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To be a good driver, you have to keep your ear to the ground at all times to detect any type of anomaly in the vehicle’s operation. You also have to stay alert to notice smells, jerks, and rattles. However, our cars are increasingly smart, making them capable of snitching on quite a few different faults as soon as they appear.
These are 9 problems that almost all modern and well-equipped cars are capable of self-diagnosing:
Oil changes
Every how many kilometers do you need to change the oil? It all depends on the type of engine we have and the quality of the lubricant we have used. Older cars had very intervals, barely 5,000 kilometers. Modern ones allow changes every 10,000 or 15,000 kilometers. There are also ‘LongLife’ oils, which last almost twice as long as normal oils. However, we do not recommend them at all.
Well, nowadays you don’t have to keep an eye on the oil as much as in the past, since cars are able to estimate when it’s time to visit the workshop. Thanks to sensors, the car can measure how dirty the oil is. In addition, they can take into account factors such as the number of cold starts, the amount of time the engine has been at high revs, and if there has been a change in the operating temperature of the engine.
When it’s time to change the oil, some cars will let you know with a simple light on the dashboard that says «oil change». Wonderful.
Go slow, you’re out of brakes
We would all like to have an engineer assigned like Formula 1 drivers. Modern cars have it, but in the form of software, and they can give you tips that can literally save your life.
Brake pads are made of materials that wear out over time. At some point, you’ll need to replace them before they wear out completely and your vehicle’s brakes stop working properly.
Some cars have sensors that can detect when the brake pads are close to wearing out completely. These sensors can turn on a warning light on the dashboard or, in some cases, even send a message to the owner’s phone.
Tire pressure
Tires are the only thing keeping your vehicle connected to the ground. Therefore, it is important to keep them properly inflated.
Most cars now come with tire pressure sensors that can detect when a wheel has lost enough air to be dangerous. Instead of relying on you to check tire pressure once a month, as you’re supposed to, the car will tell you when it’s needed.
If your car is somewhat old or doesn’t have this extra feature, you can install pressure sensors in your car for very little money.
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Dirty filters
Engine and cabin air filters keep the air clean for both the engine and vehicle occupants. Dirty filters can reduce engine performance and negatively affect air quality in the cabin.
Some cars can monitor when air filters need to be replaced and notify you via a warning light or a message on the infotainment screen.
Abnormal lighting operation
Your vehicle’s lights, such as headlights and taillights, are crucial to ensure you can see and be seen on the road. Modern cars can monitor whether the lights are working properly and notify you if any need to be replaced.
As a general rule, this applies to parking lights, low beams, high beams, and fog lights. This information can come in very handy, as it is usually very difficult to detect that we have a burned-out bulb in the taillights.
Belts in poor condition
Engine belts, such as the timing belt or accessory belt, are essential for the proper functioning of various engine components. As they wear out, they can start to slip or break.
Some cars can detect when a belt is nearing the end of its useful life and issue a warning so you can replace it before it causes major problems.
Low fluid level
Many cars can monitor essential fluid levels, such as coolant, engine oil, and brake fluid. If any of these levels drop below the recommended minimum, the car can turn on a warning light or send a message to the information screen so you can top off the missing fluid before it becomes a major problem.
Low battery
Your car battery is essential for starting and powering the vehicle’s electrical components. Batteries can weaken over time. When they no longer provide the proper voltage, they will need to be replaced.
Modern cars can monitor battery health and notify you if the battery is weakening. This can give you time to replace it before it strands you at an inopportune moment.
Abnormal engine temperature
Your car’s engine needs to be kept at a proper temperature to function properly. If the engine overheats, it can cause costly damage and even leave your vehicle inoperable.
Modern cars can monitor engine temperature and notify you if it is approaching a dangerously high level. This can give you the opportunity to pull over and fix the problem before it causes major engine damage. If you want to know more about the correct temperature of an engine, we leave you that link where we delve into the topic in greater depth.