Memorial Day weekend is a good time to shop for a car. Sales abound not only because of the holiday, but also because dealers want to make sure they meet their monthly sales goals. And the last weekend of the month is an ideal time.
For all the sales that took place this weekend (and during Labor Day weekend, where most new models are unveiled) , there are still a number of older cars on the road. With that, it is likely that drivers are driving on worn brakes, bald tires and other maladies that they have not addressed despite the age of their vehicles.
Indeed, a small number of car crashes are directly attributable to mechanical errors (about 10 percent according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), but untreated problems can lead to disaster.
Because of this, drivers should pay attention to the following warning signals.
Squeaks – If you’re hearing this when you try to stop, chances are that you have badly worn brakes. It is critical that you don’t lose your car’s stopping power at an inopportune time, so getting your brakes serviced is critical.
Growls – If you car growls when you make turns or change lanes, it doesn’t mean that you car is having hunger pangs. Instead, your wheel bearings, which allow your wheels to turn freely, may be defective.
Humming – If you hear this while speeding down the highway, your tires may be bald and need to be replaced. After all, if you lose contact with the road, or your tires explode, you run the risk of being in an accident.