A car engine can be dubbed as the heart of a car and sadly, if it dies out, no amount of CPR can resuscitate it. Though modern engines are built to last for a very long time, even the most advanced ones can fail you if not cared for properly. The last thing you want is to risk your life by driving a car that could break down due to a bad engine in the middle of a highway at 120 KM/h. 

So, we take a quick look at some of the key indicators that should ring your alarm and make you pop that hood to take a closer look at your engine.

1- The check engine light 

First of all, get your car inspected by a professional when your “check engine” light is on. This might seem like a no brainer but a lot of people ignore it because they don’t find anything wrong with the overall performance of their vehicle. It’s true that sometimes check engine light can turn on for something as small as a loose gas cap but it could lead to a bigger problem eventually if it’s not checked and identified in time.

2- Performance issues

The engine performance issues could vary from mild or serious jerking to stalling and shaking. Your engine should run smoothly and respond each time you step on to the gas paddle. If you experience any obvious performance issues, don’t take them lightly. You may easily fix smaller issues such as replacing a punctured car tire but engine problems are not that easy to fix and you could get into serious trouble if it breaks down in the wrong place at a wrong time.

3- Weird Noises

Engine noises – we all hate them and often pay the top dollar to get them fixed. In all fairness, you cannot expect an old engine to be soundless as new but there are some noises that should serve as a major warning sign that your engine is no longer fit to use. It’s only natural if you hear a bit of noise from  your car tires at high speeds but engine noises could be pointing towards a serious problem. 

While some of these noises could simply be due to a bad fitting or a loose bolt, others could be coming from worn mechanical parts such as pistons, bearings or motors etc.

4- Smoke and strange odours  

We all love the smell of freshly baked cookies and smoke rising from the kitchen chimneys. What we don’t love is smoke coming out of our car’s exhaust that also carries foul odour. 

If your vehicle has reached a point where it is producing thick smoke from the exhaust and you can smell burning oil or rubber from inside the cabin, you need to stop immediately or risk catastrophic damage to the engine that could cost a fortune to repair.

5- Oil patches

Engine oil is the only thing preventing different parts of your engine from damaging each other with excessive friction. There could be a number of reasons for it to leak and leave those small puddles of oil in your garage. Whatever the reason, oil leak is yet another indicator of your car’s engine giving out. 

Continental always advises drivers to avoid taking an unfit vehicle out on the road which could not just endanger your life but also put the fellow commuters at risk.