Common Car Problem Solutions

By Melanie Libatique

Common Car Problem Solutions. Common car problems that most of us face revolve in these car parts: air conditioner, brakes, and transmission.Indeed, a quick survey among auto repair shops will reveal that AC repair, brake repair, and transmission repair are the most common auto services availed by car owners.

The most common problem when it comes to auto ACs is when the AC unit produces air that is not cool enough. Because of this, AC repair has been a must, especially for places like Tampa that experiences hot summer days. Usually, this problem is caused by inadequate supply of refrigerant in the system. Old hoses, evaporators, and condensers can also pose problems as they can be prone to holes and cracks which can lead to leaks. When this happens, the leak needs to be identified and repaired before the system is recharged. Most unscheduled AC repair stopovers are due to leaky AC units. So when you are getting a general car check-up in an auto repair shop, never forget to tell your mechanic to double check for leaks.




Brake repair is eminent, especially when experiencing the following:

(1) Noisy brakes
(2) Vibrating brake pedals
(3) Too stiff brake pedals

Worn out brake pads or lack of lubrication are the typical causes of noisy brakes. This problem usually requires replacement of caliper and pads, while some cases simply require cleaning or dampening the brake pads. When it comes to pulsating or vibrating brake pedals; warped brake rotors need to be resurfaced or replaced. There are instances when wheel bearings cause vibrations so have it double checked. Lastly, brake repair for stiff brake pedals involves fixing or replacing the vacuum hose or booster. Check valves are also checked as they can also cause hard pedals when brakes are applied.

Transmission repair revolves around two things: a transmission that won't go smoothly, and one that would not go, period. Normally, these two things are caused by low fluid level so it is imperative that you check your transmission fluid twice a year at the very least. Low fluid level is the number one cause of transmission failure and other costly auto repair. If you experience constant low fluid level, then maybe it is time to check for leaks. Since this system is a closed one, there are very few places that can spring a leak. These are the filler tube base, drain hole, selector shaft, speed sensor mounting point, and the radiator. In addition, replace your filters regularly and make sure you do this before thinking about other transmission repair options such as transmission rebuild and replacement.

When it comes to the repair cost of these common car problems, the cheapest is the AC repair while the most expensive is the transmission repair. Transmission repairs usually costs $200-$1000, depending on the extent of the repair or if there are replacements to be made. The costs of manual and automatic transmissions also differ from each other. Make sure you clear this out with your mechanic.