In many cases this can be a simple fix that will protect your car from further problems.
However, if your car is pulling to one side when you brake, this is a much more serious issue. It could mean that one of the sides of your brakes is no longer working properly. You could be driving your car with only one good working brake. If that side were to give out, you could be in serious danger. This is why anytime you notice swerving or pulling you should take it to a mechanic right away to avoid serious problems.
These are just a couple things every car owner should be looking out for.
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