What Are The Common Breakdown Causes And How To Avoid Them?

By Author: Many Autos
Total Articles: 265
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We've all heard that breaking down on a major motorway is a driver's worst nightmare, especially if it leaves you stranded in the rain (which is highly likely!).
After all, no one wants to be the person stuck on the hard shoulder with their hazards turned on.
As a result, the manufacturer's service schedule suggests scheduling car service in readingat specific intervals or miles driven.
The following are the most common causes of breakdowns, as well as advice on how to avoid them and what to do if you become a victim of one of these problems:
⦁A faulty or dead battery - When you try to start your car with a dead or faulty battery, it will turn over slowly or not at all. Leaving your car's headlights or stereo on can drain the battery, or a battery may become flat due to age and require replacement. Because cold affects battery performance, a faulty battery will frequently fail on the first frosty day of winter.

Here are a few more precautions you can take:

⦁Regularly inspect the battery terminals to ensure they are secure and ...
... free of corrosion.
⦁If you make a lot of short trips, make it a point to take your car on a long trip once in a while. This will aid in the charging of the battery.
⦁Make sure that all of your car's electrical equipment (lights, air conditioning, heated seats) is turned off before you try to start the engine.
⦁At the first sign of trouble, have your battery tested or replaced (difficulty starting your car, dim headlights, warning dashboard lights).
⦁Failure of the starter motor - The starter motor spins your car's engine quickly enough to start it, which can wear out over time, especially if you use your car frequently. The following signs point to a failing starter motor:

⦁Metallic noises can be heard when attempting to start the engine.
⦁When you try to start the engine, it turns more slowly than usual (this could also indicate a problem with the battery in your vehicle).
⦁When you turn the ignition key, you will hear the engine click but it will not turn over (this could also indicate a problem with your car's battery).
⦁The only solution is to replace the starter motor.
⦁Faulty alternator - The alternator's position is to charge your car's battery. If the alternator fails, the battery will fail soon after, and if you're driving, the car may cut out and be difficult to restart. It isn't ideal! Symptoms of an alternator problem include:

⦁When the engine is running, the battery frequently fails and the headlights dim.
⦁Squealing noises from the engine could be caused by a slipping alternator drive belt.
⦁A red charging warning light and/or an illuminated battery warning light on the dashboard.
⦁If the charging warning light comes on, stop as soon as possible.
⦁When warning lights illuminate, you should schedule a vehicle diagnostic to determine the source of your vehicle's problems.
⦁Filling up with the incorrect fuel, or worse, running out of fuel – What NOT to do if you run out of fuel is as follows:

⦁Continue to try to start the engine because you may suck air and possibly dirt from the empty tank into the fuel system, making starting your car even more difficult after you've filled up.
⦁Turn off the engine and, if you have a can of fuel, fill it up. Continue driving and fill the tank at the next gas station if the engine now starts. If the engine still won't start, dirt or air drawn into the fuel system could be the source of the problem, in which case you should have your car inspected by a mechanic.
⦁If you find yourself in the middle of nowhere, don't panic. They can deliver an emergency can of fuel if you have breakdown cover.
⦁If the fuel gauge showed plenty of fuel in the tank but you still ran out, have the gauge checked. You will most likely be able to smell petrol vapour or diesel if there is a fuel leak. Do not drive the car until the problem has been resolved.
What NOT to do if you have filled up your vehicle with the wrong type of fuel is as follows:
⦁If you've put the wrong fuel in your car, don't try to start it. You won't get very far if you do, and you'll have to thoroughly clean all of the fuel system components, which could be expensive! In some engines, using the wrong fuel can cause serious and expensive damage.
⦁The fuel tank must be drained, cleaned, and refilled before you can drive your car.
⦁Misfire issues - When a car misfires, it usually loses power, particularly when driving uphill. You may also have trouble starting the car, especially if the weather is cold or wet. It may judder, shake, or make strange noises as well. The most common causes of misfire problems are as follows:
⦁A faulty spark plug.
⦁The ignition system or fuel system components are not working properly.
⦁The fuel filter is clogged (this is more common in diesel engines), the wrong type of fuel was used, or the car was running low on fuel.
⦁The head gasket has failed.
⦁Because driving a car with a misfire can result in additional damage, it is best to schedule a diagnostic check or service to determine the source of the problem.
⦁Clutch failure - Clutches can fail unexpectedly and suddenly. Your vehicle will have to be recovered and repaired if this happens. In many cases, however, the symptoms appear gradually. To avoid a breakdown, take your vehicle to a mechanic as soon as you notice any of the following symptoms. Typical signs and symptoms include:

⦁When you accelerate, your vehicle appears to'rev,' particularly in higher gears.
⦁When you press the clutch pedal, it feels odd – the pedal may appear higher or lower than usual.
⦁The gears crunch or clunk when changing gears.
⦁The clutch pedal offers no resistance.
⦁Engaging gears is difficult or impossible.
⦁Engine overheating - Overheating is a serious problem that can be caused by a number of factors. However, as long as your vehicle has been properly maintained, you should be fine. When the engine becomes hot, as it will on a hot summer day, the cooling fan should activate to cool it down. The most common causes of overheating are as follows:

⦁The cooling fan has failed.
⦁The coolant level is depleted.
⦁Coolant leakage
⦁Failure of the coolant pump
⦁Thermostat failure.
⦁The head gasket has failed.
Keep an eye on your temperature gauge when stuck in traffic because this is when cars overheat the most. If your engine overheats, perform the following actions:
⦁If your temperature gauge is approaching the red zone, or if a temperature warning light appears on your dashboard, try switching your car's heater to 'hot' and turning it up to full blast. This will aid in the dissipation of some of the heat produced by the engine. Pull over and turn off the engine if it still does not appear to be cooling down.
⦁Stop your engine as soon as you notice steam coming from it. Wait until the steam has stopped before opening the hood.
⦁If there is no steam coming from beneath the hood, open it to let the heat escape. You might have to wait at least 30 minutes for the engine to cool down.
⦁Check the undercarriage of your vehicle for coolant leaks. Typically, coolant is brightly coloured (often green, yellow or pink). Call for help if you suspect a leak. You'll almost certainly need to schedule a coolant flush and replacement for your engine.
⦁After the engine has cooled, check the coolant level to ensure there is no obvious sign of a leak. You can continue driving if the coolant level is normal and there is no leak, but you should have your car checked as soon as possible.
⦁ Leaking cylinder head gasket - A leaking cylinder head gasket can be a major problem that necessitates extensive repair work. Unfortunately, there is little that can be done to prevent this problem from occurring, but engine overheating is a common cause. The most common warning signs of a problem are as follows:

⦁Misfiring is most common when the engine is cold or starting.
⦁There is a deficiency in engine power.
⦁The engine's exterior is leaking fluid.
⦁The oil in the coolant typically appears as frothy 'mayonnaise.'
⦁Oil coolant – usually appears as frothy 'mayonnaise.'
⦁White smoke is emitted by the exhaust.
⦁A sudden drop in coolant level.
⦁A damaged or flat tyre, or even worse, a damaged wheel - A kerb-induced puncture or damage to a wheel or tyre is often unavoidable, but there are some precautions you can take to help prevent or minimise the damage:

⦁Check the pressure and condition of your tyres on a regular basis (don't forget the spare!)
⦁If you kerb a wheel while parking or driving, or if you hit a pothole, inspect the wheel and tyre as soon as possible.
⦁ Consider bringing a can of 'tyre repair' foam. This can be an effective, temporary solution for minor leaks.
⦁If you feel comfortable changing a tyre, make sure you have a jack, a wheel brace, and a removal tool for locking wheel bolts with you. Don't worry if you don't! A breakdown service or a helpful bystander may be able to help.