Having your car breakdown is a nightmare and can result in costly repair bills and call out fees. For this reason, it is a good idea always to ensure that your breakdown coverage policy is up to date—the last thing you want is to be stranded by a roadside at 2 am searching for an available emergency repair service. Just why are vehicles likely to break down, though? We have a list of the most common causes for a car breakdown, to help you be fully prepared for anything, anytime.
Flat Battery
A flat battery is one of the most common reasons for your car failing to start. This may be due to the battery having reached the end of its natural life—around ten years—or you may have been unlucky enough to receive a faulty cell.
During a service, make sure that your garage checks your battery thoroughly; connections should be secure, and the terminals should be clean and corrosion free. A quality shop, such as Comfort Auto Repair Portland, will do this without you asking.
It is also a good idea to give your battery regular chances to charge. If you only take short journeys, it will have less of an opportunity to do this, and so it is important to make longer trips occasionally.
Damaged Tires
Damage to tires is also a reason you may suffer a vehicle breakdown. It is important to check and monitor the health of your tires regularly to help prevent this. Tires should be worn evenly. If they are not, your wheels may be misaligned, causing uneven pressure. So,consider using best juke space saver alloy. It is also a good idea to check that they are inflated to the correct pressure, including the spare, and any damage caused by potholes or bumps should also be checked out as soon as possible.
Alternator
Alternators can be responsible for a wide range of problems with your car and are identified by dim headlights and persistent battery issues. In most cases, they will need to be entirely replaced, and it is important that this is carried out at the earliest possible opportunity—leaving it could result in the belt snapping and the water pump malfunctioning, both of which are potentially dangerous errors.
Starter Motor
Starter failure is another common fault and an element of the engine which is one day guaranteed to die no matter how devoted you are to its care. The best way to tackle this is to attend regular services to allow issues to be picked up well in advance to prevent serious faults or dangerous situations.
Clutch Cable
Your clutch is under a lot of pressure every time you drive, and it is essential to be aware of any issues. If there is a problem, you will quickly notice that the is no change to the feel of the clutch when you press the pedal with your foot—this needs to be investigated. Clutch failures can be dangerous, so it is best to prevent them from occurring with regular services.
Fuel Issues
Over 133,000 drivers every year put the wrong fuel in their engine, and this has the potential to be a costly mistake. If this happens to you, the most important thing to remember is not to start the engine; this can cause irreversible damage. Instead, call your breakdown service or garage for advice on your next steps.
