Buying a car these days is so easy and it's quite easy to learn how to drive, owing a car makes life more convenient, but it comes with a big price. However, we not talking about how much it cost.
Before you buy your next car (or while you're trying to diagnose an issue with your current one), remember to look for information about specific makes, models, and years. Keep yourself up to date on known manufacturing defects and safety recalls. Because it is more difficult to understand what makes your car work, let alone know how to keep it in tip-top shape. To achieve this, you need to know the most common car problems and how best to deal with them! So check out the most common car problems that will help you become a smart and informed driver.


1. Overindulgent Oil Problems.
The car relies on gas to be able to run the engine and as such, you can hardly do anything if there are fuel problems. When the fuel tank has a problem, this could spell a great danger for your car. However, if you're finding it's needing changes and top-ups more frequently than it should, there might be a problem. Early signs you need to check your oil include a minor dip in performance and the ever-dreaded oil light on your dashboard. When your car is in a particularly dire need of an oil change, you may even start to see corrosion in its engine. Another oil-related complaint is the clogged oil filter. You'll probably see this problem if you've waited too long to change the oil. While modern cars come with systems that are equipped with filter bypasses, It’s a good rule of thumb to change the filter whenever you change the oil.


2. Faulty Battery:
Most car batteries should last about three years or 50,000 miles, because the battery is one of the main sources of power that the car depends on so as to be able to function properly. A dead battery is usually caused by reduced amps – or electrical currents – which naturally decrease as the battery loses its ability to maintain a charge, To be able to keep the battery in great shape, you can use lubricants on the terminals, which protects them against corrosion. Ultimately, you may want to consider the maintenance-free batteries and will serve you for a very long period of time.


3. Faulty Spark Plug.
The plugs are essential for ignition and seem to be quite busy. When a car spark plug is not working properly, they tend to affect the overall performance of the car. The car will consume a whole lot of fuel and will not have the required power if the plugs are worn out. But to maintain this plug you will ensure that the spark plugs are replaced as soon as they wear out. The recommend replacement time for every spark plug is after every 10,000 miles.


4. Smoking Car:
Smoking car is never a good sign. Whether the smoke comes out of the front or the back, smoke from under the hood of a car means you have an overheating engine. In most modern cars, the cooling system is very complex, containing multiple sensors that monitor coolant temperature, flow and other components. Staying on top of radiator flush services and changing the water pump before it breaks are two easy ways to reduce overheating.


5. Damaged Alternator:
An alternator is an electrical generator that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy in the form of alternating current, the alternator or generator is responsible for charging the battery and ensuring the engine is powered.
One of the common causes of the failure of the alternator is when there is a rapid increase of the engine temperature, Even when the car is jump started, the alternator will not facilitate the recharge of the battery and to stop this from happening, you should always ensure that your car has sufficient fluids like water in the radiator and also having a coolant. Regular car servicing will also help in keeping the alternator is great shape.

6. Bad Smell Coming Out of the AC.
If there’s a odors coming out of your air conditioner, then you most likely have a bad AC accumulator!
The air conditioning system is the essential part of the daily commute and road trips during the hot summer month, to prevent the mildew from forming, you have to keep the interior of the AC system dry. Make the habit of turning off the air conditioner without switching off the fan at least 2 to 5 minutes before shutting off the car’s engine. It will keep the system free of moisture.


7. Failed Motor Starter:
The starter in your car is very sensitive and there are a couple of things that may hinder its normal functioning. There common problem that may cause the starter to malfunction include the springs failing as a result of corrosion. There terminals and the solenoid may also fail due to various reasons. The gears that are part of the starter may also get stuck on the sliding shaft.
The ideal solution for the starter is routine maintenance and servicing. This will help in getting rid of the corrosion and also lubricate the gears that may get stuck.


8. Check Engine Lights.
A warning or check engine light is the most common issue for US car, truck and SUV owners. These lights illuminate when the vehicle’s ECU (engine control unit) detects an error code triggered by a sensor. Since there are more than 200 possible warning code, having a professional mechanic complete a warning light inspection is the best way to determine the source and make the right repairs.


9. Worn Brake Pads.
Like any other moving part on your car, the brake system is intended to wear out over a designated period of time and one of the most dangerous problems a car can have.
So when they display any symptoms of issues, like squealing, squeaking or a soft brake pedal – it should be inspected by a professional mechanic as soon as possible.


10. Water Damage.
Liquids can also leak into the transmission, such as the case with water dripping from the radiator or the whole unit getting soaked through from serious flooding. However it got there, water mixing with transmission fluid is bad news. Even a very small amount of water can lead to transmission failure. This is because water directly damages the components of the transmission system, wearing away glue and rusting metal.


https://carmart.ng/public/blog/2020/01/common-car-problems-every-driver-should-know-about-in-2020/

Pls how long can u use ur car before u change d oil

Chigozie105:
Pls how long can u use ur car before u change d oil

depends on d oil type..but mostly 5000 miles

Pls what could be the issue
If I start my car first in the morning some smoke will come out from the exhaust but after few minutes less say five minutes on a spot it will disappear.

oduncojamaica:
Pls what could be the issue
If I start my car first in the morning some smoke will come out from the exhaust but after few minutes less say five minutes on a spot it will disappear.

How heavy is the smoke and the colour? Does it happen Everytime you park for a long time or only overnight?

Your valve stem seal is weak.

The smoke is not heavy, whitish coulour
It only occur in the morning

oduncojamaica:
The smoke is not heavy, whitish coulour
It only occur in the morning

I guess you are talking about steam, which is normal. If you watch closely after some time water should be dripping down the exhaust tail pipe..it disappears once your exhaust gets hot. Nothing to worry about.