The engine is the heart of your car. If you face an engine problem, especially on a long-distance journey, when you are in the middle of nowhere, or when you are in a hurry to catch a flight or reach a meting, it can become a serious hazard. To avoid such situations, make sure that you regularly check you car for engine problems.

Instructions

Step 1: Keep an eye on the “check engine” light – the yellow light on your dashboard, while driving. If you ignore the warning, expensive components of your car may be damaged.

Step 2: Keep a watch on the temperature needle of our car while driving. Regularly check your automotive heating and cooling system.

Step 3: Regularly maintain your air-conditioning system.

Step 4: Listen for noises coming out of the engine when it is running, no matter whether it is hot or cold. Knocking, tapping or rattling noises are indications that internal engine parts are subject to excessive wear or tear.

Step 5: Start the engine and let it sit idle for a few minutes. Then press the accelerator, a little more than half-way down. Look at the smoke from the exhaust. If grey-blue smoke emits, then excessive oil consumption by the engine is indicated. The emission of black smoke is the sign that engine consumes too much gas and thre might be a problem with the fuel injection.

Step 6: Check the engine oil pressure after starting the engine. If the engine oil pressure gauge indicates excessively low oil pressure then that means that the engine is worn out.

Tips and warnings

Look out for the following:

  * Dense black smoke or white smoke comes out of the exhaust while driving.

  * Engine lacks power on both flat roads and hills.

  * Engine’s power is weak on steep roads.

  * The vehicle trembles when idling.

  * The vehicle jerks when the accelerator is pressed.

  * Engine stalls while idling or accelerating or driving.

  * Engine makes noises when car is running on high speed.

  * Engine continues to run for a few moments even after ignition is turned off.

  * Ticking sounds or squealing noises emit from the engine while driving.

  * At the time of driving, engine backfires.