What's your car telling you?
Car Symptom Index
Notice something off? Find the symptom below, see what it usually means, and jump to the service that fixes it. Not sure what you’re hearing or feeling? Book a diagnostic and our ASE-certified techs will track it down, no guessing and no parts you don’t need.
Brakes
Anything that changes how the car stops, from a squeal to a soft pedal.
- Grinding or scraping when you hit the brakesBrake Service & Repair
- A squeal or screech that won't quitBrake Service & Repair
- The pedal feels soft, mushy, or sinks toward the floorBrake Service & Repair
- Shaking or pulsing when you slow downBrake Service & Repair
- The car tugs to one side when you brakeBrake Service & Repair
- It's taking longer to stop than it used toBrake Service & Repair
- A burnt smell near a wheel after a hard stopBrake Service & Repair
- Brake light or ABS light popped onBrake Service & Repair
Engine & Performance
Rough running, lost power, hard starts, and the parts that feed and fire the engine.
- Check-engine light, especially if it's flashingEngine Repair
- Knocking, ticking, or tapping from the engineEngine Repair
- It's burning oil, or you're adding it between changesEngine Repair
- Running hot or the temp gauge creeping upEngine Repair
- Rough idle, misfiring, or it shakes at a stopEngine Repair
- Spots of oil or coolant where you parkEngine Repair
- Down on power or getting worse on gas mileageEngine Repair
- White, blue, or black smoke out the tailpipeEngine Repair
- The idle is rough or shaky at a stopCar Tune-Up
- It cranks longer than it should before startingCar Tune-Up
- There's a stumble or a misfire when you accelerateCar Tune-Up
- Your gas mileage has dropped offCar Tune-Up
- The check engine light is on or flashingCar Tune-Up
- It's hit the mileage where plugs and the rest are dueCar Tune-Up
- It just doesn't feel as peppy as it used toCar Tune-Up
- Cranks a long time before it starts, or won't start when it's warmFuel System Repair
- Stalls at a stop or right after you start itFuel System Repair
- Sputters or hesitates when you step on itFuel System Repair
- Loses power going uphill or under a loadFuel System Repair
- Gas mileage has gotten noticeably worseFuel System Repair
- Check-engine light, sometimes a misfire or lean codeFuel System Repair
- A whine from the back near the tankFuel System Repair
- The A/C airflow feels weak even on highFilter Replacement
- There's a musty or dusty smell when the vents come onFilter Replacement
- The engine feels sluggish or down on powerFilter Replacement
- Your mpg slipped and nothing else changedFilter Replacement
- It's been a long time and you've never had them doneFilter Replacement
- You're driving a lot of dirt roads or dusty back roadsFilter Replacement
- A squeal or chirp from the front of the engine, often worse cold or in the rainBelts and Hoses Inspection & Replacement
- The belt looks cracked, glazed, or frayed when you peek under the hoodBelts and Hoses Inspection & Replacement
- Coolant on the driveway or a sweet smell after you parkBelts and Hoses Inspection & Replacement
- Temp gauge climbing or the engine running hotBelts and Hoses Inspection & Replacement
- A hose feels soft, mushy, or rock-hard when you squeeze itBelts and Hoses Inspection & Replacement
- Battery or check-engine light flickers, which can point to a slipping beltBelts and Hoses Inspection & Replacement
- It's just old, high miles or years since the last oneBelts and Hoses Inspection & Replacement
Electrical, Battery & Starting
Dead batteries, no-starts, flickering lights, and the gremlins in between.
- Engine cranks slow before it catchesCar Battery Inspection & Replacement
- You've had to jump it more than onceCar Battery Inspection & Replacement
- Battery light is on the dashCar Battery Inspection & Replacement
- One click, or a string of clicks, and nothing turns overCar Battery Inspection & Replacement
- Headlights look dim, especially at idleCar Battery Inspection & Replacement
- White or green crusty buildup on the terminalsCar Battery Inspection & Replacement
- It's been 3 to 5 years and you've never replaced itCar Battery Inspection & Replacement
- Sat overnight and now it's deadCar Battery Inspection & Replacement
- Battery light glowing on the dashAlternator Repair & Replacement
- Lights dim or flicker, worse at idleAlternator Repair & Replacement
- Put in a new battery and it died againAlternator Repair & Replacement
- A whine or growl that changes with the engineAlternator Repair & Replacement
- Radio, windows, or A/C acting weak or cutting outAlternator Repair & Replacement
- Engine stalled and won't stay runningAlternator Repair & Replacement
- Burning rubber or hot electrical smellAlternator Repair & Replacement
- One loud click and the engine won't turn overStarter Replacement
- Grinding or screeching when you turn the keyStarter Replacement
- Starts fine some days, dead the nextStarter Replacement
- Dash lights up but nothing cranksStarter Replacement
- You hear a whir but the engine doesn't spinStarter Replacement
- Have to turn the key a few times before it catchesStarter Replacement
- Tapping on it gets it to start, for nowStarter Replacement
- Key won't turn in the ignitionIgnition Switch & Key Replacement
- Turn the key and nothing happensIgnition Switch & Key Replacement
- Engine cuts out while you're drivingIgnition Switch & Key Replacement
- Dash lights flicker or drop out when you turn the keyIgnition Switch & Key Replacement
- Key feels loose or sloppy in the slotIgnition Switch & Key Replacement
- Lost the only key, or it broke offIgnition Switch & Key Replacement
- Smart fob or remote stopped being recognizedIgnition Switch & Key Replacement
- Have to jiggle the key to get it to workIgnition Switch & Key Replacement
- Battery keeps going dead even though it's not that oldCar Electrical System Repair
- Car's slow to crank or won't start in the morningCar Electrical System Repair
- Lights flicker, dim, or do their own thingCar Electrical System Repair
- Power windows, locks, or the radio quit workingCar Electrical System Repair
- Fuses that blow again right after you replace themCar Electrical System Repair
- Battery or charging light on the dashCar Electrical System Repair
- Weird gremlins, like things working sometimes and not othersCar Electrical System Repair
- A burning smell or a hot spot near wiring or a fuse boxCar Electrical System Repair
- Lights flicker for no reasonCar Wiring Repair & Replacement
- Power windows, locks, or accessories work when they feel like itCar Wiring Repair & Replacement
- A fuse keeps blowing as fast as you replace itCar Wiring Repair & Replacement
- Battery's dead by morning even though it's goodCar Wiring Repair & Replacement
- Wiring looks corroded, melted, or chewed upCar Wiring Repair & Replacement
- Burning plastic smell from somewhereCar Wiring Repair & Replacement
- Warning lights popping on and off at randomCar Wiring Repair & Replacement
- Something quit working right after a repair or a fender benderCar Wiring Repair & Replacement
Steering & Suspension
Clunks, pulls, wander, and a ride that isn't what it used to be.
- Clunks or knocks when you go over bumpsSteering & Suspension Repair
- The ride feels bouncy or floaty, like it keeps moving after a dipSteering & Suspension Repair
- The car pulls to one side on a flat roadSteering & Suspension Repair
- Steering feels loose or sloppy, like there's play in the wheelSteering & Suspension Repair
- Tires wearing funny, scalloped or cupped on the edgesSteering & Suspension Repair
- Front end dives hard when you brakeSteering & Suspension Repair
- Body leans a lot in turnsSteering & Suspension Repair
- Pulls to one side when you let go of the wheel on a flat roadWheel Alignment
- Steering wheel sits crooked when you're going straightWheel Alignment
- Tires wearing more on one edge than the otherWheel Alignment
- The wheel doesn't come back on its own after a turnWheel Alignment
- You feel like you're always correcting to stay in your laneWheel Alignment
- Just put on new tires or new suspension partsWheel Alignment
- Hit a bad pothole or curb and something feels off sinceWheel Alignment
Heating, A/C & Cooling
Warm air when you want cold, cold air when you want heat, and an engine running hot.
- Air's blowing, but it's warm or just barely coolAuto AC & Heat Repair
- Cold for a few minutes, then it warms back upAuto AC & Heat Repair
- Heater won't put out any heatAuto AC & Heat Repair
- Musty or moldy smell when you first turn it onAuto AC & Heat Repair
- A clicking or squealing sound when the A/C kicks inAuto AC & Heat Repair
- Weak airflow even with the fan cranked upAuto AC & Heat Repair
- Windows fog up and won't clearAuto AC & Heat Repair
- Puddle or dampness on the passenger floorAuto AC & Heat Repair
- Temperature gauge running higher than normal, or climbing into the redCooling System & Radiator Repair
- Steam or a sweet, syrupy smell from under the hoodCooling System & Radiator Repair
- A green, orange, or pink puddle where you parkCooling System & Radiator Repair
- The heater blows cold air even with the engine warmed upCooling System & Radiator Repair
- You keep topping off coolant and it keeps disappearingCooling System & Radiator Repair
- The cooling fan runs loud all the time, or never kicks onCooling System & Radiator Repair
- White, crusty residue around the radiator or hose clampsCooling System & Radiator Repair
- A low-coolant or temperature warning light on the dashCooling System & Radiator Repair
Transmission
Slipping, hard shifts, and anything odd between the engine and the wheels.
- It slips, like the engine revs but the car doesn't pull like it shouldTransmission Service & Repair
- Shifts come late, or it bangs into gearTransmission Service & Repair
- A puddle of red or brown fluid under where you parkTransmission Service & Repair
- Burnt smell, kind of like hot oilTransmission Service & Repair
- It jerks or shudders when it changes gearsTransmission Service & Repair
- Clutch feels off, or the stick is hard to get into gear on a manualTransmission Service & Repair
- Whining, humming, or clunking that wasn't there beforeTransmission Service & Repair
- Check-engine light came on and the car feels differentTransmission Service & Repair
Tires & Wheels
Flats, slow leaks, vibrations, and tread wearing where it shouldn't.
- A nail or screw stuck in the treadTire Repair & Replacement
- A slow leak that has you adding air every few daysTire Repair & Replacement
- The TPMS light came onTire Repair & Replacement
- Tread's getting low or worn unevenlyTire Repair & Replacement
- A vibration in the steering wheel at highway speedTire Repair & Replacement
- Cracks or a bulge in the sidewallTire Repair & Replacement
- Tires are six years old or older, even with tread leftTire Repair & Replacement
- It's been a while, rule of thumb is every oil changeTire Rotation & Balance
- Your front tires look more worn than the rearsTire Rotation & Balance
- The tread is wearing unevenly across a tireTire Rotation & Balance
- There's a hum or growl from the tires that wasn't thereTire Rotation & Balance
- The car pulls a little or the ride feels offTire Rotation & Balance
- You just put new tires on and want to keep them evenTire Rotation & Balance
Fluids & Leaks
Spots on the driveway and fluids that are dirty, low, or overdue.
- You're past the miles or the months since your last oneOil Change & Routine Maintenance
- The maintenance light or oil reminder is up on the dashOil Change & Routine Maintenance
- The oil on the dipstick is dark and gritty instead of amberOil Change & Routine Maintenance
- There's a small spot where you parkOil Change & Routine Maintenance
- Engine sounds a little louder or rougher than usualOil Change & Routine Maintenance
- You honestly can't remember the last time it was doneOil Change & Routine Maintenance
- A fluid is dark and dirty when it should be bright or clearCar Fluid Flush
- You're past the mileage in the manual for that serviceCar Fluid Flush
- The brake pedal feels softer than it used toCar Fluid Flush
- The power steering whines or groans when you turnCar Fluid Flush
- The transmission shifts a little rough or hangs between gearsCar Fluid Flush
- The heat or A/C isn't keeping up like it shouldCar Fluid Flush
- You bought it used and have no idea when anything was last doneCar Fluid Flush
Noises, Smells & Warning Lights
The car is trying to tell you something. Here's what it usually means.
- Check-engine light is on, steady or blinkingVehicle Diagnostics
- Other lights popped up, like ABS, traction, or airbagVehicle Diagnostics
- Car runs rough, idles funny, or stallsVehicle Diagnostics
- You're filling up more often than you used toVehicle Diagnostics
- It hesitates or feels gutless when you give it gasVehicle Diagnostics
- Something just feels off but you can't put a finger on itVehicle Diagnostics
- It already got a part thrown at it and the light's still onVehicle Diagnostics
- Warning chimes or messages on the dash you don't recognizeVehicle Diagnostics
- It's gotten loud, especially when you start it cold or get on itExhaust System Service
- A rattle or buzz underneath, worse at idle or over bumpsExhaust System Service
- Rotten-egg or sulfur smellExhaust System Service
- Check-engine light, sometimes for an oxygen sensor or converter codeExhaust System Service
- Failed an emissions or safety inspectionExhaust System Service
- Exhaust fumes you can smell inside the cabinExhaust System Service
- Gas mileage dropped off for no clear reasonExhaust System Service
Breakdowns & Emergencies
When it can't be driven, we tow it straight to a C&C shop, day or night.
- It won't start and won't restart no matter what you try24-Hour Towing
- You've been in a wreck24-Hour Towing
- Flat tire and no spare24-Hour Towing
- It's overheating and you can't keep driving it24-Hour Towing
- It won't go into gear24-Hour Towing
- Fluid's pouring out underneath24-Hour Towing
- The brakes feel gone24-Hour Towing
- Anything where driving it would do more damage24-Hour Towing
Checkups & Inspections
Nothing's broken yet, you just want to know where the car stands.
- You're about to buy a used car and want to know what you're really gettingVehicle Inspection
- A long trip is coming up and you want it checked before you goVehicle Inspection
- A warning light is on and you want to know how serious it isVehicle Inspection
- The car's high-mileage and you want an honest baselineVehicle Inspection
- Something feels off but you can't put your finger on itVehicle Inspection
- A dealer or another shop told you something and you want a second opinionVehicle Inspection
Not sure which one it is?
That’s what diagnostics is for. A lot of symptoms overlap, and testing beats guessing every time. Book an appointment at any of our six shops and we’ll find the real cause.