Symptoms
What's it doing?
Pick the symptom. We'll tell you what it usually is, how urgent it is, and which repair fixes it. Then text us and we come to the car.
- stop driving
Grinding Noise When Braking
Grinding means the pad material is gone and metal is on metal.
- stop driving
Brake Pedal Soft or Spongy
A soft, spongy, or sinking pedal means air or water in the fluid, or a leak somewhere in the hydraulic system.
- stop driving
Car Overheating
An engine in the red is minutes from a warped head or blown head gasket.
- stop driving
Car Stalls While Driving
An engine that dies in motion takes power steering and brake assist with it.
- stop driving
Car Smells Like Gas
A raw fuel smell means a leak somewhere in the fuel system or an engine dumping unburned fuel.
- fix soon
Car Won't Start
A no-start is either a no-crank (nothing or a click when you turn the key) or a crank-no-start (it turns over but never fires).
- fix soon
Clicking Noise When Starting
Rapid clicking is a battery too weak to spin the starter.
- fix soon
Squealing Brakes
A high-pitched squeal when you brake is usually the wear indicator telling you the pads are almost done.
- fix soon
Coolant Leak
Green, orange, or pink puddles and a sweet smell mean coolant is escaping.
- fix soon
Car Shakes at Highway Speed
A shake that shows up at highway speed and smooths out above or below it is usually tire balance.
- fix soon
Battery Keeps Dying
If a new battery goes dead after sitting, something is draining it or the alternator isn't charging it.
- fix soon
Burning Smell From Car
The type of smell tells the story: burning oil, hot rubber, sweet coolant, burning plastic, or hot brakes each point to a different system.
- fix soon
Steering Wheel Shakes When Braking
A pulse or shake through the wheel only when braking is warped or unevenly worn front rotors.
- fix soon
Reduced Engine Power / Limp Mode
The computer has detected a fault and limited power to protect the engine or transmission.
- fix soon
Window Won't Roll Up
A window that won't move, grinds, or fell into the door has a broken regulator, a dead motor, or a switch problem.
- schedule it
Check Engine Light On
A steady check engine light means the computer logged a fault it wants looked at.
- schedule it
Oil Leak
Dark brown or black spots under the engine, a burning smell, and a dipstick that keeps dropping.
- schedule it
Rough Idle
Shaking at stoplights with a wandering RPM means the engine isn't getting an even mix of fuel, air, and spark.
- schedule it
A/C Blowing Warm Air
Warm air from the vents in a Carolina summer is a low refrigerant charge, a compressor that isn't engaging, or a fan that isn't running.
- schedule it
Clunking Noise Over Bumps
A clunk or rattle over bumps is almost always a worn suspension part — sway bar links first, then strut mounts, ball joints, and control arm bushings.
- schedule it
Car Pulls to One Side
A pull while driving is usually tire pressure, tire wear, or alignment.
- schedule it
Whining Noise When Accelerating
A whine that rises with engine RPM is an accessory: alternator, power steering pump, or a bearing in a pulley.
- schedule it
Ticking Noise From Engine
Ticking that's worse on cold start and fades when warm is usually an exhaust manifold leak.
- schedule it
Hard to Start in Cold Weather
Cold thickens oil and cuts battery output.
Not on the list? Describe it.
Text a video of the noise or a photo of the leak. We'll tell you what we think before you book.