Diagnose Car Problems & Find The Right Fix

[Get quotes](/post-job "Get quotes") # Diagnose Car Problems & Find The Right Fix FixMyCar discusses how to diagnose and fix common car problems. [Book a car repair now](/post-job) Ellie Dyer-Brown --- Wednesday October 25 2023 6 min read iStock.com/skynesher Cars are complicated, expensive machines - bottomless money pits, as people often joke. After you’ve paid for your insurance, road tax, fuel, [MOT](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/mot) and [annual service](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/full-service), the last thing you need is another trip to the garage. Should you turn the music up louder and ignore the problem? It can certainly be tempting. Judging by the fact you’re reading this, you know the head-in-the-sand approach is not a good idea. Instead, it’s best to tackle whatever issue you're facing directly, which is why we’re going to help you identify what’s wrong with your car and find a solution in the easiest, most pain-free way possible. --- ## I’ve noticed an unusual smell in my car Unusual smells can be unpleasant and embarrassing. Most of the time, it’s easy to diagnose the problem by identifying what your car smells like - whether it’s fish, mould, petrol or something else. After that, it’s worth noting where the smell is coming from, as doing so may narrow down the cause. Choose the option below that best describes what you can smell. * [Fish](#why-does-my-car-smell-of-fish) * [Petrol](#why-can-i-smell-petrol-in-my-car) * [Burning rubber](#why-does-my-car-smell-of-burning-rubber) * [Rotten eggs](#why-does-my-car-smell-like-rotten-eggs) ### Why does my car smell of fish? A fishy smell may be caused by mould, leaking antifreeze or a dead animal. There are a few home remedies you can try to eliminate the smell of mould, but if you’ve got an [antifreeze leak](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/car-fluid-leak), your car will need professional attention. [Find out more about the possible causes of a fishy smell and how to fix them in this guide.](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/advice/car-smells-like-fish) ### Why can I smell petrol in my car? The first thing to do when troubleshooting the smell of petrol is to work out whether it’s coming from inside or outside your car. On the inside, it could be caused by loose [spark plugs](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/advice/when-should-spark-plugs-be-replaced); on the outside, it may be caused by a loose petrol cap, [faulty injectors](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/fuel-injector-replacement) or a fuel leak. Either way, you’ll probably have to take a trip to the garage. [This guide covers all the possible causes of a petrol smell in detail, with advice on how to fix them.](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/advice/petrol-smell-in-car) ### Why does my car smell of burning rubber? Often, drivers smell burning rubber when changing gear, which is a sign the [clutch](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/clutch-replacement) is overheating. If you notice the smell while driving, a loose rubber hose could be to blame. [Learn more about the potential causes of a burning rubber smell and how to repair them here.](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/advice/burning-rubber-smell-from-car) ### Why does my car smell like rotten eggs? The most common explanation for a rotten egg smell is a faulty catalytic converter. Other possible causes include a [battery](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/parts/battery) leak, defective fuel pressure sensor, old transmission fluid and a worn-out fuel filter. [Click here to discover why your car smells like rotten eggs and what you can do about it.](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/advice/reasons-for-a-rotten-egg-smell-in-car) --- ## I’ve noticed an unusual noise in my car Most drivers are attuned to the noises their cars make and immediately notice when something is different. As tempting as it can be to ignore the sound by turning up the radio, it’s better to confront the problem sooner rather than later since it could get worse. We have a range of guides to help you [diagnose the cause of unusual noises](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/advice/diagnose-noises-in-the-car) and find a solution. ### Unusual noises Finding the right words to describe the sound you’re hearing can be tricky, but the closer you get, the easier it will be to work out the cause. Below, we’ve compiled a series of guides exploring the most common sounds drivers report. My car is making a… * [Scraping noise](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/advice/car-making-scraping-noise) * [Clunking noise](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/advice/car-making-a-clunking-noise) * [Grinding noise](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/advice/car-making-a-grinding-noise-what-does-this-mean) * [Hissing noise](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/advice/why-is-my-car-making-a-hissing-noise) * [Thumping noise](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/advice/why-is-my-car-making-a-thumping-noise) * [Clicking noise](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/advice/why-is-my-car-making-a-clicking-noise) * [Knocking noise](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/advice/why-is-my-car-knocking) * [Rattling noise](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/advice/my-car-is-rattling) * [Whistling noise](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/advice/why-is-my-car-making-a-whistling-noise) * [Squeaking noise](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/advice/why-is-my-car-squeaking) * [Ticking noise](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/advice/why-is-my-car-making-a-ticking-noise) ### My car sounds louder If your car isn’t making an unusual noise but sounds louder than usual, it’s still worth investigating whether there’s a problem. The first thing to do is determine whether it is more audible at the back or front end. Possible causes include a damaged muffler or [faulty exhaust](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/exhaust-fitting-and-repair). * [Find out](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/advice/my-car-sounds-louder-what-is-wrong) [why cars sometimes sound louder and what you can do about it.](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/advice/my-car-sounds-louder-what-is-wrong) iStock.com/deepblue4you ### My car is misfiring Misfiring is not only unpleasant for you and anybody in the vicinity of your car when it happens, but it could also be a sign of a problem that requires attention from a trained mechanic. [Our guide to engine misfiring covers everything you need to know, including what a misfire is, how it feels and what could be causing it.](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/advice/why-is-my-car-misfiring) ### My car alarm keeps going off When your [car alarm](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/car-alarm-repairs) goes off for no apparent reason, it could indicate various problems, including a low [car battery](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/parts/battery), wiring problems or a faulty door lock sensor. Most of the time, you’ll need to enlist the help of a [car alarm repair specialist](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/car-alarm-repairs). [Read this guide to discover all the things that could make your alarm go off and how to fix them.](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/advice/why-is-my-car-alarm-going-off) --- ## I’ve noticed an unusual feeling in my car From the tremor of the [clutch](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/clutch-replacement) when you haven’t quite found the biting point to the rumble of the [engine](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/parts/car-engine), most of us are well acquainted with the feel of our cars. That’s why, as soon as there’s a small change, we notice. The following guides will help you work out what could be wrong with your car based on the unusual feeling you’re experiencing while driving. * [Why is my car shaking?](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/advice/why-is-my-car-shaking) * [Why does my car feel like it’s vibrating?](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/advice/why-is-my-car-vibrating) * [Why do my brakes feel spongy?](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/advice/why-do-my-brakes-feel-spongy) * [Why is my car pulling to one side?](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/advice/why-is-my-car-pulling-to-one-side) * [Why is my clutch pedal sticking?](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/advice/why-is-my-clutch-pedal-sticking) ### Wrong temperature Problems with your aircon or car blower are less than ideal - especially during the peak summer and winter months when you rely on them to regulate the temperature inside your car. * [Why is my car aircon not cold?](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/advice/why-is-my-car-aircon-not-cold) * [Why is my car heater blowing cold air?](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/advice/why-is-my-car-heater-blowing-cold-air) --- ## Warning lights iStock.com/andriano\_cz The last thing you want to see when you start your car is a bright [engine warning light](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/engine-management-light) glowing on the dashboard or your headlights flickering ominously. We’ve created a series of guides to help you navigate both situations. * [What car warning lights mean](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/advice/car-warning-lights-mean) * [Why are the lights flickering in my car?](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/advice/why-are-lights-flickering-in-my-car) * [Why is my ABS warning light on?](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/advice/why-is-my-abs-light-on) * [Why has my engine management light come on?](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/advice/why-has-my-engine-management-light-come-on) --- ## My car is giving out smoke Seeing unusual smoke from your car can be alarming, but there’s no need to panic. It could be something as simple as low coolant. However, there are several more serious causes, so smoke should never be ignored. * [Why is my engine overheating?](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/advice/why-is-my-car-overheating) * [Black smoke from your exhaust - what it means & how to fix it](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/advice/black-smoke-coming-from-car) * [Blue smoke from your exhaust - what it means & how to fix it](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/advice/blue-smoke-coming-from-my-car) * [White smoke from your exhaust - what it means & how to fix it](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/advice/white-smoke-coming-from-my-car) --- ## There's something wrong with my car's fluids * [Why is my car burning oil?](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/advice/why-is-my-car-burning-oil) * [Why is my car losing antifreeze?](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/advice/why-is-my-car-losing-antifreeze) --- ## There’s something wrong with my tyres Man's hand pointing at car tyre tread. Checking your [tyres](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/tyres) regularly for signs of wear is an essential part of car maintenance that should be taken seriously. Take a look at the guides below for information about diagnosing tyre problems, such as a lack of pressure or low tread. * [Ultimate guide to tyre pressure - what it should be, how to check it & more](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/advice/tyre-pressure-guide) * [Ultimate guide to car tyre tread - how to check it, how long it lasts & more](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/advice/tyre-tread-guide) --- ## Book a repair Once you’ve diagnosed the [cause of your car troubles](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/advice/common-car-problems), FixMyCar is here to help you get them fixed for an affordable price. [Book a repair](https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/post-job "Book a repair") Related topics: : [Diagnostic](/advice/archive/diagnostic) : [Diagnostics](/advice/archive/diagnostics) : [Diagnostic Test](/advice/archive/diagnostic-test) : [Hub](/advice/archive/hub) Get quotes in minutes Save money on your car repair ## Related guides * [### Why Is My Car Making a Thumping Noise? FixMyCar explains why your car might be making a thumping noise and what you can do to fix it. + Diagnostic](/advice/why-is-my-car-making-a-thumping-noise) * [### Why Is My Car Vibrating? FixMyCar explains why your car might be vibrating and what you can do to fix it. + Diagnostic](/advice/why-is-my-car-vibrating) * [### What Is a Car Diagnostic Test & Why Should You Book One? FixMyCar explains what a diagnostic test is and what it can tell you about your car. + Diagnostic + Car ownership](/advice/what-is-a-car-diagnostic-test) ## Stay in the know Get practical car care tips and the latest motoring news delivered to your inbox. Sign up to stay one step ahead on the road.