Noises, smells, leaks and operating changes are all signs that
something could be wrong with your vehicle. To make maintaining and repairing it faster and easier, pay attention to these
signals and be prepared to describe them to your automotive technician.
Performance Problems
Knowing something about how your vehicle performs and handles makes communicating with service advisers and technicians
fast and easy.
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Performance Problem
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How to Describe It
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Cuts out
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Temporary, complete loss of power. Engine quits at sharp, irregular intervals.
May occur repeatedly or intermittently. Usually worse under heavy acceleration.
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Detonation
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Mild to severe ping, usually worse under acceleration and load. Engine makes
sharp, metallic knocks that change with throttle opening. Sounds like marbles rattling around.
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Dieseling
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Engine runs after ignition switch is turned off. Runs unevenly and may make
knocking noises.
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Hesitation
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Momentary lack of response as accelerator is pressed. Can occur at all speeds.
Usually most severe when starting from a stop. May cause engine to stall.
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Missing
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Pulsation or jerking that changes with engine speed. Exhaust has a steady
spitting sound at idle or low speed. Not normally felt above 30 mph.
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Rough idle
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Engine runs unevenly at idle. Car may also shake.
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Sluggish
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Engine delivers limited power under load or at high speed. Won't accelerate
as fast as normal. Loses too much speed going up hills. Has less speed than normal.
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Spongy
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Less than anticipated response to increased throttle opening. Little or no
increase in speed when accelerator is pushed down to increase cruising speed. Continuing to push pedal down will finally give
an increase in speed.
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Stall
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Engine stops running or dies out. May occur at idle or while driving.
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Surge
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Vehicle speeds up and slows down with no change on accelerator pedal.
Can occur at any speed.
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Noises
What’s your car trying to tell you when it clicks, clunks and grinds? Translating
these noise signals is key information for automotive technicians who are trained to identify problems via sound.
The important thing to remember with odd sounds is to be specific, narrow that
‘rattle’ down, and then detail when it happens — when the car’s hot, cold, at idle, moving at 55 mph,
etc.
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Description
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Possible Problem
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Squeaky brakes
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Dirt in the lining of the pads or hardening of the pads and shoes.
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Grinding brakes
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Worn pads and shoes
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Metal on metal when braking
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Worn-out pads
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Metal on metal when encountering bumps
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Worn-out shocks
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Growling from air conditioner
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Worn compressor
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Squealing windshield wipers
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Worn wiper blades
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Whining from tires when turning a corner
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Dry or worn-out wheel bearings
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Squealing from tires when turning a corner
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Tires low on air or worn
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Grinding while shifting gears
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Worn clutch or clutch that need adjustment
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Screeching under the hood
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Loose or worn belt
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Popping from engine
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Dirty air filter, bad spark plugs, wires, ignition components
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Scraping or buzzing from transmission
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Transmission needs new fluid
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Squeaking noise when shifting
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Manual transmission needs lubrication
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Clunking under hood when gears change
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Worn joints or engine’s idle speed may be set too high
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Knocking under hood
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Need higher gas octane rating, clogged air filter or timing off
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Clicking when idling
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Needs oil
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Clunking that worsens as speed increases
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Broken or worn engine parts
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