In today's hectic world, your used car is one of the most critical assets you may own. You also know that repairs may be expensive, so sometimes you ignore the obvious until you finally realize something's wrong with your car. You know it. It just doesn't "feel" right. That may sound lame when you're talking to your trusted local mechanic, but believe me, it's not something you want to ignore. You may feel like the car is challenging to handle. The ride may seem less smooth and stable. There may be a shake that wasn't there before.

These symptoms usually indicate a problem with your car.

Is it harder to steer your vehicle? Do you have difficulty driving in a straight line? This might mean your front wheels are out of alignment or you have worn-out steering parts. Your car may feel like it wants to steer or pull to the right or left. You'll need to get this checked out as soon as possible. It may only be that your tires need to be correctly inflated. But it could also mean that your front end is misaligned or damaged. That's nothing to play around with! The Montana roads are already difficult to navigate due to our extreme weather conditions, so you want to ensure you and your family stays safe year-round.

Your tires may need balancing in this case. It's also good to check your shock absorbers and struts. You might need replacements  if the car rides "differently." And poorly functioning shocks and struts may be dangerous.

If you apply your brakes and your vehicle pulls to one side, you need to take it for repair. If the brake pedal is soft or sinks to the floor when pressure is applied – the same thing happens. Please take it in immediately. If you hear or feel grinding when you use the brake, this indicates a problem that needs to be checked out. And your brakes may need to be replaced, and the longer you wait, the more expensive it may get.

And, of course, the no-brainer – You must get your car to a repair shop if the "brake" light on the instrument panel is lit. 

Engine trouble is on the menu if you find that your car is hard to start. Other indicators include the check engine light coming on, your car using more than one quart of oil between changes, the car engine running after you remove the key if the car stalls or idles roughly, and if there's poor acceleration. Also, getting fewer miles to the gallon is nothing to pooh-pooh. That could mean an engine problem, too.

Say the word "transmission problems," and your wallet being drained of everything in it comes to mind. You might have a problem of this nature if there's a delayed response when shifting from neutral to drive or reverse, if your car doesn't shift during regular acceleration, or if the engine speeds up but the car doesn't respond. If shifting is hard – there could be a problem with the transmission, too. Just for your peace of mind, make sure the mechanic checks to see if it's just a disconnected hose problem or if the filter is plugged. These repairs are much simpler and cheaper than having your transmission replaced.

One thing is for sure, you know your used car and how it's supposed to feel when all is well. If something feels wrong, get it checked out. You may end up saving money and someone's life!