GarageGuideFree · No sign-up · Plain English
Know what's wrong with your car before you buy parts.
Tell GarageGuide what your car is doing. It asks one simple question at a time, like a friend standing beside you under the hood, until you know the cause and the fix.
Made by a father and son in Arlington, Texas · Free, no sign-up · Checks official NHTSA recall data for your car
Built for beginners. Optimized for driveway wrenching. · Read the FAQ
Here's what you get
A real example of how it works.
“My car clicks but won't start.”
GarageGuide asks: Do the dashboard lights come on? → Yes, but they dim when I turn the key.
Then: Is there white or green crust on the battery terminals? → Yes.
Likely cause: Corroded battery terminals.
Difficulty: Easy · about 15 minutes
What you need: A terminal brush and cleaner, about $5–10
See a mechanic if: it still clicks after cleaning and the battery tests good.
Common car problems
See allCheck Engine Light Is On
A check engine light can signal something minor or serious.
Car Won’t Start
Engine won’t crank or starts then dies?
Squeaking, Squealing or Screeching Brakes
Brakes squeaking or screeching?
Engine Overheating
Temperature gauge climbing or steam from under the hood?
Car Battery Keeps Dying (Even a New One)
Car or truck battery going dead overnight, even a new one?
Transmission Slipping
Engine revs but the car does not move like it should?
Car Shaking or Vibrating
Steering wheel or car shaking?
Car AC Not Blowing Cold Air
Car AC blowing warm?
Exhaust Smoke
Smoke from the exhaust?
Rough Idle
Engine shaking or stumbling at idle?
Battery Light On While Driving
A battery light on the dash usually means the charging system has stopped charging, not that the battery is bad.
Car Pulls to One Side
If your car drifts left or right on a straight road, the cause is often tire pressure, alignment, or a sticking brake.
Tire Pressure Light On
The tire pressure light means one or more tires is low, or the sensor system has a problem.
Steering Wheel Shakes When Braking
A shaking steering wheel or pulsing brake pedal when you stop usually means uneven brake rotors.
Car Leaking Fluid
A puddle under your car can be harmless water or a serious brake fluid leak.
Burning Smell From Your Car
Burning oil, rubber, plastic, sweet syrup or hot brakes: each burning smell from a car points to a different problem.
Car Dies While Driving or at Stops
If your car shuts off while driving or stalls at stop lights, the cause is often the alternator, fuel delivery or a sensor.
Clicking Noise When Turning
A clicking or popping sound when you make sharp turns is usually a worn CV joint.
Check Engine, Oil and Battery Light All On at Once
When the check engine, oil and battery lights come on together, it's usually one problem: the car has stopped charging.
Got a warning code?
If a code reader gave you a code like P0420, look it up for a plain-English explanation.
How it works
Three steps from "something's wrong" to "fixed it."
Tell us what's happening
Noises, smells, lights on the dashboard. Say it however you'd say it to a friend.
Answer simple questions
One easy question or check at a time, with tap-to-answer choices. We tell you exactly where to look.
Get a clear answer
The likely cause, how hard the fix is, the parts you need, and when it's time for a mechanic.
Safety first
If your brakes feel wrong, you smell fuel, there's smoke, or the temperature gauge is in the red, pull over somewhere safe and stop driving. GarageGuide can help you understand the problem, but it can't see your car.