Tips for Preventing Breakdowns
22/04/2024
Here, we'll provide insights into the primary causes of breakdowns and offer strategies to avoid them.
1. Flat or Faulty Battery
Battery issues rank as the leading cause of breakdowns, particularly during winter.
A faulty battery can prevent your car from starting, as it powers the starter motor and facilitates alternator operation for battery recharging.
Common causes of flat batteries include leaving lights on when the engine is off, frequent short journeys, or poor electrical connections.
To Prevent a Flat Battery:
- Ensure all vehicle systems are switched off upon exiting. While removing the ignition key may not deactivate lights, modern cars typically emit a warning sound for lights left on.
- If you seldom embark on long journeys, consider charging the battery overnight every two weeks to maintain optimal charge levels.
- During servicing, ensure the garage verifies secure connections and cleans battery terminals to prevent corrosion.
- Most car batteries come with a 3 to 5-year warranty. Replace them before expiration to avoid unexpected failures.
2. Misplaced Keys
In the event of losing your car key or accidentally locking it inside the vehicle, you'll require assistance to regain access. While having a spare key at home is beneficial, it's of limited use when you're distant from your residence.
Most car keys are equipped with a microchip, intended to deter theft, which can complicate replacement procedures if lost. Consequently, misplaced or trapped keys often contribute to breakdowns.
To resolve the situation, you'll either need to contact an authorized dealer or summon a qualified professional to assist you at your vehicle.
3. Tire and Wheel Damage
Encountering a punctured tire often elicits a sigh of frustration, akin to dealing with a flat battery. Such incidents typically stem from encountering a sharp object, although there are other potential causes, including:
- Failure or damage to the tire's valve, affecting air pressure regulation.
- Impact from striking a curb or navigating a deep pothole.
- Separation of the tire and rim following a collision.
- Wear and tear due to the aging process, despite the tire tread remaining legally acceptable.
In the event of encountering a curb or pothole, it's advisable to inspect your wheels and rims promptly. If any damage is detected, seek immediate assistance from a specialized tire dealer.
Replacing a Flat Tire
Swapping a flat tire with a spare is typically a straightforward process. Ensure your jack and other wheel removal tools are in good condition and easily accessible.
If your vehicle is equipped with a spare tire, it's usually stored in the car's trunk (ensure it's properly inflated).
Some vehicles come with a post-puncture sealant instead of a spare tire. This sealant is injected through the valve but is intended as a temporary fix.
Tips to Avoid Punctures
Taking a few simple precautions can help prevent breakdowns:
- Regularly check your tire tread depth and pressure, including the spare wheel.
- If you notice uneven tire wear, your wheels may be misaligned. Have them checked by a tire center or garage.
- Adjust your tire pressure to accommodate heavy loads (consult your handbook for information).
- Avoid driving over potholes or through puddles that could conceal a pothole or damaged road surface.
4. AdBlue
Many modern diesel vehicles utilize Selective Catalyst Reduction (SCR) to reduce harmful nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from the exhaust. AdBlue, also known as urea or Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF), is an additive that facilitates this process. It's crucial to keep AdBlue topped up for it to function effectively.
Your vehicle handbook will provide information on where to find the AdBlue filler and how much to use. Additionally, a mileage countdown display on the dashboard will indicate how far you can drive before needing a refill. Running out of AdBlue can prevent your engine from starting, emphasizing the importance of regular top-ups.
Tips to Avoid AdBlue Problems:
- Regularly top up AdBlue levels.
- Monitor the mileage countdown to prevent running out.
- Be cautious not to confuse the AdBlue tank with the fuel tank during refills.
5. Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF)
The Diesel Particulate Filter is a component of the exhaust system in diesel vehicles. It captures fine particles of soot and converts them into less harmful gas through a process called regeneration.
While the Diesel Particulate Filter typically maintains itself, it may become blocked if you frequently undertake short journeys.
Preventing a Clogged DPF:
- Take a weekly drive on the motorway to prevent blockages.
- If the DPF becomes overloaded, a warning light will illuminate on the dashboard.
- If the warning light appears, drive at motorway speeds for an extended period to clear the filter.
- Refer to the vehicle handbook for detailed instructions.
6. Engine Oil
Maintaining the correct level of engine oil is crucial to prevent damage to your engine. Having either too much or too little oil can pose risks.
If you drive a diesel vehicle with a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), failure to undergo DPF regeneration can lead to oil dilution, potentially causing severe engine damage and necessitating an oil change at your garage.
To Avoid Engine Oil Problems:
- Regularly inspect your engine oil level using the dipstick.
- Ensure the oil level falls between the two lines on the dipstick.
- Typically, the difference between the bottom and top lines on the dipstick represents around 1 liter of oil.
- Refer to your vehicle handbook for the correct oil specification.
7. Alternator Issues
Persistent battery issues and dimming headlights while idling could indicate a fault with your alternator.
If your ignition warning light illuminates and the engine temperature rapidly rises, it may signify a broken belt that drives both the alternator and water pump. This is a critical issue.
Immediate Action Required:
- Stop your vehicle immediately.
- Do not attempt to restart your engine.
8. Starter Motor Concerns
While starter motors are typically durable, they may eventually fail.
Regular vehicle servicing can help identify potential issues before they escalate into problems.
9. Fuel Issues
Misfuelling
Putting the wrong fuel in your vehicle, is a common occurrence, affecting around 133,000 drivers annually.
If you've mistakenly filled your diesel car with petrol or vice versa, refrain from starting the engine. Instead, move your vehicle to a safe location off the forecourt and contact your insurer for assistance.
How to Prevent Misfuelling
To avoid this error, double-check the pump nozzle before refuelling:
- Green indicates petrol
- Black indicates diesel
Additionally, diesel nozzles are typically larger, making it more challenging to misfill a petrol vehicle.
Running Out Of Fuel
Running out of fuel is a common issue that drivers often find embarrassing. When the fuel gauge hits the red zone or starts beeping, it's tempting to underestimate how much fuel remains in the tank.
To avoid running out of fuel: Don't solely rely on your car's display indicating the miles left until empty, as it may not always be accurate.
When Your Tank Is Low:
- Refill it sooner rather than later.
- Top it up the day before a long journey.
- Our breakdown mechanics are available to provide a top-up if you need a few liters to resume your journey.
Engine Flooded with Fuel
In cold weather, if you stop your car abruptly after starting it, the engine might become flooded with petrol. Fortunately, fixing a flooded petrol engine is usually straightforward.
To Prevent Engine Flooding:
- Allow the engine to warm up gradually after starting it in cold conditions. This only takes a few minutes. Once the engine is warm enough, you'll notice a change in the engine note, and the idle speed will drop slightly.
10. Overheating
- Overheating is a common cause of breakdowns. If your temperature warning light illuminates, there may be an issue with the engine or the cooling system.
If you observe steam emanating from the engine or the temperature warning light activates, pull over at the nearest safe location and contact your insurer for assistance.
To Prevent Overheating:
- Regularly check and replenish your coolant.
- Inspect your car's cooling fan simultaneously.
- If you notice a drop in the coolant level, check for leaks. Modern cooling systems typically do not require topping up between services, so it's advisable to have a garage inspect it.
This article is designed to offer general advice and may not apply to every insurance, broker, insurer, cover or policy. You would need to check the individual policy benefits of each cover with your insurer or broker.
