Even though we often take them for granted, there's no denying that cars are very complicated pieces of machinery. There are so many systems and bits of equipment under the hood it can boggle the mind of the less mechanically inclined motorist. While the inner workings of your vehicle may stymie and confuse you, the good news is you don't have to be a mechanic to notice when things are going wrong. Your car will talk to you, and if you know what to listen for, some of these common indicators can alert you to potentially more severe maintenance problems.<\/p>\n
Check engine light<\/strong> If you're lucky, the check engine light could just be trying to tell you that your gas cap is loose – if this is the case, fixing it won't cost you more than a few seconds of your time. Of course, as AutoTrader.com noted, it could also represent anything from a problem with a spark plug to a damaged catalytic converter, which can be serious.<\/p>\n
\nThe most notorious auto indicator is also probably one of the most poorly understood. This concerning orange light can be triggered by any number of things, and as a result, many people end up driving around with this light on for months. It can point to a variety of potential issues, and while some of them are fairly simple fixes, they all warrant immediate attention to prevent further complications.<\/p>\n