4 Car Repairs to Make Before It’s Too Late

Paying for car repairs is about as much fun as a trip to the dentist.

And, like the dentist, some people will go to great lengths to avoid a trip to the shop.

But drivers who skip or delay important repairs expose their vehicles to dangerous situations and costlier fixes down the road, AAA’s Car Doctor John Paul said. Here are four right-now repairs that should be fixed as soon as possible.

Fluid Leaks

An engine without oil or coolant could be irreparably damaged in seconds, yet some people would prefer to add oil or coolant to their car every day instead of fixing it. The leak will only get worse over time, and it will be hard to keep up with the refills, Paul said. Ignore a leak long enough and what was a simple repair could end up destroying the engine, he added.

Grinding Brakes

A grinding noise when applying the brakes could mean the brake pads are completely worn out. Driving on shot brake pads could damage the calipers or rotors, neither of which are cheap to replace.

Leaky Tire

Sometimes a tire leaks so slowly that a driver can add air every couple of days and get to where they need to go. But doing this could permanently damage the inside of the tire, Paul said. It could also weaken the sidewall, which could cause a blowout.

Cracked Windshield

On a very hot or cold day, it won’t take long for a half-inch crack in a windshield to become an irreparable gash across the glass. The safest and most cost-effective solution is to get the crack or chip repaired as soon as possible, Paul said. Wait too long and you might need a complete windshield replacement. A large enough crack might also earn a driver a ticket for faulty equipment. Like a toothache, sometimes it pays to act before a problem gets worse.

Did you know that AAA Auto Glass will come to you at work or home and provide the highest-quality installations by AGSC certified technicians? To get a free, no-obligation quote on windshield repair or replacement, go to AAA.com/Glass.

Find a qualified mechanic quickly by browsing a list of AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities in your area. You’ll get a free maintenance inspection with any paid repair so you can keep your vehicle in tip-top shape.