No one wants to experience a breakdown—especially breaking down on I-8 in the middle of the desert with no water! Whether you’re taking an extended road trip or just driving across town, you want your car to be as reliable as possible. Fortunately, by understanding the most common causes of breakdowns and understanding how to prevent them, you can lower the odds of experiencing trouble on the road.

The Most Common Reasons for Breakdowns

There are many reasons vehicles break down, but here are some of the most common issues to be aware of:

» Check engine light

The check engine light is an indicator that your car’s computer system has detected a problem with the engine. Even though your vehicle may seem fine, you should have it inspected as soon as possible—especially if the light is blinking. This signals a more serious issue that should be addressed right away to prevent potential engine damage.

» Cooling system issues

When your cooling system isn’t working properly, it can cause your engine to overheat. Not only can this cause an inconvenient breakdown, but it can also lead to expensive engine damage. If your car starts to overheat, here are some steps you can take:

» Turn off the A/C and turn the heat all the way up.

Turning off the A/C will reduce stress on the engine; turning up the heat will help to pull heat away from the engine.

» Find a safe place to pull over

Pull over when you can and shut off the engine. Let it cool for at least 15 minutes and keep an eye on the temperature gauge. It should start to drop once the engine is off. This is a perfect time to call us for a tow (if needed) and/or schedule an appointment.

» Check and add coolant if you have it.

For this step, make sure your engine has had time to cool down before you check the coolant! The coolant could be very hot and pressurized if you check it right away, which can cause serious burns. If your coolant level is low, a quick top-off can help protect your engine and prevent overheating until you can get your vehicle to the shop. Keep in mind, though, that adding coolant won’t do much good if you have a badly leaking coolant hose, broken radiator fan, or a failed water pump.

» Restart the engine

If you’re not having your car towed, you can restart the engine and carefully drive it to our shop. Keep an eye on the temperature gauge as you drive, and make sure to pull over if you see the temperature start to rise above normal levels again.

» Drivability Issues

Drivability issues include problems like misfires, plugged air filters, or the EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) system not working, just to name a few. When you’re experiencing a drivability issue, you make not notice anything specifically wrong—just that your car doesn’t seem to be running right. Breakdowns often occur when drivers put off having drivability issues checked out.

How to Prevent Your Car from Breaking Down

The best (and easiest!) way to prevent a breakdown is to follow your manufacturer’s scheduled maintenance plan. When vehicles are being engineered, all manufacturers determine how long the parts and fluids will last on average. Using historical data on these items, they create a recommended maintenance schedule, which is required to maintain the vehicle’s warranty. It is important to note that it is NOT necessary to have maintenance performed by a dealership to keep your vehicle’s warranty in effect despite anything they may have indicated to the contrary when you purchased your vehicle.

The manufacturer’s maintenance schedule allows our technicians to identify its maintenance needs based on mileage, your driving habits, and other factors. We follow the manufacturer’s checklist on which parts and systems need inspections and servicing, as well as any fluid checks or replacement. Scheduled maintenance ensures each system of your car is inspected, from batteries to brakes.

So, to sum it up, here are some easy steps you can take to prevent breakdowns:

1. Have vehicle inspections performed regularly.  
2. Keep up with your vehicle’s scheduled maintenance.
3. Don’t ignore your vehicle’s warning lights, including the check engine light, maintenance light, ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System), oil pressure light, etc.
4. If you notice any changes in drivability, schedule a diagnostic appointment right away. 

Need Maintenance, an Inspection, Diagnostics, or a Repair?

Visit Accurate Automotive!

Breakdowns are a nuisance, but the good news is that approximately 90% of vehicle issues can be avoided by having our ASE-certified technicians perform regular inspections and maintenance on your car. We’ll keep an eye out for any parts that look worn or ready to fail and replace them proactively.

So, the next time you need maintenance, an inspection, diagnostics, or a repair, visit Accurate Automotive! We have three convenient locations to help you prevent breakdowns and stay on the road reliably. Stop by, give us a call, or request an appointment online!

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