What are the signs of a dying car?
Everything comes to an end, eventually. Well, perhaps this isn’t the best way to start writing an article, but it’s important to know that your vehicle won’t last forever, even if you’ve spent a lot of money on it. While some car makers would rather you picture their automobiles as indestructible and created for all occasions, this simply isn’t true.
Maintenance should be a regular occurrence when you’re driving a used or old car. Not to mention that you should also pay attention when your vehicle picks up a new trait, which might be making a clanky noise here and coughing smoke there. These could be signs of a dying car.
But many other things may indicate your automobile’s impending downfall, and being able to recognize them makes it easier to determine the time for an upgrade.
We’re here to save you from being stranded! Here’s a list of telltale signs of a dying car that can help you decide whether you should fix it or ditch it. Let’s get started!
1. A terminal case of rust
When rust attacks the fenders, panels, trunk, and other relatively benign areas of the vehicle, the metal-munching oxidation can be mitigated and tackled. That’s surface rust.
But when rust attacks vital parts like the shock towers, suspension mounting points, fuel or frame, and brake lines, we’re talking about structural rust—and this is one of the most common signs of a dying car.
There’s no estimated repair cost because there’s really no solution when it comes to rust that has progressed to that level. If you don’t catch the rust when it starts, it will continue to get worse. Water leaks also tend to make things worse in that they sit in hidden spots, causing corrosion.
2. Your dashboard is a light show
According to experts, one of the earliest signs of a dying car will often be found on the dashboard. The warning indicator lights that adorn your dash are meant to let you know there’s an issue and which systems have been affected.
Some—like the tire pressure indicator and the fuel warning light—are there just for you. Others—most infamously the feared check engine light—require a trip to the mechanic. When more than one warning light pops on at once, however, or when they stay lit or keep coming back, repairs may be too expensive and pointless.
Ignoring those little warning lights could spell more trouble down the road, so it’s important to do something when they appear. But keep in mind that this is often one of the signs of a dying car.
3. Strange smoke
Smoke billowing out of your exhaust is also among the signs of a dying car. This isn’t always the case, but it’s important to pay attention to any weird smoke your car may emit. Experts say that the smoke coming from the tailpipe is a could-be-nothing-could-be-something indicator that something needs to be fixed.
It may be something small, like burning oil, or it could be a hidden engine killer. In fact, a lot depends on the color. For instance, blue smoke could indicate an issue with bad piston rings, valve seals, or even busted pistons.
On the other hand, thick white smoke likely means your car is burning coolant, which could mean there are some serious problems like damage to the head gasket or the cylinder head.
If it’s the head gasket, you can expect to pay about $1,500 to have it fixed—times two for the cylinder head.
4. Knocking sounds coming from the engine
According to car experts, the knocking sound is quite predictable for an old vehicle. If your car makes this sound, it may be the automotive grim reaper announcing its arrival. Or it may be the camshaft that is no longer in sync with the pistons.
In fact, it could be something as simple as an issue with the octane fuel or the wrong spark plugs. Basically, knocking sounds can indicate many things, which is why it’s important to take your vehicle to a mechanic. But don’t get your hopes up, as these sounds are often signs of a dying car.
According to the National Automobile Dealers Association’s NADA Guides, if that sound is the result of an issue that calls for an engine rebuild, you can expect to spend a good chunk of money—between $2,500 and $4,000.
Read on to discover other signs of a dying car!
5. Your car shudders
Convulsing, shuddering, and jerking while driving, especially during shifting, is one of the signs of a dying car. According to experts, this often indicates transmission issues.
However, just as with a knock in the engine, it’s not always a cause to panic prematurely. Sometimes it could be something as simple as spent transmission fluid that requires a change. But it could also indicate several other bigger issues, like a bad clutch, failed solenoids, or worn-out gears or bands.
If you have to replace the transmission, it will cost you over $5,000. Don’t expect that the transmission repair will come cheaper, as it’s also one of the costliest fixes you can suffer through.
6. Slipping transmission
As mentioned above, transmission problems are among the common signs of a dying car. If you notice braking or violent acceleration while driving your vehicle (and especially if all that shuddering and jerking is accompanied by some unpleasant grinding noises), it’s probably time to get a new car.
Also, a slow response from the auto transmission is another of the signs that your vehicle is about to die. When it starts losing gears, you can still drive the car for a few extra miles. But you’ll be just delaying the ultimate consequence. The solution in this case is to change the transmission or buy a new car.
7. It’s leaking fluids
Moving forward with the list of signs of a dying car, experts say that liquid dripping from your vehicle is a serious thing and shouldn’t be ignored. Much like the human body, your automobile requires precious fluids to work and stay alive.
If you have to refill any of your vehicle’s vital fluids—brake, oil, coolant, power steering fluid, etc.—every month, then it’s only a question of when, not if, something will break down.
Keeping your vehicle regularly lubricated with necessary fluids goes a long way toward maintaining your engine. If you skip regular maintenance, it can eventually cause your automobile’s camshaft to be out of sync with the pistons. This leads to the knocking sound we’ve just mentioned.
8. You’ve hit the century mark
When your car reaches that 100,000-mile marker, you should take stock of what you have, particularly if you purchased the vehicle used. Sometimes a car will run for about 175,000 miles, so it’s worth the investment.
However, if you purchase a used car with a body that’s beginning to rust out, you can bet that its complex components were neglected too. So, beware; your pair of wheels won’t survive much longer without these fixes.
Any driver should have a roadside assistance kit in their car, so here are some options you may want to consider.
If you liked our article on signs of a dying car, you may also want to read How to Store Your Car Long-Term: 7 Amazing Tips You Need to Know!
