Your best friend when something's wrong
Something's wrong with your car. Let's figure it out.
Tell Car Dogs what it's doing — shaking, a noise, a light, a no-start. We'll tell you how urgent it is, what it could be, and what to do next.
Safety first. If you smell fuel or burning, see smoke or steam, lose brakes or steering, or the temperature gauge is climbing, stop driving and have it towed. Nothing here is a diagnosis — only a hands-on inspection can confirm what's actually wrong.
Symptom finder
What is your car doing?
Pick what you're noticing. We'll take you to how urgent it is, the common causes, what to check next, and what a fair repair tends to cost.
These guides cover possible causes and what to check next. They are not a diagnosis — only a hands-on inspection can confirm what is actually wrong with your car.
How Car Dogs works a problem
Six questions, answered in order
The same path every time, whether you're reading a guide, using Photo Check, or talking to a real Car Dog.
- 1
Is it safe to drive?
Every symptom guide opens with how urgent it is — pull over now, get it looked at this week, or keep an eye on it.
- 2
What could it be?
Common causes in plain words, plus what it usually is not, so you're not talked into the expensive version by default.
- 3
What should I do right now?
The checks you can safely make yourself before anyone puts it on a lift.
- 4
What should I ask a shop?
The exact questions and the wording that keeps a diagnosis honest and an estimate itemized.
- 5
What might it cost?
Typical repair ranges for the job, so you know whether a quote is fair.
- 6
What's my next step?
One clear recommendation — and a real Car Dog to review it with you if you'd like another set of eyes.
Free tools
Tools for a car that isn't right
Each one does a single job and tells you what it does before you start.
Photo CheckAI
Send a photo of the leak, the warning light, the worn part or the estimate. We'll tell you what it looks like and what to check next.
OpenRepair Cost
Typical price ranges for common repairs so you can tell a fair quote from a padded one.
OpenCheck a shop estimate
Paste or upload what the shop wrote up and we'll walk through what each line actually is.
OpenWhat's next?
- 1Tell Car Dogs what your car is doing
- 2Read how urgent it is and what it could be
- 3Check what the repair should cost
- 4Take our questions with you to the shop
Want a real Car Dog to take a look?
If you'd like another set of eyes, a real Car Dog can review this with you. Free, and an introduction is only ever your choice.
Talk to a Car DogNothing wrong, just keeping up with maintenance and recalls? Own your car is the section for that.