Time for Acura Service? 3 Signs You Should Visit the Auto Shop

While your Acura will give you many signs that it needs service, it’s not always easy to understand those signs. Furthermore, when your vehicle appears to be running smoothly, you may neglect necessary Acura service If you’re unsure whether your vehicle is trying to tell you it needs work, err on the side of caution and schedule an appointment.

1. Your Vehicle Pulls to One Side

It’s a common misconception that if your vehicle pulls to one side that your Acura  is misaligned. This may be the case, but as soon as you notice your vehicle starting to pull, check for extra hard pulling when you brake. You may need to have the brake calipers on the side opposite of the pull checked. Brake caliper issues often happen after you get your oil changed at a “shop” that advertises five-minute oil changes. There are also other signs that you are having issues with your brake system. The most obvious sign is your ABS (automatic braking system) light coming on. You may also easily notice your brake pedal feeling soft or pulsating. Less obvious signs include your brakes making grinding or chirping noises or leaving brake dust on the wheels.

2. Your Lights Dim

Most people have a pretty good idea of when they need a new battery, but do you know when you need a new alternator? The most common sign that you need a new alternator is your headlights dim or flicker. While you may mistake this for a poor wire connection, it is a sign that the alternator is not charging your battery properly. Even if you don’t notice your headlights dim, you will certainly notice signs of a failing alternator as you leave the problem uncorrected. The next most common sign is other electrical failures occur. Your dashboard lights will start to dim and your air conditioning, power locks, and power windows will work only intermittently.

3. Your Fuel Economy Drops Significantly

If you notice your fuel economy drop significantly, schedule an appointment with your local Acura dealer right away. Much like a fever is a symptom of viral or bacterial infections, poor fuel economy is a symptom of several vehicle problems. Often, we see people come in with poor fuel economy who just need their air filter changed. A clogged air filter decreases fuel economy because your motor consumes extra fuel to produce power that it would usually derive from oxygen. Another common sign that you need to change your air filter right away is that your service engine light comes on. You may have neglected to change your air filter for so long that your motor sustained significant damage. While vehicle maintenance and repairs may seem like a headache, it’s not when you visit a professional. Give us a call to get your next service appointment scheduled!

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