How Do You Know Your Car Needs Service?

Finding out there’s something wrong with your car can be equally stressful and frustrating. But if you identify the problem early on, you can tackle it before it turns into an irreversible issue. Be on the lookout for these ten signs — they will signify that your car needs immediate service. 

 

How Do You Know Your Car Needs Service?

The check engine light is on

A glowing check engine light is never a good thing. It often signifies there’s something wrong with one of the hundreds of systems in your car’s computer. It’s not necessarily a cause for panic, but it’s a definite indicator that you should take your car in for an inspection.

There’s smoke coming from under the hood

If you’re driving and notice smoke coming from under the hood, it could be a sign that the engine is overheated. This could destroy your car if you continue to drive and refuse to service it. Pay attention to the temperature gauge. If it seems too high, schedule an appointment for a maintenance check.

The transmission seems off-kilter

When it seems like your car is having trouble speeding up, and it feels shaky or it’s making strange noises, there could be an issue with the transmission. The transmission is essentially your car’s power system, so it needs proper maintenance. If you don’t take care of it, you could find yourself stranded on the side of the road waiting for a tow-truck to haul your car away.

There are major fluid leaks

Are there any major fluid puddles on the ground underneath your car when it’s parked? The leak could be coolant, transmission oil, engine oil, or brake fluid. Or, it could also just be cold water dripping from the air conditioner. While the latter is normal, other fluid leaks could keep your car from running smoothly. Be sure to take it in to the mechanic as soon as you can.

There’s a strange noise while driving

If you hear strange noises while you’re driving, take your car to the shop. A dragging noise could be coming from your wheels, which would signify the wheel or differential bearing is failing. A grinding noise usually occurs when your brakes have gone bad, so you need to get them checked and replaced immediately.

The car is constantly shaking while in motion

A car that shakes while driving over poor road conditions is normal. But if you notice it’s vibrating on a smooth street with no obstructions, you need to take it in. It could indicate a number of issues, such as an unbalanced tire or a bad universal joint. Failing to take care of the vibration could smoke the engine or transmission, ultimately leaving you without a running car.

You’re stalling at intersections

Stalling at an intersection is dangerous. If your car is sluggish and not performing the way it was built to, it could be a sign that the spark plugs need to be replaced, the fuel filter is clogged, or something more severe is occurring in the transmission. Schedule an appointment with the mechanic to take care of this problem before it turns into something serious.

It’s difficult to start it up

If it takes more than one turn of the key to get your car started every day, something’s wrong. It could just be a bad battery, but it might also be a defective starter that needs to be replaced. Regardless of the issue, it needs to be taken care of or you’ll be using public transportation to get around.

Your fuel mileage is bad

If you’ve noticed you’re filling your gas tank more often than normal — and you’re not using your car any more than usual — there’s an issue with your ride that needs to be taken care of. A sticking brake pad or improper tire pressure could be to blame, so take it to the shop for a check-up.

Shifting gears is rough

Driving an automatic car provides a smooth, reliable shift in gears. But if it seems less efficient than usual, causing your vehicle to hesitate or jolt between shifts, your transmission needs attention. Schedule an appointment  to change the transmission fuel, filters, and screens.

Schedule Service in Jersey City, NJ

If your car shows any of these signs, just bring it in to NJ State Auto Used Cars. Our maintenance workers will help fine-tune your ride and take care of any issues. 

If you feel as though the damage is done and you need a new car, just head on over to our lot. We’ve got hundreds of quality used CARFAX-certified vehicles to choose from in our inventory of used cars for sale in Jersey City, New Jersey.

About NJ State Auto: Used Car Dealership in Jersey City

Welcome to NJ State Auto. We have been one of the top used car dealers in New Jersey since opening our doors in 1994, helping the general public find and buy quality Used Cars, Trucks, Vans, SUVs, and Hybrids below Kelley Blue Book (KBB) Value. If you are looking for used car bargains at wholesale prices with clean titles, then you have come to the right place. Take a look at what we have to offer in our inventory.

The NJ State Auto Auction offers Free CARFAX Vehicle History Reports. All vehicles are checked by CARFAX, have clean titles, and include the CARFAX Buyback Guarantee. We also offer auto loan financing and online credit approval.

We are the largest used car auction in the tri-state metro area, serving New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and DC. We are ranked number one in customer service for all Public Auto Auctions in the Northeast Region. 

Visit Our Store in Jersey City, NJ

Buying a quality used car is a huge investment. So get the most out of your hard-earned money, and come to one of the most reliable used car dealers in NJ. Our friendly and helpful office staff is ready to answer any questions you might have. Call today and let us earn your business.

New Jersey State Auto Used Car Dealership

406 Sip Avenue

Jersey City, NJ 07306

Phone: (201) 200-1100

Posted on Categories FAQs

How to Go Farther on Every Tank of Gas

Buying gas is part of the budget for any car, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find ways to save money. The way you drive and take care of your car has a big effect on the amount of fuel you use, according to the U.S. Union of Concerned Scientists. Keep yourself from pouring all of your money into your gas tank by following these easy tips for maximizing your car’s fuel economy.

How to Conserve Fuel While Driving

Give your car some TLC

Cars consume less fuel and run best when they are maintained well. This means getting regular oil and filter changes, spark plug replacements, and tire rotations. By taking good care of your car, you can prevent future damage and also improve the fuel economy. Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual to figure out when each maintenance appointment should take place.

Drive the speed limit

Slow down — save the fast driving for the race car drivers. The Consumer Energy Center of the California Energy Commission said all vehicles lose fuel economy when driven at speeds above 55 miles per hour. As for highway driving, going 65 mph instead of 75 mph reduces fuel cost by 13 percent. Avoid driving aggressively to save fuel in both the city and on the highway by driving the speed limit.

Take advice from your smartphone

If you have an app on your phone that you can use to monitor traffic, check it before you leave the house. By doing this, you can plan an alternate route and avoid wasting gas from idling during your commute. Also consider using a smartphone app that finds the cheapest gas in your area. Not only will this save you money at the pump, but it will also keep you from wasting your time trying to find the best gas prices in your area.

Avoid idling for more than a minute

Unfortunately, your engine uses a little bit of gasoline at its initial start-up. According to the UCS, letting your engine idle for more than a minute can burn more gas than turning off your engine and restarting it. Avoid idling by checking traffic in advance, or considering purchasing a car with “stop-start” technology that automatically turns off the engine when you brake.

Carpool when you can

If you have a friend whose business is close to your office, consider carpooling with them to get to work. Sharing a ride to work with friends is an effective way to double your fuel economy. Alternate every other week for driving with your pals to save both of you money on gas.

Park in the shade

The UCS recommended parking in the shade during the summer. Not only does this keep your car cooler during warm temperatures but it also minimizes fuel evaporation. Park in a garage or under an awning during the summer if possible. This is an easy way to save you money at the gas pump.

Find a Used Car With Good Fuel Economy in Jersey City

If you’re looking for an affordable, fuel-efficient car, check out NJ Auto Auction. Here, you’ll find a wide variety of CARFAX-certified cars, giving you many options to help find the perfect car that suits your needs. Let us know if you have any questions about our inventory.

Get a Free Vehicle History Report When You Shop at Our Used Car Dealership

Free Carfax Vehicle History report

One of the most important steps of shopping for a used car is checking a vehicle’s history, which is why NJ State Auto provides a free CARFAX report for each vehicle in our inventory. We think it’s critical that our customers know exactly what they’re getting when they buy a used car from us. 

We’re especially proud to partner with CARFAX on account of the extensive details in their signature vehicle history reports. Below is a list of everything a CARFAX report covers.

CARFAX Vehicle History Reports Cover the Following:

  • Major Accident
  • Mileage Rollback
  • Multiple Owners
  • Structural Damage
  • Vehicle Service History
  • Lease, Personal, Taxi or Police Use
  • Total Loss
  • Rebuilt
  • Flood Damage
  • Airbag Deployment
  • Mileage Rollover
  • Salvaged
  • Hail Damage
  • Branded a Lemon
  • Last Reported Mileage
  • Junked
  • State Owned
  • Length of Ownership
  • Estimated Miles Driven Per Year
  • Not Actual Mileage
  • Recall Information
  • Warranty Information

Our Jersey City used car dealership offers free CARFAX reporting on our full inventory of vehicles. In addition to providing a detailed history based on each vehicle’s VIN, we also complete a thorough inspection on every car that arrives on our lot.

If you purchase a vehicle and still find something wrong with it based on an incident not listed in the vehicle history, we have more good news. All of our cars come with the CARFAX Buyback Guarantee.

At NJ State Auto, we’re committed to giving our customers a quality experience. If you have questions about a car on our lot or our free CARFAX report program, contact us by phone or through our website. We look forward to hearing from you.