5 signs your car is on its last legs

There comes a time in everyone’s life where you have to face facts: your car is ancient and in time for an upgrade. It may be hard to break up with ol’ reliable, but if you see any of these 5 signs, it’s best to junk or sell your car. Nowadays it’s easier to trade in or sell your car using Autovolo or a similar online platform.

Car Battery Damages or Corrosion

Corrosion (green powder) on the terminals is due to hydrogen gas being released from the acid in the battery. If the corrosion is happening on the negative terminal, your car is likely overcharging. You have two options here: thoroughly clean the battery while it’s out of the vehicle, or replace it. Either way, driving with a corroded battery is a ticking time bomb; your car could break down any minute.

If you’re repeatedly experiencing these issues, it’s a clear sign that your car is on its last legs and needs to be replaced. You may consider getting cash for cars in Dallas, if you are in the area, as many companies there specialize in buying cars with mechanical problems. It could be a good option to get some money back for your car while upgrading.

Lumps of Thick Oil Sticking Onto the Dipstick

To avoid damage to your engine, you need to change your oil regularly. If you choose not to, eventually the oil will burn inside the engine, which will cause the engine to seize. This is why it’s so important to get your oil checked every few weeks. Choosing to skip this step when servicing your car could mean the difference between having a well working engine and one that needs to be replaced.

Metal Flakes in the Oil

This could be another sign of corrosion. Rust can eventually take quite a toll on your car. Normal wear will give you microscopic metal particles in the oil, but large metal flakes is a red flag. Most likely, failing ball bearings are to blame. This corrosion can be caused by old age, or inadequate lubrication due to a worn pump, or loose clearances in the engine causing low oil pressure.

Green or Blue Puddles Under the Car

Coolant (antifreeze for green or windshield wiper fluid for blue) from your car is definitely leaking. Antifreeze usually leaks from your water pump, hoses or radiator when fitting, hoses, clamps or other pieces have worn out or aren’t appropriately attached. Using the wrong antifreeze can also cause leaking. Windshield wiper fluid can leak due to common usage. The fluid reservoir and tubing can also degrade as your car ages, and that degrade could result in a leak.

An Uneven Tire Tread

Suspension problems or misaligned wheels could be the culprit here. Too little tread can also be dangerous if the tire can’t grip the road. For this, you better hope the tires are the issue and not the suspension because you’ll be paying quite a lot to get that fixed. However, if the treads of your tires are uneven, it’s best to replace them. If winter is coming, be more diligent in replacing your tires. The last thing you need is to lose control of your vehicle.

Even with these issues, your car could still be salvaged. It’s best to use your own discretion if it’s worth selling your car, fixing it part way to sell it or to repair it entirely. Just don’t be that guy who sells someone a car and lying about the overall performance of it, no one wants to be that guy.