A car is composed of hundreds of electrical and mechanical components and it might not be easy to know which part is likely to cause problems. However, before a breakdown occurs, your car’s onboard computer tries as much as possible to communicate any impending problem(s) to you. There are numerous reasons why car breakdowns occur so it would be wise to not depend entirely on assumptions and get the professionals involved. 

Most car owners assume every part functions properly and do not necessarily bother looking at any possible causes of problems. This short article aims to take a look at the top reasons why car breakdown happens. 

Fuelling 

A common cause of car breakdown is linked to running out of fuel, yet this is an issue that can easily be prevented. Most people forget to fuel their cars while others ignore the red fuel sign displayed on a dashboard (which indicates that a car needs to be refuelled) until their car totally runs out of fuel and stops on the way. Another thing associated with fuelling is filling a car with the wrong fuel or bad/bush fuel. Also, putting petrol in a diesel engine is a serious problem that can lead to serious damage.  

The moment you notice your car has been filled with the wrong fuel, do not start the car. Instead, have it towed to a mechanic who will empty and clean the fuel tank properly. But if you’ve already started the engine in the case of filling up a diesel engine with petrol, do not switch it off then add more diesel (depending on the amount of petrol you’ve put in initially), this is so as to reduce lasting damage to the engine because petrol is more combustible than diesel and will instantly increase the friction between the parts of your engine but diesel vehicles can run on up to 75% petrol as long as you do not switch off the engine. 

On the other hand, filling your petrol car with diesel is less dangerous as your engine will only splutter, cough and misfire because diesel is thicker and will clog up the fuel-system and the spark-plugs until the diesel is completely drained out – rarely damaging any major component. 

Flat Battery 

A flat battery is one of the leading causes of car breakdowns. Drivers who use their cars for a short trip are at high risk of experiencing a flat battery. This is because short trips do not give a car battery sufficient time to recharge. If you have to do short trips at all time, ensure that you invest in a smart charger to connect the battery to. Better still, you can idle (warm) the car every once in a while. 

Electrical Issues 

Electrical issues are becoming a common cause of car breakdowns today. This is especially true with the increasing number of complex controls and switches that today’s vehicles have. And as much as it’s difficult to admit, we really do not have enough of the technical know-how to deal with this issues or as the case may be – we like to simply nip-it-in-the-bud by connecting a diagnostic tool then clearing off the errors being displayed, instead of dealing with issue(s) properly (the normal Naija way).

When an electrical issue has been detected by the onboard computer; it is very important to ensure that it is addressed as soon as possible, and more importantly – PROPERLY! 

Overheating 

Overheating is a serious cause of car breakdown and can be caused by a number of reasons. It is very important to check the levels of car coolant to avoid possible overheating especially when you consider the high-level temperature we usually experience in this part of the world. So please, it is strongly suggested that you’re always alert and consistently monitor the gauge whilst driving. 

The coolant used in your car should also have antifreeze abilities for those who reside in parts of the world where winter is experienced to protect it during the season.  

Flat Tyre 

A damaged tyre can easily become flat and become a major inconvenience to you after a breakdown. You need to ensure you do regular tyre checks. The tyre pressure should always be checked and it has to be at recommended levels.  

Even if you don’t use your car frequently, for every use; the car tyres should be visually inspected to ensure they have the right threads, are properly balanced and aligned, as well as having the right pressure.  

Other Causes 

Other causes of car breakdowns could include clutch problems, overheating of the engine, starter motor issues, and distributor cap failure. There are also mechanical issues that can make a car to break down. These may range from broken or worn-out spark plugs to other components being glitchy or defective. As stated previously, always be alert to notice minor changes in the sound and performance of your vehicle. Wishing you a happy driving experience.