Maintaining your vehicle at home is a satisfying way to keep your motoring costs down. With the right knowledge and products even someone who isn't very mechanically inclined can take care of many of the smaller issues in everyday driving. Sometimes, however, car issues can be too specialized or complex for the average motorist to take care of by themselves and it becomes time to take your car to the pros. Below you'll find three major warning signs that you need to get to a mechanic ASAP, as well as some of the potential causes behind them.
Engine and Drivetrain Problems
Let's start at the beginning. If your car won't even turn over and start up, then the rest of the problems on this list won't come into play. The simplest cause of this issue is a dead battery, which you can remedy with jumper cables, and the instructions that come printed on their packaging. If jumping the car doesn't work, you may have a larger problem with your ignition system. It's advisable to take your car into the shop at this point because finding the root of the problem will likely involve removing a few parts from your engine. Whether it's dead spark plugs or electrical problems, it's better to have it dealt with by a professional. Likewise, engine surging where the revs rise and fall can mean a problem with your fuel injectors, which are fairly deep within your motor. It's unwise to drive around with a surging engine, as this burns more gas and can cause unintended acceleration. Drivetrain issues are another major issue requiring professional attention. Everybody fears the dreaded transmission repairs, so if certain gears won't engage or they shift at the wrong times you should definitely take your car to the qualified mechanics here at Hans Imports INC.Vibration While Driving
This issue can be caused by damaged drivetrain components, but can also stem from misaligned wheels or unbalanced or flat tires. If you feel any vibration or shuddering as you drive along, you should get to a mechanic as soon as you can. At its worst, this issue can lessen your control over the car, potentially causing accidents. This will also wear out your tires more quickly than if everything was straight and true. Unwanted vibrations put stress on important (and costly) components like suspension and brakes while decreasing gas mileage, so it's smart to take your car in as soon as these issues develop.Poor Braking Performance
Your brakes are vital to keeping you safe on the road and should definitely be cared for by a professional, unless you're absolutely sure you know what you're doing. Common signs of issues with your car's braking system include squeaking or squealing when the brakes are applied, or the brakes feeling spongy and failing to slow your vehicle properly. Squealing brakes are caused by the brake pads wearing through the pad surface to the metal underneath. At this point the metal behind your brake pad is coming into contact with the brake rotor. This can be disastrous and produce unwanted heat, reduced stopping power, and cause you to have to buy new rotors as well as the relatively cheap pads. Spongey and weak brakes can mean there's a problem with your master cylinder, which converts the mechanical pressure of you pressing the pedal into hydraulic pressure to apply the brakes. In either case, it's best to have your brakes seen to by the professional mechanics here at Hans Imports INC.There are instances where car maintenance is simple and easy, but if you notice any of these issues developing, it's best to take your car in for a qualified mechanic's checkup so the problems can be remedied before they turn into much more serious issues. Hans Imports INC has the tools and expertise to have you safely back on the road in no time at all.
Partners
What our clients are saying about us
We have established longterm and stable partnerships with various clients thanks to our excellence in solving their automotive needs!
I've trusted Hans Imports on Post Road in North Kingstown with my vehicles for multiple repairs & services and I can't recommend them highly enough. Dave and Omar are proof that old-school, honest, exceptional customer service still exists. Over the years they've taken care of everything from a broken turbo strap on my 2013 VW Eos and my 90,000-mile service to diagnosing and replacing a failed fuel pump. There was even another repair recently that I can't remember....that's how consistently they've been my first call whenever something comes up. Every time, the work has been done right, the communication has been excellent, and I've never felt like I was being sold repairs I didn't need. That's tough to find these days. As a full-time wedding photographer, my vehicle isn't just transportation, it's my livelihood. Summer is my busiest season, and being without a reliable vehicle simply isn't an option. Knowing I can count on Dave and Omar to get me back on the road quickly and correctly gives me tremendous peace of mind. They REALLY pulled me out of a major jam last week and I'm eternally grateful. I don't think any other shop in Rhode Island would have done what they did for me! If you're looking for knowledgeable mechanics who genuinely care about their customers and stand behind their work, Hans Imports is the place to go. Honest, dependable, and incredibly skilled. The kind of service that's becoming harder and harder to find. Bonus: there's always a lot of fun, laughter, and a cute dog that likes to be pet at the shop!
The best part of owning an aging British car was knowing Omar & Dave would help in a pinch. They are truly passionate about cars and helping people and the reports they produce after any service are repair are like university dissertations. Their passion for cars shows through, and they have never failed to be thorough and honest with us - including letting us know when it was time to stop throwing good money after bad and retire our car. We are very grateful to them and couldn't recommend Hans Imports enough.