Cars often give you warning signs before a minor problem turns into a major repair. A strange noise, warning light or change in the way your vehicle drives may seem easy to ignore, but having the problem checked early can help prevent further damage and unexpected breakdowns.

At RPM Automotive in Deniliquin, we provide professional car servicing, diagnostics and mechanical repairs for a wide range of makes and models. If your vehicle doesn’t feel, sound or perform the way it normally does, here are seven signs it may be time to book an inspection.

A check engine light, ABS warning, battery light, oil pressure warning or temperature warning should never simply be ignored. Some warning lights indicate relatively minor faults, while others can signal problems that could cause damage or affect the safety of your vehicle.

If a warning light remains illuminated or keeps returning, professional diagnostics can help identify the cause rather than simply guessing which component is responsible.

Squealing when braking may point towards worn brake components, while knocking or clunking when driving over bumps can indicate steering or suspension wear. Grinding, rattling, humming and clicking noises can have many possible causes depending on where and when they occur.

The important thing is to have a new noise investigated before the underlying problem becomes worse.

Vibrations can potentially be associated with tyres, wheel balance, steering and suspension components, brakes, driveline components or engine-related problems.

Pay attention to when the vibration occurs. Does it happen while braking, accelerating, travelling at a particular speed or all the time? This information can help your mechanic diagnose the problem.

• Squealing or grinding when braking
• A brake pedal that feels unusually soft or hard
• The vehicle pulling to one side under braking
• Vibrations through the brake pedal or steering wheel
• Increased stopping distance
• A brake or ABS warning light

Brake components wear gradually, which means drivers can sometimes become accustomed to declining brake performance without realising it. Regular brake inspections can identify worn components before they become a bigger problem.

Rather than replacing parts unnecessarily, proper diagnosis can help identify the source of the performance problem.

If the temperature gauge climbs significantly above its normal position or a temperature warning appears, safely stop the vehicle and arrange for the problem to be inspected. Never remove a radiator cap from a hot engine, as the cooling system can be under pressure and extremely hot coolant can cause serious burns.

Clear water underneath a vehicle after using the air conditioning can be normal condensation, but coloured, oily or persistent leaks should be investigated.

A minor noise, leak or change in performance may be much easier to address before it develops into a larger mechanical failure. Regular servicing also gives your mechanic an opportunity to inspect important components and identify wear or developing problems.

At RPM Automotive, we provide car servicing and mechanical repairs in Deniliquin for a wide variety of vehicles, including passenger cars, 4WDs, diesel vehicles and commercial fleet vehicles.

Whether you've noticed a warning light, unusual noise, braking problem or simply feel that your vehicle isn't driving as it normally does, contact RPM Automotive to arrange an inspection.