Without specialized equipment, car owners can still rely on sound, stability of the body, operating feeling and undercarriage signs to detect abnormalities early.
According to a car repair technician at Ninety Eight Auto (Cat Lai ward, Ho Chi Minh City), self-inspection only helps to initially recognize abnormal signs, and does not replace the diagnosis and repair process at the garage.
Hearing unusual noises when the car is running
Car owners should pay attention to the "cộc cộc", "lạch cạch" sounds or impact sounds coming from the undercarriage area, especially when the car is traveling on bad roads, potholes or deceleration troughs. This may be a sign that some suspension system parts or undercarriage connection details are worn, loose or damaged.
However, underground noise can originate from many causes. Therefore, this is just a warning sign and needs to be actually checked.
Observe the balance of the body
Park the car on a flat floor, do not carry the load to one side, then observe from a sufficient distance. If the body is low or abnormally tilted, it is necessary to check the suspension system, tires, tire pressure and load.
The cause may be related to weak springs, subsidence, breakage or some damaged suspension system parts. Do not assume that damaged shock absorbers are the cause of the car body being lowered to one side.
Car owners should also observe tire wear. Uneven tire wear can be due to tire pressure, wheel angle deviation, problem with tires or rims, or wear of suspension and steering system details.
Pay attention to shaking when operating
If the car or steering wheel vibrates abnormally, pay attention to the time it occurs. Vibration at a certain speed range can be related to an imbalance of wheels, tires, rims, or related parts.
If the car vibrates at low speed, vibrates at increased speed or comes with noise, abnormal driving feeling, the car owner should take the car for inspection. The cause may lie in the tires, rims, suspension, steering, powertrain or other parts.
Check for signs of underground fluid
After parking overnight, the car owner should observe the location where the car has just parked to detect abnormal liquid stains. If the liquid is colored or leaves a greasy streak, it is necessary to check to determine the source of leakage.
Not every liquid under the chassis is oil. Condensed water from air conditioners is usually clear, non-greasy and can dry on its own. Meanwhile, oil, coolant water or other liquids have different properties.
Ninety Eight Auto notes that the above four ways only help detect abnormal signs early, without replacing in-depth inspection. When strange noises appear, the body tilts, shakes, or liquid leaks, the car owner should take the car to a professional repair facility for inspection and timely handling.
