Mar 28, 2025
A woman looking at her car's engine on the side of the road



You might need a Honda maintenance appointment between regular servicing if things don’t seem quite right. Your local Honda dealership will be able to check your car, identify any potential problems, and complete any maintenance required.

1: Unpleasant Odors

If you notice a sweet, syrupy scent after your engine has been running, your coolant fluid could be leaking. In contrast, a rotten egg smell could suggest a fault with the catalytic converter or problems in the engine. Meanwhile, a musty smell could mean mold is growing inside your moist air conditioning system.

2: Sizzling Engine Noises

If you think you can hear sausages sizzling in the pan when you’re driving your Honda, it’s time to get your car checked out. When you have a fluid leak, it can drip onto a hot engine, creating a telltale sizzling sound. This may be more apparent as you bring your car to a halt and switch the engine off. Other signs may include a puddle under your car or fluid levels that continuously drop.

3: Hard Brake Pedal

Brakes use a pressurized system, so it’s normal to feel some resistance. Spongy brakes are never a good sign, but your brake pedal shouldn’t feel too hard either. If it becomes difficult to press the brake, you may have an issue with a component within the system. This could be a faulty brake booster, a vacuum leak, air in the brake lines, low brake fluid, or failure of the master cylinder. The only way to be certain is to get your car checked at your dealership.

4: Decreased Fuel Efficiency

If your car seems to be using more gas than usual, it could point to a problem. It could be as simple as underinflated tires, or it could be a more significant issue, such as dirty spark plugs or a failing oxygen sensor. If your tires are inflated correctly or the problem persists, take your car to be checked out.

Visit Your Honda Dealership

Getting problems fixed quickly is essential as it prevents further damage and costly repairs. As experts in Honda, your local dealership will be able to get you back on the road quickly.

With a state-of-the-art service center and highly skilled technicians, we’re always happy to help. Visit us at Bristol Honda in Bristol, TN to give your car the TLC it deserves.