Signs It’s Time for a Major Service Visit (Even If Your GMC Feels Fine)

No driver wants to deal with a breakdown on the side of Route 25 or find out they have a dead battery after a particularly stressful day at work, but these things can happen. It may be easy to ignore the signs that your vehicle is giving you when something is wrong; however, what if there aren’t any signs to begin with? In all actuality, it’s rare not to have any signs at all when something is amiss with your vehicle.

In fact, although subtle, your vehicle is great at letting you know when there’s something that needs your attention, and here at McCluskey Buick GMC, we can get to the bottom of it. If you are one of the many driving a GMC, you’ve come to the right place; we’re the best GMC service center near Covington to partner with, so when it comes to speaking your car’s language, we’re fluent.

Decreased Efficiency

Are you finding yourself at the gas station more often than usual these days? You may not be imagining it, especially if your once-efficient Terrain is costing you more time and money at the pump. There are a number of reasons why fuel efficiency may be decreasing in your vehicle, including needing an oil change, a new set of tires, or a new air filter.

As you travel around Covington, contaminants have their way of sneaking into your vehicle in various ways, clogging up filters and causing your engine to overwork, thus impacting fuel economy. The good news is that, in most cases, these are simple fixes that warrant a stop by your trusted service center, so don’t ignore this subtle sign and bring your vehicle to us as soon as you can.

Unusual Smells or Noises

Your Canyon may be running just fine as you make your way along the Licking River each day—but why is it stinky? You may have noticed a small permeating the air, and once you’ve deduced that it’s coming from your vehicle, you’ll want to take care of this right away.

For example, a sweet or burning smell may indicate that something is amiss with your transmission, which warrants a trip to the service center to avoid a costly repair. Additionally, you may notice a strange noise coming from your vehicle, like a squealing when you apply the brakes. This could mean that your brake pads are worn out and need to be replaced or dust has built up in your brakes. Any type of strange smell or noise needs to be addressed.

Subtle Handling Shifts

As you travel past Mt. Echo Park, pay attention to your vehicle’s performance. If there is something amiss, chances are your vehicle is going to let you know about it—although sometimes, it’s subtle. Any type of vibration could be anything from a tire issue to issues with your vehicle’s suspension system, which can really influence the overall satisfaction of your ride through Covington.

If you start having difficulty steering, you may be in need of more power steering fluid. If you’ve noticed that your vehicle’s gears are slipping as you’re traveling, your transmission may need to be addressed. Another telltale sign that something is wrong is when your vehicle has difficulty starting, as this could be your battery going bad. All of these can subtly affect the quality of your ride, and when you address them early enough, you can prevent a big problem from erupting.

Fluid Leaks

Picture this: You go out to your car in the morning to head to work, and there’s a puddle of fluid underneath it. Any type of fluid (other than a little water) underneath your vehicle means that there’s a leak somewhere. You just have to figure out what’s leaking, which is where we come in to help.

Red or brownish fluid typically comes from the transmission, while brown to black fluid comes from the engine. Transparent yellow or brown fluid means your brake fluid is leaking, and clear, red, or brown fluid indicates it’s your power steering fluid. It’s important to let your technician know the color of the fluid underneath your vehicle so that they know where to start looking.

Overheating Engine

If you’ve ever paid attention to the gauge display behind your steering wheel, chances are you’ve noticed the temperature gauge, which is typically situated more toward the cooler end of the spectrum. If you happen to notice it creeping up more and more as you make your way around Covington, you’ll want to get your vehicle checked out.

This is an obvious sign that your engine is overworking. Although it may not be immediately apparent that something is wrong, an overheating vehicle is a huge cause for concern, as it could result in needing a new engine or breaking down on the side of I-471—or both.

Excess Exhaust Smoke

Every vehicle with an internal combustion engine will have some type of vapor coming out of its exhaust; however, excessive smoke (or worse, black smoke) means that something isn’t working quite right inside your vehicle. This can be a result of anything from a clogged air filter to problems with the combustion process of the fuel.

If you notice a stream of smoke coming from the back or side of your vehicle (wherever your exhaust is located), pay attention to the color and bring your vehicle in so that our pros can find the culprit responsible for this issue.

‘Check Engine’ Light

Last but certainly not least, any time you notice the ‘check engine’ light illuminated on your dash, you’ll want to take it seriously, even if your vehicle feels fine when you’re driving it. This means that your vehicle’s own diagnostic system has detected an anomaly, whether it lies in the engine, transmission, fuel system, or somewhere else. It signifies that something in your vehicle needs your attention, which is why you don’t want to wait to take your vehicle to a certified service center.

Many new GMC vehicles will let you know on the Driver Information Center display when something is amiss, as well as when service is recommended. This makes it easy to find out about a problem, even when your GMC feels absolutely fine while you’re working, adventuring, and commuting throughout Kenton County.

Your GMC’s Service Needs

It’s imperative that you never ignore what your GMC may be telling you, even if the signs aren’t that obvious. From clogged filters to fluid leaks, you may not notice a change in your vehicle’s performance right away, and sometimes, you may not notice it at all until it’s too late. Fortunately, you have us to help you out with all your vehicle’s service and repair needs; when you have a team of professionals like us taking care of your vehicle, you greatly reduce the risk of problems erupting as you travel.

GMC’s models are built to higher standards, but every vehicle can succumb to everyday wear and tear, which is why you want to have a trusted service center to help you when this happens. Whether you’re working hard in the Sierra 2500 or shuttling the kiddos all around town in a Yukon, McCluskey Buick GMC can help you with major service on your GMC so that it continues to offer you the ride you deserve, mile after mile.