Understand your breakdown
Most common symptoms, their possible causes, and questions to ask the garage.
Engine light on
Orange or flashing engine light: common causes, urgency level, and questions to ask the garage before a repair.
Braking noise
Grinding, squealing, or rubbing noise when braking: possible causes, urgency, and points to check with your garage.
Exhaust smoke
White, blue or black exhaust smoke: what the color can indicate and checks to ask the garage for.
Starting problem
Car won't start or starts poorly: battery, starter, fuel supply. Clues to describe the breakdown and understand the quote.
Engine overheating
Rising engine temperature or coolant warning light: possible causes, urgency and questions to ask the garage.
Slipping clutch
Slipping clutch, stiff pedal or difficulty shifting gears: possible causes and checks before getting a quote.
Air conditioning no longer cooling
Air conditioning blowing warm air or barely blowing: possible causes and questions to ask the garage before a recharge or repair.
Steering wheel vibrations
Steering wheel vibrations at certain speeds or when braking: tyres, wheel balance, brake discs or suspension. What to check before visiting the garage.
Gears that crunch
A gear crunches when engaging: gearbox, synchronizers, clutch or oil. What to look for and what to ask your garage.
Knocking over bumps
A knock or a sharp jolt over a bump: shock absorbers, track rod ends, bushings. What to check before a quote.
The oil level keeps dropping
Oil drops between two changes: external leak, internal consumption, turbo. Points to prepare the check and understand the quote.
Rolling noise that grows
A drone that follows speed: wheel bearing, tyre, drivetrain. Points to describe the noise and prepare the check.
Smell inside the cabin
A smell entering the cabin: air conditioning, exhaust, damp. Points to describe it and know when to stop.
A fluid under the vehicle
A mark under the car: water, oil, coolant or brake fluid. Colours, positions and reflexes before the garage.
The car pulls to one side
The wheel drifts to one side, on the flat or when braking: tyre pressure, alignment, sticking caliper. What to look for and what to ask your garage.
Brake warning light on
The brake light stays on: handbrake, fluid level, wear, switch. What to check before driving again.
Automatic gearbox that hesitates
Jolts when shifting, a box that hesitates or is slow to engage: oil, control unit, torque converter. Points for the check.
Tyres wearing out too fast
A tyre smooth in a few thousand kilometres: alignment, pressures, shock absorbers. What the wear pattern shows and what to have checked.