Most car owners dread taking their car into an auto shop for repairs. Not only is it hard to find a reliable repair shop, but taking your car in for repairs is also time-consuming. Even a simple repair could take hours to complete depending on how many vehicles are being serviced at once.
But you shouldn’t put off getting your car fixed simply to avoid the inconvenience of sitting in a crowded waiting room at an auto shop. There is another solution: a mobile auto mechanic.
A mobile auto mechanic is a technician who travels to your home or workplace in order to provide quality repair and maintenance services. Hiring a mobile auto mechanic ensures you can get your car fixed without interrupting your schedule.
When should you use a mobile mechanic service to get your car repaired? Here are a few common car issues that might indicate it’s time to contact a mobile mechanic for help:
Braking Issues
Keeping your brake pads in good working condition is crucial to your safety, which is why it’s so important to know when it’s time to get them replaced.
Your vehicle shouldn’t make any strange noises when you apply pressure to the brake pedal. If you hear a squeaking or squealing noise when you step on the brakes, this could indicate that your brake pads are wearing thin and need to be replaced.
Listening for an unpleasant sound isn’t the only way to identify brake pad issues. Damaged or worn down brake pads can also cause the steering wheel and brake pedal to vibrate excessively. If you feel the steering wheel or brake pedal start to shake, you may need to get your brake pads replaced.
Keep an eye on the lights in your dashboard, too. Some newer vehicles are designed with brake pad wear indicator warning lights that turn on when the brake pads have worn down to a certain level. Look for an illuminated circle surrounded by three dash marks on each side. There may or may not be an exclamation point within the circle, depending on the make and model of the car. If this light turns on, it’s time for some new brake pads.
If you spot any of these signs, it’s highly recommended to contact a mobile auto mechanic to assist you with a brake inspection and brake pad replacement. This way, you won’t have to put yourself at risk by driving a vehicle with brake issues to an auto repair shop.
Your Car Won’t Start
Not being able to start your car is a moment that every car owner dreads. If your vehicle won’t start, you may try to jump it on your own. But a jump start isn’t always the solution. If your car still won’t start after jumping it—or if you don’t have jumper cables or another vehicle to provide the jump—you should contact a mobile auto mechanic.
The mechanic will run some tests to identify the cause of the problem. If a jump start isn’t successful, the problem could be a failing battery. The battery sends electricity to your vehicle’s starter motor, so you won’t be able to start your car if the battery isn’t working. If this is the issue, the mechanic may need to replace the battery.
The starter motor, or starter, also plays an important role in starting your car. If the starter fails, the car won’t start even if the battery is functioning properly. So, if the mechanic does not see an issue with your battery, they will check out the starter next. If the starter isn’t working properly, the mechanic may need to replace it.
The problem could also be a failing alternator, which is responsible for recharging your car’s battery. If the alternator is to blame, the mechanic can replace it to get your car up and running again.
It’s important note that mobile mechanics and roadside assistance are two different services. Roadside assistance, such as AAA, can assist you when you are stuck on the side of the road or freeway. They are equipped with tow trucks that are ready to tow you to a nearby shop. Mobile mechanics typically do not provide roadside assistance, as they may not be equipped with towing capabilities. Instead, mobile mechanics can service your vehicle and provide a wide range of repairs at your home or workplace.
Misfiring Engine
A misfire is one of the most common types of engine problems. An engine misfire is characterized by hesitation or shaking when the car is turned on. It may feel as if the engine is briefly stumbling before quickly regaining its pace. If you believe your engine is misfiring, get it looked at right away. If you fail to quickly address this issue, the problem can get worse and lead to serious damage.
A mechanic will need to closely inspect your vehicle to figure out why the engine is misfiring. Problems with the vehicle’s emissions equipment or sensors could cause the engine to misfire, although it is rare.
An engine misfire is more commonly caused by a problem with the ignition system, which includes the control module, crankshaft position sensor, coil packs, and spark plugs. The mechanic may need to repair or replace one or more of these parts to fix the problem.
For example, if the spark plugs are worn down, they may need to be replaced to prevent the engine from misfiring.
Oil Change
One of the most important parts of maintaining your vehicle is getting your oil changed. Engine oil lubricates the various moving parts of your vehicle’s engine to keep them running smoothly.
The oil also helps collect debris before it enters the engine. Over time, the oil will collect a great deal of debris, which could prevent it from doing its job effectively. An oil change prevents this problem by replacing the dirty oil with new, clean oil.
Typically, most cars will need an oil change every 5,000, 7,500, or 10,000 miles. But every vehicle is unique, so you should read your owner’s manual to find out how often you need to get your vehicle’s oil changed.
Some vehicles are designed with dashboard lights that illuminate when it’s time for an oil change. But if your vehicle does not have this light, it’s your responsibility to keep a close eye on your odometer. If you reach the 5,000-, 7,500-, or 10,000-mile mark, it’s time to call a mobile mechanic for an oil change.
Car is Pulling to One Side
Have you noticed your vehicle start to veer to the left or right? If your car is pulling to one side, you may want to schedule an appointment with a mobile mechanic at your earliest convenience.
This problem could indicate that your vehicle is in need of a tire rotation. As its name suggests, a tire rotation involves moving a vehicle’s tires from one position to another. Typically, the front tires are moved to the rear and the rear tires are moved to the front.
Rotating the tires ensures that the tires wear down evenly, which will keep your vehicle running smoothly. If some vehicles have less tread than others, the car could start to pull to one side due to the imbalance.
Of course, there are other issues that could cause your car to pull to the left or right, including an improper wheel alignment or low tire pressure. A mobile automotive mechanic can carefully inspect your vehicle to diagnose the problem and make the necessary repairs.
Light is Out
Your car’s exterior lighting system consists of many different types of lights, including headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signal lights. This lighting system illuminates the road at night and increases your visibility. Your lights make you visible to other drivers and let them know when you are slowing down or preparing to turn.
There’s no doubt that a fully functioning exterior lighting system is crucial to your safety.
Because of this, it’s important to replace defective or burned-out bulbs as soon as possible. If one of your vehicle’s lights is not working properly, a mobile mechanic can travel to your home or workplace to quickly make the replacement.
Not only is this safer than driving to a repair shop with a broken light, but it also ensures you won’t get pulled over and ticketed for driving with a broken light.
Fluid Leak
Seeing a puddle of fluid underneath your vehicle could be a cause for concern. It all depends on the type of fluid that is leaking.
A puddle of clear fluid is typically nothing to worry about. It is most likely water draining from your vehicle’s air conditioner system.
But if the fluid is a bright green, orange, pink, or blue, it could be coolant. In this case, it’s in your best interest to contact a mobile mechanic for help. The mechanic may need to replace a small part of the vehicle’s cooling system, such as a hose or gasket. But in more serious cases, a coolant leak could indicate a failing radiator, which likely means the entire radiator will need to be replaced.
You should also call a mobile mechanic if the fluid is red or brown. Fluid that is red or brown can be either power steering fluid or transmission fluid. If it’s the former, the power steering pump may need to be replaced. But if it’s the latter, you may need to replace your vehicle’s transmission lines, assembly, or mount as soon as possible.
If you spot any type of fluid leak—with the exception of clear fluid—it’s best to play it safe by contacting a mobile auto mechanic.
High Engine Temperature
It’s important to monitor your vehicle’s engine temperature gauge, which measures the temperature of your engine’s coolant. The coolant is responsible for removing heat from the engine to keep it running smoothly. If the coolant gets too hot, it won’t be able to absorb as much heat from your engine, which means the engine could quickly overheat.
It’s not wise to continue driving your vehicle if the temperature gauge spikes to “H” or into the red zone. Driving more than a short distance could seriously damage the engine, so it’s best to pull over and turn off the vehicle as soon as possible and contact roadside assistance for a tow.
If the engine is overheating, it’s most likely a problem with the radiator. Sometimes, replacing the radiator hose or cooling fan will fix the problem. But in other cases, the entire radiator may need to be replaced to address the issue. Overheating can also occur as a result of a faulty thermostat, which is a valve located in the engine’s cooling system.
Use caution if you believe your engine is overheating. Do not try to diagnose the problem on your own. You are at risk of being sprayed with hot steam or smoke if you open the hood when the engine is overheating, so it’s best to wait for a professional to arrive to figure out the problem.
Check Engine Light
Your vehicle’s check engine light can turn on when you least expect it. If your check engine light turns on, there’s no need to panic, but it’s best to get your vehicle looked at by a mobile mechanic as soon as possible.
The check engine light could come on for a number of different reasons. Something as minor as a loose gas cap could trigger the check engine light. To fix this problem, simply tighten the cap on your gas tank.
But this light could also indicate a more serious issue. For example, the check engine light could turn on as a result of failed oxygen sensors. If these sensors aren’t working properly, your engine will consume more fuel than necessary to power your vehicle, so you will get fewer miles per gallon of gas. If it’s not repaired, this problem could also damage your vehicle’s spark plugs and catalytic converter, which will affect its performance.
Since a check engine light could indicate a few different issues, you should never assume that the issue is minor. Instead, schedule an appointment with a mechanic, so they can diagnose the problem and make repairs, if necessary.
While this isn’t an exhaustive list of car problems that may arise, these are some common symptoms to look for when determining whether or not you are in need of a mobile mechanic. Then, simply go about your day while a mobile mechanic works to resolve these issues and get your vehicle back up and running!