Common Powertrain Problems That We Can Help You With

So you're driving down the street, and everything seems fine, then you come to a red light, and your car gives a little shudder as it stops, or maybe you hear your engine running louder or rougher than usual. Even worse, perhaps everything seems to be going well until you smell something burning or see smoke come out from under your hood. These are all situations that can ruin your day and leave you scrambling for a service center near Charleston to help you and get you back on the road quickly. Here at Hendrick Automotive Group, our service centers are fully equipped to assist you with everything you need. It's easy for our vehicles to be mysteries to us since they're such complicated machines, but there are some fairly common issues that can cause your car to run rougher than it should. Here are some typical causes of rough running and car troubles that you should keep in mind.

Engine Issues

Your engine works hard every moment you're driving around Charleston and it takes a lot of abuse while doing so. Proper service often focuses on your engine and keeping things working properly, though some issues can still arise even with such maintenance. The sooner you act to resolve these problems, the easier it is to avoid a much larger issue.

Dirty/Low Motor Oil

One of the most common problems for an engine is not having enough or proper motor oil to keep running smoothly. The oil in your engine lubricates moving parts and helps reduce heat buildup so that your engine doesn't damage itself. Old oil gets dirty and thicker so it doesn't work as well, while not having enough oil can be catastrophic. Fortunately, routine oil changes are the simplest way to avoid problems with your engine oil.

Spark Plug Problems

Your spark plugs provide the ignition for the combustion in your internal combustion engine, so they're invaluable. If you start feeling your engine running rough or you can hear/feel it running in a way that isn't smooth, then you could have a spark plug misfiring. Spark plugs are designed to function for a long time but they wear out eventually. Letting us replace one or more spark plugs is a quick and easy way to keep your engine running well.

Low/Dirty Coolant

Even with proper oil, your engine still creates massive amounts of heat while you drive around Charleston, which is why you have a radiator and coolant. If your engine starts overheating or running rough and getting hotter than normal, you likely have a coolant issue. This is often due to your coolant getting old or a leak that results in low coolant, though sometimes your radiator might need to be replaced to keep working properly.

Belt or Hose Problems

A number of belts are used as part of your engine and powertrain to transfer power from one point to another—such as from the engine to the alternator. If these belts are damaged or in rough shape, then you'll often feel things not running properly. Numerous hoses run fluid throughout your powertrain and any type of leaking fluid can create issues and hamper performance, which is why it's important that routine maintenance includes inspections of your belts and hoses to stay ahead of problems before they develop.

Transmission Issues

The engine is only one part of the powertrain that keeps your vehicle running properly so you can go run errands in Charleston or get to work. Your transmission is involved in transferring power from the engine to the wheels of your vehicle, which is done through numerous gears or a similar system. Transmission problems can be a hassle and cause your vehicle to run much rougher, particularly while accelerating and slowing when your transmission is most engaged.

Low Fluid/Fluid Leaks

Transmission fluid is vital to this system functioning properly but just like the fluids involved with your engine, it can need to be replaced or added to. One of the most common telltale signs of leaking transmission fluid is a burning smell as it drips onto the hot parts of your transmission. You might also notice your transmission struggling to stay in gear if you have a leak since the system can't function properly.
​

Trouble With Shifting

If you can hear or feel your vehicle struggling to shift from one gear to the next, then you almost certainly have a problem with your transmission. Other than the fluid, the system can be worn down and damaged over time, so the gears might not function and interact properly—even if you have a continuously variable transmission, you can still feel issues with it not running right as parts wear out over time.

Slipping Transmission/High Engine Revving

One of the most common problems with a transmission is when the gears slip from one position to another, or you hear/feel your engine revving higher than it should. This usually means there's an issue with your transmission fluid or internal wear and tear on transmission parts, causing things to not stay where they should while you drive. That high revving often occurs because your vehicle isn't shifting gears like it should, so driving feels like something isn't right.

Exhaust Issues

Although it's easy to think of the exhaust as part of the rear of your vehicle, it connects all the way to your engine and is part of the powertrain. Your exhaust system is essential for proper performance and fuel efficiency as it plays a role in air and pollutants exiting your engine. It also reduces the pollution your vehicle produces and includes a muffler to reduce the noise your vehicle creates, which are equally important.

Exhaust Leaks or Damage

One of the most common types of exhaust issues is a leaky or damaged exhaust system, which you can often see because the exhaust isn't going out the rear of your vehicle as it should. Other than visual cues, you might also hear that there's a leak or damage to your exhaust system somewhere since gasses are able to escape from what should be a closed system leading to your rear exhaust pipes.

Loose Exhaust Pipes

The various pipes and components of your exhaust system are all secured in place to move gasses from the front of your vehicle to the rear. If some part of it comes loose, you might hear humming or feel vibrations because they're no longer properly secured. You might also feel and hear loud vibrations if some other part of your vehicle is touching the exhaust system—either way, parts need to be properly secured in place to avoid bigger issues.

Broken Exhaust Components

Beyond the pipes, you can see there are numerous components involved in your exhaust system, including the catalytic converter, muffler, and more. If any of these parts are damaged or malfunctioning, then you might hear louder performance, feel a rougher ride, or dramatically lose performance or fuel efficiency. All of these things can be addressed by having your exhaust system looked at and repaired.

How Can Charleston Drivers Fix These Problems?

While some people enjoy working on their vehicles themselves, we always suggest bringing your car to the experts at our service centers to ensure it's in the best shape possible. Replacing your windshield wipers or adding coolant to your radiator are simple things you can easily do yourself, but when you're talking about the performance and functions of your engine, transmission, or exhaust system, then you're looking at vital service that needs to be done properly.

A small mistake while working on any of these systems can have potentially catastrophic consequences, which can be incredibly costly or result in the need for a completely new vehicle. Bring your car to one of our Hendrick Automotive Group service centers and let our experts work on it so that you can drive with total confidence. No matter what warning signs you've noticed, the sooner you let us take care of them for you, the better.