Car trouble

Say what the car is doing. We’ll get the parts.

Pick what’s wrong and you’ll see the likely causes, how to check each one yourself, and whether it’s a job for you or a mechanic. Tick the parts, give us the year, make and model, and a shopper takes it to the parts counter — who look up the exact part for your car.

This is a starting point, not a diagnosis. Most parts stores will read a check-engine code and test a battery for free — and anything that affects braking or steering should be looked at by a mechanic.

We bring you the part. We don’t fit it. This is a delivery — your runner collects what you asked for and hands it over, the same as any other errand. Fitting it is yours or your mechanic’s, and anything a runner might agree to do off the clock is a private arrangement between the two of you, not part of the run and not something DriverRuns stands behind.

Got a code off a scanner?

Type it in and we’ll tell you what it means.

Most parts stores read the code for free — and so does any cheap plug-in reader. Type what it gave you. We’ve written up 86 of the standard codes in plain English.

These are the standard OBD-II codes — required on every car sold in the US since 1996, and they mean the same thing on a Ford as on a Toyota. Codes a carmaker invented for itself (the ones starting P1) differ by make, so we say so rather than guess: a parts counter can read those for your exact car, usually for nothing.

Common ones:

Or just say what it’s doing.

No code needed — most of these never light the dashboard up at all.

39 symptoms

My car clicks but won’t start

You turn the key or push the button and hear clicking, but the engine doesn’t turn over. This is most often a battery problem.

Get to it this week · 3 likely causes

My brakes are grinding

A harsh metal-on-metal grinding when you brake usually means the pads are worn through. Every mile makes the repair bigger.

Stop driving it · 3 likely causes

My engine is overheating

The temperature gauge is climbing into the red, or you see steam from under the hood. Driving on an overheating engine can ruin it.

Stop driving it · 4 likely causes

My check engine light is flashing

A blinking check-engine light means the engine is misfiring badly right now. Unburned fuel can overheat and destroy the catalytic converter.

Stop driving it · 3 likely causes

My check engine light is on

A steady check-engine light means the computer stored a trouble code. It is usually not an emergency, but it should be read.

Get to it this week · 4 likely causes

My engine cranks but won’t start

The engine turns over normally but never catches and runs. That usually means it is missing fuel, spark, or the key signal.

Get to it this week · 4 likely causes

My battery keeps dying

The car starts after a jump but is dead again a day or two later. Either the battery can’t hold a charge, the car isn’t charging it, or something is draining it.

Get to it this week · 3 likely causes

My brake pedal feels soft or spongy

The pedal sinks further than it used to or feels mushy. That can mean a leak or air in the brake system.

Stop driving it · 3 likely causes

My oil light is on

The red oil-can light means the engine may not be getting enough oil pressure. An engine can be ruined in minutes without it.

Stop driving it · 3 likely causes

My brakes squeal

A high-pitched squeal when you brake is often the built-in wear warning telling you the pads are getting low.

Get to it this week · 3 likely causes

My car cranks slowly when it’s cold

On cold mornings the engine turns over slowly and struggles before it starts. A weak battery shows up first in the cold.

Get to it this week · 3 likely causes

My tire keeps losing air

One tire goes low every few days or weeks. There is usually a small puncture or a slow leak at the valve or rim.

Get to it this week · 3 likely causes

My tire pressure light is on

The horseshoe-shaped light with an exclamation point means at least one tire is low, or a sensor needs attention.

Get to it this week · 3 likely causes

My headlight is out

One headlight doesn’t come on. Most of the time it is just the bulb.

Get to it this week · 3 likely causes

My A/C blows warm air

The air conditioning runs but the air coming out isn’t cold. Most often the system is low on refrigerant from a leak.

Not urgent · 3 likely causes

My dashboard lights dim or flicker

The dash lights, headlights or radio dim and brighten, often with the engine running. That usually points to the charging system.

Get to it this week · 3 likely causes

My engine idles rough or shakes

The car shakes, stumbles or runs unevenly while stopped. A misfire or an air leak are the usual reasons.

Get to it this week · 4 likely causes

My car is leaking coolant or smells sweet

A bright green, orange or pink puddle, or a sweet syrupy smell, means coolant is getting out somewhere.

Get to it this week · 4 likely causes

My car is due for an oil change

The oil-change reminder is on, or the sticker on the windshield says it is time. Here is what to pick up.

Not urgent · 2 likely causes

My car squeals when I start it

A loud squeal from under the hood for a few seconds after starting, or when turning the wheel or switching on the A/C.

Get to it this week · 3 likely causes

My wipers streak or smear

The wipers leave streaks, smears or skip across the glass. Blades wear out every six to twelve months.

Get to it this week · 3 likely causes

My car shakes at highway speed

The steering wheel or the whole car vibrates at around 50 to 70 mph and smooths out at other speeds.

Get to it this week · 3 likely causes

My steering wheel shakes when I brake

The wheel or the pedal shudders when you slow down, especially from highway speed. The brake rotors are the usual cause.

Get to it this week · 3 likely causes

My car pulls to one side

On a straight, flat road the car drifts left or right when you loosen your grip on the wheel.

Get to it this week · 3 likely causes

My heater blows cold air

The engine is warm but the heat stays cool or lukewarm. The heater uses hot engine coolant, so it often starts there.

Get to it this week · 3 likely causes

My brake light is out

One or more brake lights don’t come on when you press the pedal. Drivers behind you may not see you stopping.

Get to it this week · 3 likely causes

My turn signal is blinking fast

The turn signal clicks twice as fast on one side. The car is telling you a bulb on that side is out.

Get to it this week · 3 likely causes

My car hesitates when I accelerate

You press the gas and the car stumbles, lags or bogs down before it picks up speed.

Get to it this week · 4 likely causes

My windshield washer isn’t spraying

You pull the washer lever and nothing comes out, or only a dribble.

Not urgent · 3 likely causes

My car pulls to one side when I brake

The car drifts left or right only when you press the brake. One side is braking harder than the other.

Get to it this week · 3 likely causes

I smell burning oil

A sharp burning-oil smell, often after driving, usually means oil is dripping onto the hot exhaust.

Get to it this week · 3 likely causes

My car clunks over bumps

You hear a knock or clunk from the front or back when you hit bumps or potholes.

Get to it this week · 3 likely causes

My steering is hard to turn

The steering wheel suddenly feels heavy, especially at low speed or when parking. Power steering assist has dropped out.

Stop driving it · 3 likely causes

My exhaust is suddenly loud

The car roars, rumbles or sounds like a race car, especially when you accelerate. Something in the exhaust has opened up.

Get to it this week · 4 likely causes

Something rattles under my car

A tinny rattle or buzz from underneath, often at idle or at certain engine speeds.

Not urgent · 3 likely causes

My car is getting worse gas mileage

You are filling up more often than you used to for the same driving. A few simple things are worth checking first.

Not urgent · 4 likely causes

My vents smell musty

A damp, moldy or dirty-sock smell comes out of the vents, usually when you first turn on the fan or A/C.

Not urgent · 3 likely causes

I need new air filters

The engine air filter and the cabin air filter are two of the easiest things to change yourself, usually with no tools.

Not urgent · 2 likely causes

My serpentine belt is cracked

You or a shop noticed cracks in the long rubber belt on the front of the engine. If it breaks, the car can lose charging, power steering and cooling.

Get to it this week · 3 likely causes

Already know the part and paid for it? Send someone to collect it.