You hear a “clunk” and a “tink” and then you think: oh no, my car needs a new engine. While we all want to try and find out what’s wrong with our vehicles, we should remember that self-diagnosing might not always be the best plan.

The best way to tell a small problem that you can fix from a larger problem is whether or not you have had to deal with it before or if it’s a routine fix. For example, windshield wipers are going to need to be replaced every so often, so don’t be afraid to make the switch. Bulbs are going to burn out, so consult your owners manual and make the fix. However, there are many cases when you should get an expert eye.

For example, if this is a new problem that you have never experienced before, that’s a good indicator that you need to bring in an expert.

There are three main reasons for this. First, you may end up misdiagnosing your vehicle and spending precious time, resources and money on attempting to fix a problem that doesn’t actually exist or not getting to the core of the problem. Second, many times manufacturers are sending new information about all their vehicles to Windsor Nissan and a problem that you’re having could be similar to a problem that other owners have also had. In these cases, the experts truly know best because they’ve seen the problem and had the opportunity to fix it multiple times. Lastly, if you’re not a mechanic, you may end up actually harming your vehicle and doing more bad than good.

If your vehicle is behaving unusually or you’re concerned about something, please visit Windsor Nissan to get a proper diagnosis and get back on the road again. Remember, it could save you money in the long run.