Many things can go wrong with your car or truck, and taking the vehicle for auto repair is sometimes inconvenient. Some things are critical, though, and if the vehicle is not running or working correctly, it can pose a safety risk to drive.

1. Brake Squealing Or Trouble Stopping

If the brakes on your car or truck are acting up, you need to take the vehicle to an auto repair shop and have the brakes checked. Squealing, grinding, or banging noises from under the car when the brakes are applied can indicate a problem with the braking system and should not be ignored.

If the car feels like it is harder to stop than usual, you could be dealing with heavily worn or glazed brake pads or shoes. Once the friction material on the pad gets overheated, the surface gets hard, and the pad may not be able to grip the brake rotor to slow the car down properly.

You may feel this in the brakes, and pressing harder on the brake pedal to slow the car can become necessary. In some cases, the brakes can be affected so severely that not fixing them could result in a collision because you can't stop the car in a safe distance. If you suspect you have a problem with the brake, take the car in for auto repair service.

2. Poor Handling

There are a lot of things that can affect the handling of your car. Worn parts, alignment issues, and tire wear are all common concerns. If you are experiencing handling concerns with your vehicle, take the car into an auto repair shop and have the suspension, steering, and tires checked by a technician. 

If the parts are all in good condition, the car may need to have a front end alignment done to ensure that everything is set correctly. Often rotating the tires, aligning the vehicle, and making a few adjustments can significantly change the way the car drives. Alignment issues are common if the vehicle is driven on bumpy roads or has recently hit a pothole, but the auto repair tech will help you work out the problem.

3. Drivability Issues

Drivability is essentially problems with the engine or transmission on your vehicle. If the engine does not idle properly or stalls when you come to a stoplight or the transmission is not shifting appropriately, the vehicle should be taken to an auto repair shop and checked for issues. 

An engine or transmission that is acting up can suddenly fail or cause poor fuel economy when driving. A diagnostic check is a good way for the auto repair shop to find issues with the system and fix them before you end up on the side of the road needing a tow.

If your car isn't running correctly, stop by an auto service for auto repair.