Driving when Retired

No car owner should put off needed repairs to their car, as parts that aren't working properly can put undue stress on the engine, transmission, and other major systems under the hood, and can also compromise your ability to control the car. A small repair that is simple and affordable to fix, if ignored, can also soon turn into a major repair job that leaves you without a car for days, and which is much more expensive! Note a few signs that your car needs repairs, so you always keep the vehicle in good condition.

Stalls

If your car often stalls when it's idling, this doesn't necessarily mean the engine itself is dying. Very often an engine stalls when the mixture of fuel and air that is needed to create combustion becomes unbalanced; the engine may be getting too much or too little fuel, or too much or too little oxygen, and combustion fails, so the engine stalls. This problem is often caused by a faulty fuel pump that doesn't deliver the right amount of fuel, or by a clog in the exhaust system, which allows oxygen to build up in the engine. Your mechanic should check the fuel pump and the catalytic converter, to note if either of these need replacing.

No pickup

If you notice your car suddenly struggling to accelerate from a full stop, this can be a faulty fuel pump or clogged exhaust system, mentioned above. Lack of pickup is one of the first signs you might notice before the car starts to stall from these needed repairs. However, lack of pickup can also mean clogged fuel injectors, so that the car isn't getting enough fuel even when you press down on the gas pedal. A brake calliper can also be sticking so that it causes resistance, or one tyre may be flat so that it causes drag.

Squealing

A fan belt that needs replacing may make a squealing noise, but the alternator also has a belt, and this can also squeal when it's ready to snap. If this happens, your car's battery will quickly drain.

The car's brake pads may be wet; this can cause a squealing sound as the metal pads scrape against the metal rotors. The brake pads may also be too large or small for the car, and they squeal as they squeeze closed or try to release from the rotors. If the car's belts are in good condition, the brakes should be checked and replaced as needed.