What's that rattling noise? TÜV SÜD gives five tips on how to identify the problem if your car breaks down

Munich (Pressweb) - Extreme heat, high weight, lax preparations – on holiday trips the threat of a car breaking down is particularly high. However, many problems announce themselves in advance. Below, TÜV SÜD's experts have summarized the most frequent problems and how to react correctly.

Regular servicing and thorough preparations are the key for arriving safely at your holiday destination. Eberhard Lang, car expert at TÜV SÜD, advises, "Motorists who have their vehicles inspected at a garage at regular intervals not only arrive safely at their holiday destinations: they also proactively contribute to maintaining the value of their cars." Given this, check fluid levels, tyres, inflation pressure and lights before heading off.

1. Under control: A red control lamp in the cockpit is a signal to stop the car immediately! As long as the control lamp is yellow, you can generally continue driving unless the fault concerns a safety-related component. The exact meaning of the dashboard lamps is provided in your car's instruction manual.

2. Something's wrong: Vibrations in the steering wheel or general vibrations are an indication of tyre or suspension problems. In this case, avoid sudden braking or steering movements! Stop the car, turn on your hazard lights, put a warning triangle out and change the damaged wheel or patch it up by applying special tyre sealant – if necessary go to a garage.

3. What's that rattling noise? If a support bracket, mounting or clamp of the exhaust pipe is loose you'll hear the characteristic rattling either immediately or after some time. If the situation on the road allows, stop and look under the car. But be careful, pipes and mufflers are hot! Lang advises, "If the exhaust pipe hangs down and already touches the road surface, call the breakdown service. If there is only a hole in the muffler you can drive the car to the next garage."

4. Smoke coming out of your car? In the majority of cases, any steam from the engine compartment comes from the radiator. Unless a red control lamp is showing on the dashboard, drive to the nearest parking area. Turn off the engine and check the coolant levels. Beware of hot steam and pressure!
Also, the radiator fan may start automatically. Blue or black smoke coming out of the exhaust announces a defect in the oil circulation. Accompanied by a lit red control lamp, this is a sign that you should stop the car immediately and call the breakdown service!

5. A funny smell: In most cases, the unpleasant smell of burnt rubber comes from other cars or the side of the roads. Nevertheless, should the smell persist, it's better to check.

Well serviced: The luggage is rattling around, the engine is noisier than normal, the roof rack whistles – on holiday trips, everything is slightly different. However, motorists that keep an eye on their cars' technical systems and have important repairs carried out immediately are definitely on the safe side when it comes to safety and maintenance of value – also with respect to the next roadworthiness testing and periodic vehicle inspection. Owners of well-serviced cars generally have no reason to be worried.

Under the motto: "Our truck solutions – your drivers of success", TÜV SÜD will showcase its services for the first time at the IAA Commercial Vehicles in Hanover. At stand F 18 in Hall 13, the service provider will offer comprehensive cost-efficiency solutions and innovative strategies for vehicle fleets, commercial vehicles and logistics operations.