When it comes to car maintenance, it can be hard to determine if you should pay attention to every little noise that you hear and every single light that comes on. When you think something is wrong with your car, your safety is your first concern. Your second concern should be whether or not the problem is worth a trip to the mechanic.

Fort Collins Foreign Car Service has some tips for you to consider when you’re thinking about calling a mechanic for an appointment.

• If a warning light comes on, don’t ignore it. Warning lights are actually there to benefit you. The warning light will often indicate what the problem is. Warning lights are one of the easiest ways to tell that something is in fact wrong with your car, and a professional mechanic should be called when yours comes on.
• If you notice that your brakes are squealing or your car is starting to shake as you press your foot on the brake, your brakes should be checked. Sometimes, noise from your brakes can just indicate normal wear-and-tear. If you recall the last time your brakes were changed, your brakes should typically last anywhere from 40,000-60,000 miles.
• If your car starts to change gears abruptly instead of smoothly transitioning from one gear to the other, you should have your car looked at. You could have a problem with your transmission, and the problem could be diagnosed for you.

Stay tuned for our next blog, which will continue our tips to help you determine if your car needs to be worked on. If you’re experiencing any of the problems listed above, please contact us today.