
Here we are again. It’s yet another New Year and, we hope, another full year of safe and reliable motoring. Remember though that through the dark months your car is taking a bit of a beating from the weather and the often less than perfect roads, so here are a few tips that may make those worrying moments a little less fraught with indecision.
Where Is My Coolant Going?
Modern cars (we’re talking internal combustion motors here; electric vehicles have a different set of parameters) have sealed systems to cool the engine. These systems circulate water mixed with antifreeze to help keep the hot-running engine at a reasonable working temperature. Sometimes though, the attentive owner may notice a drop in the water level in the expansion tank (see your handbook).
Often, most drivers may see a small puddle below the stationary cars. Usually this is nothing to worry about because that water is condensation from the air conditioning system or from the exhaust (see below). Condensation from the air conditioning system is the most common cause of a car seeming to be leaking water when parked. If you see water dripping from under your car on around the rear of the engine compartment when the air-con is running, it's likely going to be just condensation. Don’t worry about it.
Water around the exhaust suggests exhaust condensation. In most cases, exhaust condensation is also nothing to worry about, unless there are very large clouds of white condensation. This could be a signifier that coolant has found its way into the combustion chambers and is burning alongside the fuel mixture. Could it be a head gasket blown? This is the time to consult your local professional garage, who can identify faults and recommend suitable action.
Real Leaks
Anything other than the condensation tip detailed could be a problem. Coolant leaks often appear as brightly coloured puddles (you might have heard them referred to as ‘dead rainbows’) under the car. These can be caused by a faulty or leaking or damaged radiator, hose, or gasket. A car leaking coolant will probably overheat, potentially leading to serious engine damage.
Not wishing to worry everybody, other leaks could see brake fluid loss due to faulty seals. This can usually be seen a round the wheels. Transmission fluid can on rare occasions leak, especially if the service schedule has not be adhered to. You’ll see the leak as red or brown fluid under the car in the vicinity of the gearbox. This is serious and will require the services of a car servicing garage with modern equipment and know-how.
My Car Is Juddering
Cars are designed to run smoothly; that’s a given. Sudden juddering tells you that all is not well. Finding out why your car is juddering or ‘stuttering’, whether it be when you are on the move or when idle can be complicated because cars are complex machines.
Any kind of judder poses a risk to all on board and indeed potentially to other road users. Prompt action is required. Many causes of car juddering are not serious and can be easily remedied but there is a possibility that the car may have developed a serious problem. Get it looked at by a garage pronto to avoid more costly repairs being needed down the line.
A stuttering engine may be caused by dirty or worn spark plugs; a simple fix. More seriously, if an ignition coil fails, it won’t ignite the air-fuel mixture and a cylinder will stop operating momentarily, interrupting the engine's power production, hence the judder or stutter. On diesel cars the issue may be a blocked catalytic converter (follow the designated routine procedure for ‘burning off’ accumulation in the converter, often caused by many short local journeys without a longer run) or by blocked fuel injectors.
Juddering could also be caused by brakes grabbing or locking on, wheels out of alignment or unbalanced. This can be cause by kerb strikes for example. It might be clutch wear (you should sense this at the pedal where you will feel a lack of ‘bite’). A dirty or blocked air filter will give problems at idle as will fuel injectors. The former is usually a very simple fix. Fuel blockages caused by a clogged fuel filter might cause hesitant running; the list goes on and on.
The Dreaded Check Engine Light

This is one of the warning symbols on your dashboard array. All the warning lights should come on at start-up and then immediately extinguish. If they don’t, then act on that warning. If the ‘check engine’ light flashes (vehicle dependent – see your handbook), then the engine sensors are hinting at an intermittent problem. If it’s red then you’ve got a major issue. Switch off at once and get professional help.
The Solution
This is all very worrying isn’t it? After all, your car runs well all the time – until it doesn’t. That’s the nature of mechanical things. The solution is quite simply to adhere to the servicing schedule designed for your car and have that work carried out at a proper car servicing garage. Correct maintenance minimises problems, so if any of these issues arise as you begin driving into 2025, well, you know who to call.
Commentaires