The most common reasons cars break down
One of the most aggravating issues for all drivers is a car breakdown. You never know when your vehicle will break down. They are most common during the chilly winter months, but they can happen at any time of year for a variety of reasons.
The following are the most prevalent reasons for car breakdowns:
- A faulty or flat battery
Here are some symptoms that your battery is flat or worn out:
- Struggles to start
- Takes longer than usual to start
- Doesn’t start when you turn the key
- While driving, the red battery warning light illuminates.
Don’t forget to turn everything off when you get out of the car to avoid bad batteries. Regular driving will keep your battery charged. Short excursions, on the other hand, will not offer adequate electricity. Using a trickle charger, charge the battery frequently.
- Alternator Issues
Because the alternator helps create electricity for your car’s electrics, if it stops working, your battery will eventually die. If you discover your car’s power isn’t what it should be, dimmed headlights, slow wipers, flickering dashboard lights, or your ignition learning light turns on, seek help right away.
- Damages tires
Punctured tires are a typical cause of vehicle breakdown. Always inspect your tires for damage. Check them on a regular basis to ensure they have a tread depth of at least 1.6mm and are properly inflated. Look for signs of wear as well. If they’re wearing unevenly, it’s because they’re not aligned properly.
- An electrical issue
Burnt-out lights, bad wiring, blown fuses, and wear and tear can all cause issues with your car’s electrical system. Even if you can spot the problems with a multimeter, you should get professional aid for this situation. Trained mechanics will provide you with sound advice on what you should do.
- Alarms and keys
Many people have to call for help when they can’t get into their car since alarms and immobilizers are becoming more sophisticated than before. Car keys nowadays sometimes have a microchip that prevents your vehicle from being stolen – another good reason to keep a spare somewhere safe in case you lose it.
- Misfuelling
You can get the fuel pumped out and replenished if you accidentally put the wrong fuel in your automobile and haven’t started the engine yet. However, if you’ve already started the engine and traveled a short distance, you risk causing mechanical harm to nearby vehicles.
- Clutch cables on manual vehicles
Every time you change gear in a manual car, the clutch cable is put under pressure. Don’t disregard any differences in the way the clutch feels under your foot. Take your car to a mechanic and get it inspected. Pull over to a safe location and phone for help if the cable breaks while you’re driving.
- Particulate Filter for Diesel Engines (DPF)
The DPF filter in your diesel automobile can become clogged if you use it for a lot of short trips. Diesel cars require a good run now and again to rejuvenate. A weekly run up the highway for a reasonable amount of time should keep the DPF from clogging.
- Motor Starter
It’s most likely a starter motor problem if your battery is fine but the engine doesn’t turn over when you press the stop/start button. The easiest approach to avoid starter motor difficulties and the need for home start assistance is to have your starter motor serviced and maintained regularly.
- Overheating
To ensure that your coolant system is operating properly, keep an eye on the level of coolant and the fan. You’ve got a problem if the temperature warning light turns on. Modern coolant systems shouldn’t need to fill up between services, so if the level has reduced, there could be a leak that needs to be investigated.
