3 Common Reasons Cars Break Down

There’s nothing worse than that sinking feeling you get when your car starts to cough and splutter in the middle of the highway and you have that dreaded breakdown. It always seems to happen at the worst possible times–on the way to a funeral, when you’re late for a job interview–or when you’re off on a road trip around the country! Any mobile mechanic will tell you, however, that there are some reasons for breakdowns that are much more common than others, and while we can’t guarantee that this will stop you from breaking down in the future, knowing some of the more common reasons might just help you avoid them! Here they are, folks, three common reasons why cars break down:

1. Overheating

A faulty cooling system or low fluid levels are usually the reasons your car will overheat–and especially in the hotter months, this is a very common problem for drivers. Tips for prevention include checking your fluid levels regularly, and if you do find yourself in the situation where your bonnet starts to steam, turn on the heaters. While this isn’t always comfortable in the hot Australian summer, it helps divert a lot of heat away from the engine and can cool it down enough for you to carry on to safety.

2. Flat Tyre

Nothing will hold up your trip quicker than a flat tyre or a blowout. If you don’t have a spare or you don’t know how to change tyres it can be a hassle waiting around for someone to help, so it’s always best to not only make sure you have a spare in good condition, but to make sure you’re confident in changing a tyre on your own. Common reasons for flats or blowouts include incorrect tyre pressure, balding or poorly maintained tyres and hazards on the road such as potholes. Make sure that you keep your tyres in check, and make a point of adjusting the pressure when you’re carrying big loads.

3. Battery

Unfortunately, the battery doesn’t often give much warning before it decides to give up the ghost. Flat batteries can occur either as a result of having accidentally left the lights on while the vehicle was off, or through a fault with the alternator, which charges the battery as you drive. There can be some telltale signs that your battery is on the blink…if your car has been taking longer than usual to start it’s a fair bet that it could be on its way out, so test the battery with a cheap and simple battery tester that you can pick up at most auto stores.

A regular car service and proper maintenance is the best way to ensure your car doesn’t break down, but in the even that it does, always remember that your safety comes first and that you need to ensure the car is drivable before embarking on any long trips.