The car breakdown causes that are reported by car recovery service providers differ every year. Car Breakdown Causes are mostly identical.
The top 15 car breakdown causes are as follows:
- Battery Problem
As batteries get old, they become less efficient. Excessive heat or cold can also weaken batteries. To avoid this problem, you need to check the battery terminals on a regular basis to ensure that they are tight and not rusting. Ensure that the top of the battery is always clean and dry.
Take your car for long drives once in a while to fully charge the battery if you always make short trips. You should also turn off all electrical equipment before starting the engine.
- Tire or Wheel Problem
It is not possible to avoid tire problem caused by debris on the road. To avoid premature wear and blowouts, you need to check tire pressures and the tires’ condition regularly. Ensure that you adjust the tire pressures to the right ‘full-load’ pressures when you’re carrying heavy load. Always keep the jack, lug wrench and the tool for locking wheel bolts in the car.
- Alternator Problem
The alternator charges the battery. Thus, the battery will go dead if the alternator is faulty. Signs that you will notice when the alternator has issues include weak battery and dim headlights when the engine is running, a squealing sound under the hood at a particular RPM, and an unsteady charging warning light.
You need to stop driving when the charging light comes on because this implies that the system is no more charging.
- Starter Motor Problem
There’s not much you can do to prevent a starter motor problem other than ensuring that all nuts and bolts are tight once every year. Signs of a failing starter motor include metallic grinding noises while you’re trying to start the engine and a click sound from the hood with the engine not turning over when the key is turned to the ‘start’ position.
- Distributor Cap or Ignition Rotor Problem
Some signs of distributor cap or ignition rotor problem include misfiring of the engine, difficulty in starting the engine and rough running. Distributor cap problem is not common in 21st century cars. Always ensure that the rotor arm and distributor cap are regularly checked whenever you service your car.
- Wrong Fueling
Running out of gas is not easy to avoid. Misfueling your car is less common but happens once in a while. To avoid this problem, fill your tank with fuel before you embark on any long journey. Don’t wait for the warning light to come on before you fill your tank if you’re in any area that you’re not familiar with.
Also, you should know the type and grade of fuel that your car uses. If you’ve filled your tank with the wrong fuel, roll the car away from the pump and find a mechanic to help you drain the tank.
- Clutch Cable Problem
This problem is found in cars with a manual gearbox. You won’t be able to disengage the clutch if the clutch cable breaks. Always ensure that the clutch cable is regularly checked and lubricated when you’re changing your oil and rotating the tires.
- Spark Plug Problem
This problem is found in older cars or modern cars that have lots of miles on them. Too much fuel and not enough air in the engine can make the plugs to get fuel fouled. Worn engines with lose rings can foul the spark plugs when oil gets to the combustion chamber. This problem can be avoided by fitting new spark plugs at intervals specified by the car manufacturer.
- Ignition Wire or Coil Pack Problem
This problem can be found in both older and modern cars. Older cars have thick wire that transfers high voltage electricity to the spark plugs from the coil. Modern cars have a coil over the spark plug. These can cause problem with heat and age. This problem can also make electricity to leak out.
- Cylinder Head Gasket Problem
A cylinder head gasket that leaks is a big problem and it requires major repair work for it to be fixed. There’s little that can be done to avoid this issue. The best thing you can do is to properly maintain your car’s cooling system. Always check the level of coolant and top up when the need arises. Remove debris and bugs from the front of the radiator. Stop as soon as possible to avoid overheating if the warning light comes on.
- Transmission Problem
Strange sound or erratic performance usually precedes transmission issues. It can lead to a total breakdown if proper maintenance is not done. If your car fails to move, then it’s possible that the transmission has blown. Service the transmission regularly and flush the transmission fluid at the recommended intervals to prevent breakdown
- Brake Problem
Extremely torn brake pads can make it impossible to stop your car and can lead to serious injury and damage. Always check your brake pads, rotors and fluids twice every year. Change the brake fluid every 2 to 3 years or when you have a leak.
- Lost Keys
If you misplace your car key or mistakenly lock it inside your car, you will need to find a way to get back in. It is important to always keep a spare key at home, but this may not be useful if you’re far away from home.
Some keys have microchips that stop a stolen car. This can make it difficult for such keys to be replaced when they are lost. You can get in touch with an authorized dealer or a qualified technician to help when you find yourself in this situation.
- Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) Problem
This component of the exhaust system on diesel engine vehicles helps to trap fine particles of soot and also burns them off into less-dangerous gas. You can avoid diesel particulate filter problem by engaging in a weekly run up the motorway. You will notice a warning light on the dashboard if the DPF becomes overloaded. When the warning light comes on, driving at a particular speed on the highway will clear it.
- Engine Oil Problem
The wrong level of engine oil can cause damage to the engine. Too much of the oil is also risky. To avoid an engine oil problem, you need to use the dipstick to check the engine oil on a regular basis. The level of the oil must be between the two lines.
Let Car Towing Melbourne Help You Avoid a Breakdown
At Car Towing Melbourne, we do all we can to ensure that you don’t experience a breakdown. Our goal is to ensure that you’re safe on the road. Our car recovery services are designed to detect the car breakdown causes and fix it as soon as possible so that you can quickly get back on the road.
Now Car Towing Melbourne is available in Thomastown Victoria 3074, Australia.
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