Dealing with roadside car issues, especially when you don’t understand them or know exactly what the issues are, can be really stressful. The majority of car issues show up while driving rather than when stationary, so it’s common. The safest and smartest thing to do when automotive issues pop up when driving, is to pull over to the side of the road to remedy the issue yourself, or with the assistance of a licensed towing service. Here’s the most common vehicular problem signs that should make anyone pull over to the roadside, as prepared by the automotive issue experts at Chicago Towing.

Strange and Loud Noises

If you hear any weird or loud noises when driving you should pull over to be safe. Hopefully it’s just a piece of debris attached to your car, but it could be a major issue with your car’s engine. To be safe, pull over and check out the car’s engine. These sounds can be anything from a loud popping to unpleasant whirring or grinding.

Weird Auto Handling

If the steering wheel suddenly starts moving on it’s own, wobbling, getting stuck, or getting way too loose, make sure to pull over. These handling issues make driving very dangerous. Again, hopefully the cause is a simple issue like strange road surface texture, but you want to make sure it’s not a worse issue like a broken wheel or tire.

Smoking or Steam

If there’s any steam or smoke coming out of your vehicle, something is definitely amiss. Steam implies that the cooling system is malfunctioning, which can overheat and damage your car’s engine. Smoke implies a drastic issue with your car – possibly an engine fire. Make sure to pull over if you see any steam or smoke.

Oil / Temperature Problem Lights Turn On

If either the oil or temperature check lights turn on your dashboard, pull over. A lit temperature light indicates that the engine might be overheating, likely due to coolant issues, which can cause severe damage. If the oil light is lit up, it’s likely that oil pressure in the car has been dropping – which can rapidly cause extreme damage to your car’s engine. ALWAYS pull over if either of these lights turn on to avoid danger and also lower the chances of damage and the associated automotive repair costs.

Check Engine Light Turns On

Make sure to pull over to check your engine when the check engine light is illuminated. It might be something benign and simple like a loose or missing cap on the gas holder, but it could also be a serious issue. It’s important to stay safe. Don’t be stupid and drive anyway when this light is on – just don’t take the chances.