Car fault symptoms how to spot them and what causes them
Spot vehicle fault symptoms early. From strange noises to dashboard lights - practical advice from the Auto Gas Gaga workshop in Banja Luka.
Signs worth paying attention to
A car almost never breaks down without warning. A strange noise, weak pulling, a flickering warning light, an unusual smell - these are signs that deserve attention before they turn into an expensive repair. Here we collect the advice that helps you tell urgent from non-urgent, and when it is time to drop by the workshop.
Driving Noise That Isn't Coming From the Engine, How to Identify the Source
Humming, knocking, or squealing while driving that isn't from the engine? How to narrow down the cause by speed, road surface, and where the sound comes from.
Read guide →Fuel Gauge Reading Wrong or Jumping - Causes and How to Check
Fuel gauge jumping, stuck on full or empty, or the low-fuel light comes on for no reason? We explain how the fuel level sensor works and what to check.
Read guide →Weak Battery as a Cause of False Warning Lights and Dashboard Errors
ESP, ABS, airbag, and power steering lights can come on just because of a weak battery. How to spot false errors before paying for expensive electronics diagnostics.
Read guide →Parking Sensors Not Working or Beeping Constantly - Causes and Checks
Parking sensors not responding, beeping without an obstacle, or showing an error? Most common causes, how to check which sensor is faulty, and when to visit a workshop.
Read guide →Fuel Pressure Regulator on Petrol Engines - Symptoms and Testing
Hard starting, petrol smell, and black smoke can point to a faulty fuel pressure regulator. How to spot the problem and what a mechanic checks with a gauge.
Read guide →Control Arm Bushings and How to Tell They Need Replacing
How to spot worn control arm bushings by sound, handling and tyre wear, what types exist and when it's time for replacement.
Read guide →Fuel Evaporation System on Petrol Cars and Why It Triggers the Warning Light
Purge valve, charcoal canister, and fuel cap most often trigger check engine on petrol cars. How the EVAP system works and what to do about fault codes.
Read guide →Uneven Tire Wear and What the Tread Pattern Tells You About Your Car
A tire worn on the edge or down the center is never random. Each wear pattern points to a specific problem, from pressure to suspension and shocks.
Read guide →Sway Bar Links and How to Tell They Need Replacing
Sway bar links are the most common wear item on the suspension. Clunking over bumps is the key symptom. How to check, lifespan, and why not to delay.
Read guide →What to Check on Your Car After Hitting a Big Pothole
Hit a big pothole and unsure if something broke? Here is what to check right away, what to watch for in the days after, and when to visit a mechanic.
Read guide →ESP warning light on the dashboard, why it comes on and whether you can keep driving
ESP light stays on or flashes on the dashboard? We explain the difference, the most common causes and when it's safe to drive to a shop vs. when it's not.
Read guide →Engine bay noises and what each one is telling you
Knocking, humming, squealing or rattling under the hood? We explain the most common engine sounds, their causes, and when you need to act immediately.
Read guide →Bad Ground on a Car and How to Spot Corroded Ground Contacts
Lights flickering, starter barely cranking but the battery is fine? A corroded ground is often the culprit. Learn the symptoms and where to find grounding points.
Read guide →Airbag Warning Light on the Dashboard, Causes and Is It Safe to Drive
Airbag warning light on? We explain the most common causes from clock spring to seat sensors, whether it's safe to drive, and what to check first.
Read guide →What Happens to Your Engine When You Delay an Oil Change
Degraded oil damages bearings, lifters, and turbos. We explain what happens inside the engine when a service is overdue and how much margin exists.
Read guide →Timing Belt or Chain Replacement, When and Why Not to Delay
Timing belt and chain replacement intervals by age and mileage, chain stretch symptoms, wet belts, and golden rules when buying a used car.
Read guide →When to Change Oil, Filters and Fluids, Complete Interval Guide
When to change engine oil, every filter, brake fluid, coolant and gearbox oil. Honest ranges with the conditions that shorten each interval.
Read guide →Signs Your Brakes Need Service, Ranked by Severity
Squealing, a soft pedal, steering wheel pulsing and longer stopping distances are clear signs your brakes need service. Which symptom demands what urgency.
Read guide →How to Get Your Car Ready for Summer and Avoid Heat Breakdowns
A/C, cooling system, tyres, battery and wipers. A full summer checklist so your car handles the heat without overheating, a dead battery or a blowout.
Read guide →How to Tell Your Clutch Is Slipping and Why You Should Not Wait
RPMs climb but the car barely accelerates, burning smell after hills, bite point creeps up. How to recognize clutch slip and what happens if you delay.
Read guide →Spring Vehicle Inspection, What Winter Leaves Behind
Salt, potholes and moisture leave damage on the underbody, brakes and suspension. What to check on your spring inspection and why not to wait for symptoms.
Read guide →Car Warning Signs Drivers Put Off Until They Cost a Fortune
Warning lights, noises, smells, and vibrations your car sends before an expensive breakdown. What each signal means and why you should not delay.
Read guide →What to Check on Your Car Before a Long Trip, Step by Step
Complete car checklist before a long trip: service and tires a week ahead, fluids and documents the day before. Prevent breakdowns far from home.
Read guide →Steering Pulls to One Side and How to Tell the Causes Apart
Steering pulls constantly, only when braking, or after a tire change? We break down causes by situation, from tire pressure to alignment and suspension.
Read guide →Why Cars Fail the Technical Inspection and How to Prevent It
Lights, brakes, suspension, emissions and tires top the annual inspection fail list. Here is what to check the day before so you pass first try.
Read guide →Car Won't Start: What to Check Based on the Sound You Hear
Car won't start and you don't know where to begin? Here's how to narrow down the cause based on the sound you hear when you turn the key.
Read guide →Check Engine Light, Can You Keep Driving and What to Do
Check engine light flashing or steady? We explain the difference between yellow and red warning lights, the most common causes, and how diagnostics work.
Read guide →Exhaust Smoke by Colour: What White, Blue, and Black Smoke Mean
White smoke may be condensation or a head gasket leak, blue means oil burning, black means a rich mixture. How to read the colour and when to act.
Read guide →What Goes Into a Minor Service and How Often You Need One
What exactly a minor service covers, which filters get replaced and when, why longlife intervals often don't suit BiH conditions, and signs you're overdue.
Read guide →Signs Your Car Battery Is Dying and When to Replace It
Slow cranking, electronics resetting, and start-stop shutting off are the most common signs of a weak battery. How to test it and when to replace.
Read guide →Dashboard Warning Lights and What Each Color Means
Red, yellow, or green dashboard light? We explain the color logic and the most common warnings (oil, battery, check engine, ABS, DPF) and what to do.
Read guide →Clunking Over Potholes and Speed Bumps, Causes Ranked by Likelihood
Hearing clunks over potholes and speed bumps? We rank the most common causes from stabilizer links to springs and explain how a mechanic finds the fault.
Read guide →Increased Fuel Consumption, How to Find the Cause and What to Check
Car burning more fuel than before? Rule out external factors first, then check the oxygen sensor, MAF, thermostat and air filter. Here is the right order.
Read guide →EPC warning light on the dashboard - what it means and why it comes on in VW group cars
The EPC light on a VW, Skoda, Audi, or SEAT usually points to a faulty throttle body or brake light switch. Here is how to identify the cause.
Read guide →Limp Mode (Emergency Mode) and Why Your Car Suddenly Loses Power
Car suddenly won't respond to the throttle and barely moves? The ECU has activated limp mode. We explain why it happens and whether you can keep driving.
Read guide →Car losing coolant and the level keeps dropping — where to look
Coolant level keeps dropping? We explain the most common causes of coolant loss, the difference between external and internal leaks, and how the fault is traced.
Read guide →Car heater not heating or barely warm: causes and checks
When the cabin heater stays cold or lukewarm: thermostat, coolant, heater core, blower and blend door. How to spot the cause before the workshop.
Read guide →Why the car cranks but won't start and what the key light means
Key light is on, car cranks but won't start or dies right after starting. How to recognise an immobiliser and key chip problem.
Read guide →Lower Ball Joint: Symptoms and Play Check
The lower ball joint carries the weight of your car and wears out fast on our roads. Dull thud over potholes, 12 and 6 play, torn boot. Here's how to catch it in time.
Read guide →Stuck Brake Caliper and How to Spot the Problem Early
Car pulling to one side, one wheel hotter than the rest, and a burning smell? A stuck caliper is often to blame. Here are the symptoms, causes, and how to prevent it.
Read guide →Electric Power Steering (EPS) Failure Symptoms and Heavy Steering
Steering wheel warning light on the dash, wheel suddenly heavy or working intermittently. We explain how EPS works, the most common causes and whether you can keep driving.
Read guide →Oil pressure light (oil can) on the dash, what to do and how to identify the cause
Red oil can lit up on your dash? How to tell a faulty oil pressure sensor from genuinely low pressure, and when driving on will destroy the engine.
Read guide →Electronic Parking Brake (EPB), failure symptoms and pad replacement
EPB parking brake will not release, the warning light is on, or you cannot replace the rear pads without diagnostics. Here is how the system works and what to do.
Read guide →TPMS tire pressure sensor, warning light and what to do after a tire change
TPMS light comes on after a tire change or winter weather. What direct and indirect sensors are, how long the battery lasts and whether you can keep driving.
Read guide →How to spot worn drum brakes on the rear wheels
Rear drum brakes wear slower than the front ones, but you should not ignore them. Symptoms from shoes, the cylinder and the handbrake.
Read guide →How to jump start a car with a dead battery using cables
Correct order for connecting jumper cables, where to attach ground, what NOT to do, and what to watch out for with modern cars and AGM batteries.
Read guide →Hydraulic power steering pump: failures, fluid and replacement
Power steering pump whining, heavy steering or a fluid leak. We explain the failure symptoms, which fluid to use (CHF 11S, Dexron) and when the pump really needs replacing.
Read guide →Engine burning oil between services, what is normal and what signals a fault
How much oil an engine may use per 1000 km, when topping up is enough, and when blue smoke, valve seals, the PCV valve or the turbo mean a trip to the workshop.
Read guide →How engine compression is measured and what the values mean
How an engine compression test is performed, normal values for petrol and diesel engines, what causes compression loss and when an engine needs a rebuild.
Read guide →ABS warning light and wheel sensor failure, causes, checks and whether you can keep driving
ABS light on? A faulty wheel speed sensor is the most common cause. How the fault is diagnosed, what it means for braking and whether you can keep driving.
Read guide →Water Pump How to Spot a Failure and When to Replace It
Coolant leaks, bearing noise and a jumping temperature gauge point to a failing water pump. How to react before the engine overheats and when to replace it.
Read guide →Coolant temperature sensor and symptoms of failure
Car hard to start when warm, higher fuel consumption, fan running non-stop or check engine light on? Often the culprit is a cheap coolant temperature sensor.
Read guide →Brake fluid and when to change it because of moisture in the system
Brake fluid absorbs moisture and loses its boiling point over time. Replacement interval, DOT3 vs DOT4 vs DOT5.1 differences, and how the condition is tested.
Read guide →Battery drains while the car sits - how to find a parasitic draw
New battery but the car won't start after sitting? How to measure parasitic draw with a multimeter, what readings are normal, and what usually drains power.
Read guide →Crankshaft and Camshaft Sensor Failure Symptoms on Your Engine
Crankshaft (CKP) and camshaft (CMP) sensor failure: random stalling, no-start until cool and a check engine light. How these sensors work and when to replace.
Read guide →How to spot worn tie rods and tie rod ends on the front suspension
Knocking over bumps, loose steering and uneven tyre wear are signs of worn tie rods and tie rod ends. How to check them yourself and when replacement is due.
Read guide →Radiator Fan Not Working or Always Running, Causes and Checks
Car overheats in city traffic but the radiator fan stays silent, or it keeps spinning after you shut the engine off? Symptoms, causes, and how to check it.
Read guide →CV joint: clicking when turning and a torn boot
Car clicks when you turn into a corner? Most often it's the CV joint or a torn boot on the driveshaft. How to spot it and what delaying costs you.
Read guide →Cold engine ticking - what it means and when it's dangerous
Cold engine ticking usually comes from hydraulic valve lifters and the oil. When it goes away on its own, and when it's a sign you need a workshop.
Read guide →Engine and gearbox mounts: failure symptoms drivers confuse with other faults
Idle vibration, a thud when shifting into gear, a jolt under throttle. How to spot a failed engine or gearbox mount and why the wrong part often gets replaced.
Read guide →Smells in your car, what burning, coolant and fuel in the cabin mean
Noticed a strange smell in your car? Here's what burning, coolant, fuel and oil smells mean, when to stop immediately and what to check.
Read guide →PCV valve (crankcase breather): failure symptoms, testing and replacement
A bad PCV valve causes crankcase pressure, oil leaks, blue smoke and rough idle. How to spot the problem, check the breather and know when to replace it.
Read guide →Blown head gasket - symptoms you must not ignore
How to spot a blown head gasket: white smoke, foam in the oil, coolant loss, overheating. What to do and when you absolutely must stop driving.
Read guide →Shock Absorbers - Wear Symptoms, Bounce Test and When to Replace Them
How to spot worn shock absorbers, how to do a bounce test in your driveway, and after how many kilometres they realistically need replacing on our roads.
Read guide →Automatic transmission (DSG, automatic, CVT): when to service the fluid
Used cars with automatic transmissions arrive in BiH without service history. When to change the fluid in DSG, classic automatic, and CVT - and why it matters.
Read guide →Tyres: pressure, maintenance and signs it's time for replacement
Wrong tyre pressure raises fuel consumption and reduces safety. Learn how to check pressure, spot wear, and keep your tyres in good shape for years.
Read guide →Throttle Body: Symptoms of Fouling and When Cleaning Is Enough
A dirty throttle body causes rough idle, hesitation and higher fuel consumption. How to tell if cleaning will fix it or if the throttle body needs replacement.
Read guide →Alternator and starter: failure symptoms drivers confuse with the battery
Car won't start or dies while driving? Before buying a new battery, learn how to tell alternator and starter faults apart.
Read guide →Oil leak under the car, how to locate the source and how urgent it is
Surprised by a stain under your car? Learn how to identify the fluid and how serious the situation is before you head to the workshop.
Read guide →Radiator, Thermostat, and Engine Temperature - When You Must Stop Immediately
Temperature gauge climbing? We explain the cooling system, warning symptoms, and exactly what to do when your engine starts overheating.
Read guide →Car air conditioning: service, refrigerant top-up, and common pre-summer faults
A/C not cooling like it used to? We explain how car AC works, the warning signs, and what a proper AC service actually includes.
Read guide →Brakes: symptoms of worn pads and rotors you shouldn't ignore
Squealing brakes, vibrating steering wheel or sinking pedal? Here is how to read the signs and decide when driving has become unsafe.
Read guide →Gearbox and Clutch: Failure Symptoms You Should Not Ignore
How to recognise a failing clutch, manual or automatic gearbox. Symptoms, risks, and when to book a workshop visit in Banja Luka.
Read guide →Squeaks when turning the steering wheel - causes in steering, suspension, and hydraulics
Steering squeaks when turning? Suspension joints, power steering fluid, CV joints and spring mounts are the usual causes. When it is harmless vs when to act.
Read guide →Spark Plugs: Symptoms of Wear, Replacement Intervals, and How to Choose
Rough idle, higher fuel use, or hard starts? Spark plugs are often the quiet culprit. Here is how to spot wear, when to replace, and which ones to buy.
Read guide →Steering wheel vibrations when braking or on the highway, causes and what they mean
Steering wheel shakes when braking or above 80 km/h? We explain when it's balancing, when it's a warped rotor, and when it's something more serious.
Read guide →Got a problem
with your vehicle?
For an inspection, service or to discuss your vehicle, call us or send a message. If you're not sure what the fault is, describe the symptoms and vehicle model.
Njegoševa 44
Banja Luka, Republika Srpska
Bosnia and Herzegovina