Plain-English guides to the problems every car owner runs into, written by GetAutoSure — grounded in what the issue actually means, not generic advice.
The 20 most common issues Indian car owners run into, grouped by what’s actually happening under the hood.
Key turns, nothing happens — or it cranks but won't catch.
Check in this order, cheapest first. Dim or no dashboard lights: weak battery. Cranks normally but won't start: fuel or spark. Repeated clicking: starter motor or battery.
Ask the AI Mechanic where to start.
Temperature gauge in the red zone.
Pull over immediately, turn off the engine, let it cool for at least 30 minutes. Never open a hot radiator cap. Milky oil or repeated overheating points to a head gasket — see a specialist right away.
See the coolant system guide in the app.
A metallic "tak-tak" sound, worse under acceleration.
Light knocking can be low-octane fuel or carbon buildup — try better fuel. A deep knock at idle is a bearing-wear warning sign — serious, see a specialist immediately.
Confirm which type with GetAutoSure.
The car lurches or shakes at idle.
A cylinder isn't firing properly — a worn spark plug, faulty coil, or clogged injector. An OBD scan identifies the exact cylinder (e.g. P0301). Blinking check-engine light: stop driving, it can damage the catalytic converter.
Run a free scan to find the exact cylinder.
Visible smoke from the tailpipe — the colour matters.
White smoke with a sweet smell: coolant leak or head gasket. Blue smoke: burning oil. Black smoke: rich fuel mixture or a dirty filter/injector. White and blue both need a professional diagnosis before anything gets replaced.
Tell the AI Mechanic the colour for guidance.
An oil stain where you park.
Check the oil filter and drain plug first — a loose one is the most common cause, a simple tighten fixes it. Persisting: valve cover or oil pan gasket. Fast dripping or rapidly dropping oil level needs a mechanic right away.
Track oil level in the app.
Overtaking feels sluggish.
A dirty air filter is the most common, simplest cause — check it, replace if needed. If that's not it, run an OBD scan — if the car triggered "limp mode," the scan shows the exact sensor fault.
Scan to confirm if it's limp mode.
The car suddenly dies, often at a stop.
Note the pattern — AC on? While turning? Cold start? That helps diagnose it. Common causes: carbon in the idle air control valve, or an intermittent fuel pump. Stalling at highway speed is more serious — see a specialist immediately.
Tell the AI Mechanic the pattern.
A new ticking or rattling noise from the engine.
The timing belt/chain keeps the crankshaft and camshaft in sync. If it fails, many engines suffer piston-valve collision — catastrophic, rebuild-level damage. Stick to the replacement interval (usually 60,000-100,000 km) even with no noise yet. Proactive: ₹6-18k. Failure: ₹30k-1L+.
Track your service interval in the app.
Won't start after sitting for a day or two.
Check in order: a parasitic draw (something left on), alternator output (13.5-14.5V normal), battery age (suspect past 3 years), then terminal connections — clean and tight.
Run a full electrical scan.
A squeal or grinding sound when braking.
Squealing is usually the pad-wear indicator doing its job — inspect/replace soon. Metal-to-metal grinding means the pads are fully worn and the disc is being damaged too. Safety-critical — don't delay.
Find a nearby brake specialist.
The pedal sinks further than it should.
Usually air in the brake fluid, a leak, or a master cylinder fault. Check fluid level first. Bleeding the system and finding the leak isn't a DIY job — see a specialist immediately.
Ask the AI Mechanic how urgent this is.
The car drifts to one side even on a straight road.
Start by equalizing all tyre pressures — the most common, free fix. Still pulling? Get a wheel alignment — quick and affordable. Still an issue? Check for a stuck brake caliper or a suspension component.
This is also covered in the Pre-Purchase Check.
The wheel vibrates, usually above 70-80 km/h.
High-speed-only vibration is usually wheel balancing — quick, affordable. Vibration at low speed too points to alignment or tyre damage. Worse under braking suggests a warped brake disc.
Note the pattern in the app.
AC is on but the cabin isn't getting cold.
Most cases are a refrigerant leak — but refrigerant handling is specialized, regulated work, not DIY. You can check yourself whether the compressor clutch is engaging — a quick visual check.
Find an AC specialist.
A musty smell when the AC turns on.
Usually fungus on the evaporator, especially in humid weather. Replace the cabin air filter first — the simplest fix. Still smells? Get the evaporator cleaned.
See more AC maintenance tips in the app.
Water on the floor when the AC is running.
A blocked evaporator drain pipe sends water inside instead of outside. Gently blow compressed air through the drain pipe (near the firewall) to clear it — a 5-minute fix.
See more quick fixes like this in the app.
Resistance when changing gears.
Check clutch fluid level or cable tension first. Low or dirty transmission fluid can also cause resistance. Only one specific gear affected: that's synchro wear — needs a gearbox specialist.
Ask the AI Mechanic based on your pattern.
Stuck in one gear, noticeably less power.
Limp mode is a safety feature — the transmission control module detected a fault. Check ATF level and colour first (a burnt smell is a bad sign). Run an OBD scan right away — often a simple sensor fix restores full power.
Scan now with GetAutoSure.
A "thak-thak" sound over bumps.
Start with the shocks — push down on the car and let go; excessive bounce means weak shocks. Then check bushings and ball joints for play. Always replace shocks in pairs, never just one side.
See the suspension inspection guide.
Maintenance schedules by km interval, a how-to on reading your own OBD scan, and a mechanic’s-eye diagnostic series are scripted and coming soon — not live yet.
Scan your car with GetAutoSure for the actual fault code, or talk to a real mechanic on WhatsApp.
Ask a real expert →