There have been 20,175 motor vehicle deaths in the United States in the past year. A 0.5% increase from the 20,070 deaths projected.
It’s always a stressful situation when your car is not maintained correctly. You’re putting yourself and your passengers at risk every time you drive.
Every driver should know the most common causes of a vehicle breakdown and how to tell when their car isn’t working correctly. This way, you can fix the problem as quickly as possible.
Keep reading to learn about the common causes of vehicle breakdowns.
Vehicle Breakdown Causes
Commercial vehicle breakdown are quite common for drivers. In order for a driver to understand why a vehicle breaks down, it helps to know the most common causes.
Understanding the most common causes of a vehicle breakdown will help drivers prevent them and keep their vehicles in top shape. Here are 5 of the most common causes of vehicle breakdown.
1. Improper Engine Maintenance
Improper engine maintenance is one of the most common causes of vehicle breakdown. This can include neglecting to change oil and air filters, failing to check the coolant levels, or having the wrong type of oil in the engine.
Neglecting to perform regularly scheduled tune-ups on the vehicle can also lead to breakdowns, as can failing to identify and address issues such as faulty spark plugs, worn belts, and clogged fuel injectors. This can decrease fuel efficiency and lead to bigger problems if not attended to promptly.
Neglecting engine maintenance tasks can also cause even minor problems to balloon into much bigger and more costly issues. To reduce the chances of a breakdown, drivers should ensure that their vehicles are regularly serviced and properly maintained.
If you haven’t properly maintained your vehicle and your car broke down, you can contact your local breakdown recovery to help you move your car.
2. Fuel Delivery Problems
Fuel delivery problems, such as blocked fuel lines, can be one of the most common causes of vehicle breakdowns. Other fuel-related issues may include a faulty fuel pump, absent fuel pressure, or bad wiring around the fuel system and its components.
The fuel pump, in particular, is an integral part of the fuel delivery process. When it fails, the engine can’t receive the fuel it needs to run properly. If wiring or hoses in the fuel system become loose or worn, fuel may not be getting to the engine and can cause a breakdown.
Though these are common causes, a simple check and change of the fuel filter can often solve many problems associated with fuel delivery.
3. Electrical System Malfunction
Most of the electrical system parts are highly reliable. But a malfunction can occur due to wear, improper installation, loss of power, electrical shorts, or component failure. In extreme cases, a vehicle’s electrical system can be damaged by water damage, carbon deposits, or overload.
Some of the most common signs of electrical system issues include flickering dashboard lights, a weak or dead battery, corroded connections, or components that perform inconsistently.
It is important to replace or repair components immediately to avoid the risk of further damage to the car. Neglected electrical issues can lead to larger system failures, decreased vehicle performance, and even damaged wiring and fuses.
4. Troubleshooting Tires and Brakes
Flat tires are caused by various factors, including potholes, debris on the roadway, too much weight inside the car, or low tire pressure. Brake system failure can occur from worn brake pads, air or contaminants in the brake fluid, leaking brake lines, or failure of the brake’s hydraulic components.
Both require regular checks and regular maintenance in order to keep them in good working order and prevent serious problems from occurring. Properly maintained tires and brakes can help avoid costly breakdowns and ensure a safe and reliable ride.
5. Transmission Issues
Transmission problems can usually be identified by a grinding sound that comes from the transmission or a burning odor from the transmission area. Other symptoms associated with transmission issues include trouble shifting between gears and leaking automatic transmission fluid.
If a vehicle experiences any of these symptoms, it is advisable to have it inspected by a qualified mechanic as soon as possible so that you can identify the issue and have it fixed immediately.
Transmission problems can be caused by improper vehicle use, such as a lack of regular maintenance or prolonged idling. It can also be caused by mechanical issues, such as worn belts, faulty sensors, and inadequate levels of transmission fluid.
In some cases, transmission issues may require an entirely new or rebuilt transmission to restore its optimum performance.
Cost of Maintenance
The cost of maintaining a vehicle and preventing it from breaking down can be expensive. Basic car maintenance could cost from $150 to $200 for basic checkups. This doesn’t include changing your vehicle’s oils and fluids. But it is important to understand that it is usually worth the investment.
Regular oil changes and tune-ups are essential for the longevity of a vehicle. Replacing worn-out parts, like brakes or tires, when necessary is important to avoid problems down the road.
Improper maintenance will lead to bigger damages down the road. Both to your car and your pockets. Regular maintenance will not only keep your vehicle running longer, but it will also save more money.
Get New and Reliable Parts
When vehicle parts wear out, it’s important to replace them quickly with new and reliable parts. Regularly replace parts that are the most used, such as your battery, tires, and brake pads. The cost may seem a lot but it is far more beneficial to get better parts that will last longer.
By replacing all of these parts with reliable new parts, you can increase the reliability of your vehicle and reduce potential breakdowns.
Proper Maintenance to Keep Everyone Safe
Vehicles need basic checkups to keep them running properly. It’s important to pay attention to common indicators of a vehicle breakdown, from improper engine maintenance to transmission issues. Taking the time to pay attention to potentially problematic areas can help avoid major issues and keep you on the road.
Make sure you take your vehicle in for regular maintenance and to get new and reliable parts. This is to ensure that repairs don’t become major accidents down the road.
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