It isn’t always a good idea to push your vehicle if it is having problems. This can open you up to dangerous conditions such as a vehicle fire or automobile accident. Demore’s Automotive recommends you play it safe and call for a tow truck rather than continue to drive your car, truck, or utility vehicle if you are experiencing any of the following problems.
Brake Problems
If you have ever thought about what it would be like if you couldn’t stop your automobile, you understand how dangerous it is to drive when you are having brake problems. One thing that will make your brakes fail is heat. If the brakes smell hot and squeal, they are overheating.
Control/Handling Issues
Controlling your automobile should feel the same all the time. If you are having difficulties handling your vehicle, it is a good idea to stop driving it. You don’t want to get stuck in an intersection unable to make a turn or end up hitting someone because your vehicle sways into them.
Excess Exhaust
Excess vehicle exhaust is a sign of a serious engine problem. This includes the engine burning fuel if the exhaust is black, the engine burning oil if the exhaust is blue or gray, and the engine burning coolant if the exhaust is white. You shouldn’t see your vehicle’s exhaust.
Overheating
If your car is overheating, stop driving it. Even turning on the heater full blast will only cool down the engine so much. If you continue to drive your automobile, you run the risk of blowing your radiator cap, the head gasket, the exhaust manifold, and cracking the engine block.
Strange Smell
You should never drive your automobile if you smell strange odors such as gasoline or rotten eggs. This could be a sign that you have a problem with your vehicle’s catalytic converter and you may have carbon monoxide in your interior without even realizing it.
Strange Sounds
If your vehicle is making strange sounds, such as constant knocking, it’s a bad idea to continue to drive it. The knocking sounds could be the pistons clanking against the cylinder walls. As you can imagine, this can cause serious damage to the cylinder block.
Transmission Trouble
Finally, if you’re having transmission problems, it’s a good idea to stop driving your automobile. The more you damage your transmission, the more you run the risk of needing to get the system rebuilt. We won’t lie, this is expensive.
Demore’s Automotive in Palmer, MA, offers towing services to our customers. Call us today if you need a tow.
