Sometimes car trouble is obvious, but other times it’s hard to know if a strange noise, smell, or warning light is a serious problem. We’ve all been there. Every time you wonder: Is this serious? Should I go to the garage? Am I overreacting?

You can notice many potential problems just by using your senses. We’ll discuss common ones here and how you can spot them without any fancy tools.

Problems You Can See: Tire Wear

Your tires will wear down no matter what you do. They’ve been constructed to give you a comfortable ride and keep you safe on the road. Summer treads are fairly stiff to move water through them and withstand the hot pavement. Winter tires, on the other hand, are softer to grip the road in wintery conditions.

Tires can wear in several patterns, with each one giving you a clue to its problem:

• centre of the tire: overinflation
• either edge: underinflation
• cupping (alternating low and high arcs): suspension issues
• patchy or spotty: unbalanced tires
• shoulder or one-sided: alignment issues

If your tires are overinflated, releasing a little air can fix the issue fast. Use a tire gauge to help you measure the correct amount of air. For underinflated tire, pump air into them, using your tire gauge to ensure correct pressure.

However, if either of these problems persists, you may have a minor leak or other issue, so a trip to the garage is needed. Significant tire wear caused by either of these problems may also necessitate a visit to inspect your tires.

For any other type of tire wear, get your car repaired. Save your tires from rapid wear and you protect vital vehicle components like your suspension from serious damage.

Problems You Can Hear: Squealing and Clunking

Many components in your vehicle squeal when something’s amiss.

If you hear squealing from under the hood, this could be your alternator. This component converts mechanical energy from your engine into electrical energy. It powers, for example, your lights and HVAC.

If you hear squealing from your wheels, worn brake pads are the likely culprit. Should the sound, however, be more of a teeth-grinding screeching, then pull over and call roadside assistance. Your brakes are now metal-on-metal and will not save you from an emergency.

Clunking, however, points to problems with your engine, suspension, and even HVAC system:

• Engine issues can include misfires and worn engine mounts, both of which are dangerous.
• Suspension issues will make driving more difficult.
• Clunking from your HVAC system suggests issues with your fan and will make the cabin uncomfortable.

Problems You Can Feel: Vibrations and Temperature

Vibrations as you drive, air at the wrong temperature from your vents, or too much heat from your hood are all signs something’s wrong.

Not good.

If your steering wheel is vibrating, especially at higher speeds, it may be crooked. Other symptoms of this problem include driving with the steering wheel turned slightly off centre and your vehicle frequently pulling to the side.

Vibration originating in your wheels can mean several things. If your brake pedal vibrates when you press it, you may have warped rotors. A vehicle that vibrates and has confusing signs of tire wear can suggest issues with the suspension.

In all these situations, a trip to the garage is necessary. A malfunctioning steering wheel, braking system, or suspension can cause serious problems later, including an accident.

Help Around the Corner

Should you notice any ongoing issues, book your vehicle for an inspection right away. As tempting as it might be to hold off on paying for repairs, letting a problem worsen will, at best, result in a more expensive repair and, at worst, lead to an accident. The technicians at your local AUTOPRO service centre will advise you on the best course of action to bring your car back into working order.