If you’re looking at a list of auto repairs your car needs and you’re not sure how serious the problem is; keep reading and find out why some car repairs take top priority over others.
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Car ownership comes with a lot of responsibilities. Bringing your vehicle to the shop routinely is one of them. But what do you do when you get your inspection report back from the mechanic stating your car is falling apart. What do you do when you’re driving down the road, then you hear this obnoxious whining noise you’ve never heard before?
Knowing which repairs can wait and which repairs can’t will save you a lot of time and money.
Auto repairs can get very expensive. You got to ask yourself – What car repairs really need immediate attention? What car repairs can wait? Do I even need it? Can I do this myself? Is it covered under warranty?
Read my post on why are cars so expensive to fix
Jump straight to your auto repair
Check Engine Light and other system malfunction lights

Cars nowadays have dozens of sensors sending data to different computers. If a computer in your car receives bad data from one of it’s sensors, it will trigger a malfunction indicator light on your dashboard.
It’s always a good idea to get your car checked by a professional whenever a warning light shows up. However, some shops and places like Autozone will check your code for free. Having your own hand-held scanner will also be convenient. But then again, checking the code is only one part of the equation, diagnosing it is another. We’ll leave that topic for another day.
Check Engine Light
Definitely something you would want to take care of right away. This means a system or multiple systems that have to do with drivability and emissions is malfunctioning. Besides the fact that other components may fail if you neglect to get this fixed, safety issues like stalling while driving may occur.
Air Bag/SRS Light
Having this light illuminated on your dashboard simply means none of your airbags will deploy if you get in an accident. That’s a big-time safety issue. This is a repair that can’t wait.
ABS/Traction Control Light
These systems are supposed to help you keep control of your vehicle when driving on hazardous road conditions. When these lights stay illuminated, these systems will not operate as intended. Sure, you can drive your car without ABS and Traction Control, but it’s one of those things you don’t need until you need it.
Brake Light
Be careful when you see this light on your dash. It can be as simple as your brake fluid level being low due to worn brake pads and shoes. Or at times, it can also mean a brake fluid leak is present in your brake system. First thing you should do is check your brake fluid level. Second, check to see if your brake pedal feels soft and spongy. Do not drive your car if your brake pedal goes all the way down to the floor without any resistance. This is one auto repair that can’t wait.
Battery Light
Your car battery is the source of everything electric in your car. The car battery then gets charged by the alternator when the engine is running. Your car’s battery light will come on if there is an issue with your charging system. If you see this light on your dash, pull over at the safest possible location and call a tow truck service. Your car will not make it very far with battery power alone.
Driving Assist and other Miscellaneous Lights
The malfunction lights listed above are the most common to occur. A lot of newer vehicles in production today now come with driver safety assist systems that are supposed to reduce the chance of being in an accident. Systems like Pre-Collision and Blind Spot Monitor also have sensors and computers that can set malfunction lights on your dashboard.
Although such systems are nice to have and should be repaired eventually, they are not as urgent as the ones listed above. These auto repairs can be costly due to damaged sensors from fender benders or broken windshields and are usually not covered under your vehicle’s factory warranty.
Fluid Leaks

Components like your engine and your transmission are composed of multiple different parts and covers. They are sealed by the manufacturer using silicone and gaskets. These materials are not intended to last the lifetime of your vehicle (although some do). Leaks can develop overtime and as your vehicle racks up some mileage, they can get worse.
What should you do when your mechanic tells you that your car has developed a leak?
You need to see it for yourself, plain and simple. It wouldn’t hurt to ask your mechanic to show you the extent of the leak. Seeing it with your own eyes gives you a better understanding and enables you to make the right decision.
Slow seep or moisture
A lot of car manufacturers will not consider oil moisture build-up as a leak. Some of these conditions are normal. So if you don’t see any droplets of oil or any fluids forming, do not be too concerned. But keep in mind, these slow seeps may eventually turn into a big leak sometime down the road. That is why it’s crucial to stay vigilant by checking your oil level and getting your oil change done regularly.
Oil droplets forming and dripping to the floor
When you see oil droplets forming underneath your vehicle, it’s only a matter of time before the leak starts causing major issues. Oil is needed in order to protect and lubricate your car’s most critical components. You would never want to run these systems dry. Therefore, if the leak looks big, you’d definitely want to get it fixed right away.
Brakes

Having your brakes serviced is one of the most common repairs you’ll need to do as a car owner. Many people often neglect and forget to think about the safety issues that can occur when the brakes fail to do their job. If you hear abnormal noises or experience heavy vibrations when your stepping on your brake pedal, it’s not a bad idea to get your car checked by a professional as soon as possible. It’s also important to keep in mind that some brake noise may be normal, at times, depending on the conditions you’re driving in.
Can I do my brakes myself?
As a matter of fact, brakes are probably one of the easiest DIY repairs you can do to your car. As easy as they are done though, they are also very easy to mess up; not using grease, over tightening the fasteners, and sometimes even putting the brake pads backwards.
One mistake a lot of people make is buying the cheapest parts possible. Yes, installing a new set of rotors and brake pads yourself can be cheaper than if you were to have your brakes done at the dealership. But putting on cheap parts will usually cost you more down the road.
If you do end up taking your vehicle to a professional for a brake service, make sure to always ask for the current measurements of your brake pads, rotors, brake shoes, and drums. Manufacturers have different specifications on when these components have to be changed. Getting your brake job done before these parts make metal to metal contact will save you a lot of money. Brake rotors and drums can be re-surfaced and machined as long as they have not gone below or above factory specs.
Suspension

Your vehicle’s suspension is what takes most of the beating from the harsh road conditions. Your suspension keeps your car planted while keeping you comfortable at the same time. In the world of auto repair, some suspension parts have a bigger impact on your driving than others.
You may not notice it when some of these parts fail. It may even come as a surprise when your mechanic tells you one of your shock absorbers is leaking because your car felt fine when you were driving it to work the day before.
If you don’t have the money to fix this problem right then and there and your car seems to be driving just fine, don’t fret. This car repair can wait. This doesn’t mean that you should just ignore this issue though. You should still put it in your agenda and get it fixed when you can.
On the other side of the spectrum, some broken suspension parts are more noticeable than others. If you see your car sitting lower on one side or if your car pulls one way whenever you hit a bump, do not ignore it. These are signs of failure and can be a big safety issue.
Tires and Alignment

In a perfect world, a set of tires should last you 3-5 years. But things do happen and getting that occasional puncture can be very inconvenient, at the very least. Driving with a leak in one of your tires is a big hazard. Luckily, most modern cars come with a tire pressure monitoring system that warns you if your tire pressures are below a threshold value. Some cars even tell you which tire is leaking.
When you do get this warning light on your dashboard, do not ignore it. Look for which tire looks flat; and either put your spare tire on or go to your nearest gas station if a tire shop is too far away. Most gas stations will let you use their air compressors for free, if you ask nicely.
Some punctures can be repaired by plugging or patching. Punctures on the sidewall of your tire can’t. When a tire repair is not possible, don’t go picking the cheapest tire you can find. Always try to match the other tires you have installed. It’s pretty obvious that a flat tire is an auto repair that can’t wait.
Once it’s time to get your vehicle a fresh set of tires, it’s often advised to do an alignment with it. Keeping your alignment angles within factory specifications is very important as you want to give your new tires the best set up for longevity. Having your alignment out-of-whack will cause tire failure and premature wear. This auto repair is a must whenever you get new tires.
Oil Change & Tire Rotation

Service frequency may vary from one manufacturer to another. But it’s always a good practice to get your oil change and tire rotation done every five-thousand miles. But can this auto repair wait? Yes, it can. Missing it by as much as five-hundred miles would have little to no effect, but it still doesn’t mean you should.
Additionally, a lot of expensive repairs can be avoided by simply doing your oil change and tire rotation routinely. The ability of oil to lubricate and protect your engine degrades as the oil gets more mileage. Having your tires rotated promotes even tire wear and let’s you get the most life out of your tires.
Coming in for service regularly also gives you a better understanding of the condition of your car, as full inspections are often included.
If you like servicing your car yourself, make sure you buy the right type of oil and the right amount for your engine. Having the proper tools is also crucial. Invest in some good quality jacks and jack-stands if you think you’re gonna be doing this on your own.
Fluid Exchange and Other Wear and Tear Parts
Don’t forget that there are other types of fluids in your car besides your engine oil. Transmission fluid, differential fluid, transfer case fluid, and coolant also have to be drained and replaced to keep your car running smoothly and protect it from abnormal wear.
These fluids have different service intervals depending on the driving conditions your vehicle is being put through. Refer to your owner’s manual or do some digging online if you’re not sure when to service them.
Other wear and tear items like your drive belt, timing belt (on some cars), air filters, and spark plugs are also recommended by the manufacturers to be replaced at certain intervals.
These so called preventative maintenance can usually wait but should not be set aside for too long to avoid spending more money for repairs in the future.
Conclusion
Finding out that something broke in your car is bad news. Finding out how much it’s gonna’ cost to fix it, is even worse. In the world of auto repair, knowing which repairs take top priority is key. Safety issues should always be taken care of first. If a problem is not related to safety but can cause breakdowns down the line, get it fixed. Don’t hold off on repairs for too long, as your list of things to fix will get longer and can get overwhelming.
Build a good relationship with your mechanic because most of them will be willing to help you out and give you their honest advise. It also wouldn’t hurt to learn how to do some of the repairs yourself. Fixing your car is not rocket science and can easily be done with expert advise.
Do you have any questions regarding what auto repairs can and can’t wait on your car? Leave a comment down below and get an expert’s advise.
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