It’s that time of the year again, the clocks have gone forward, lighter nights are here and we’re all looking forward to getting out on the open road and enjoying what spring has to offer.
At Cavendish Motor Company we’re keen to keep you on the road and free from motoring hassle, which is why we thought it’d be a good idea to let you know the common breakdowns we see, and what you can do to avoid them.
Unfortunately, breakdowns happen with your car no matter what age they are. But the good news is that often breakdowns can be avoided. How? By properly maintaining your vehicle and arranging regular services at your local garage. There are often signs that there are problems with your car before you break down.
Let’s have a look at the top causes of breakdowns and how Cavendish Motors can help.
The Starter Motor
If you’re experiencing problems starting your engine, this could be down to your starter motor. Just as you would expect, this is the part of your vehicle that is responsible for turning the engine over to get it started. In this situation it would be advisable to make an appointment for a diagnostic evaluation to ensure the root cause of the fault is identified. This can be completed by your local garage, and often regular services will pick up on problems like this before they become serious.
A Dead Battery
Are you having trouble starting your car? A dead battery may be the cause of the engine failing to start. This can happen for a number of reasons, but it’s mostly because drivers use the battery more than they should without the engine running. That’s why we always recommend that you carry jump cables with you in your car.
This can help you get the engine running again, but in some cases, you may need your battery replaced by a mechanic. Once you’ve got your vehicle started give Cavendish Motor Company a call to ensure you don’t have an ongoing fault that’ll leave you stranded again.
The Wrong Fuel
There are a few options when it comes to fuel at the petrol station. If you’re not paying attention, it’s easy to fill up your car with the wrong one. If this happens and you realise straight away, don’t start your engine. Driving with the wrong fuel can cause damage to your engine. The best course of action is to seek immediate attention from a mechanic to fix the problem. Your system has to be flushed before damage to your engine occurs.
The Tyres
The main reason why people have to replace their tyres prematurely is because they don’t maintain them properly. This includes checking the tyre pressure and inspecting the tread on a regular basis.
The best way you can avoid flat tyres is to book your vehicle in for a vehicle health check. We’ll be able to advise you when you need to replace your tyres as well as spot any other immediate issue that might cause a breakdown.
The Alternator
The alternator in your car has the task of charging your battery. This means that when there’s something wrong with it, it could run your battery flat and you can’t start your engine. One common sign that there’s a problem is dim headlights when the engine is running. If you do notice this, it’s time to head to the garage before you experience a breakdown.
The Engine
An engine overheats more often than you think and it’s going to stop you from driving. If you notice that the temperature gauge is in the red, there could be water pump issues or even a leak causing this overheating. It may be something serious or it could be that you just need more coolant. Either way, a skilled technician is what you need.
The Clutch Cables
You use your clutch cables every time you use your gearbox. So, this is pretty often when you’re driving. With all this hard work, the clutch linkage experiences pressure and over time this can lead to wear and tear. If you suddenly notice that your gears are grinding or the clutch feels strange, it’s time for a service.
The Ignition System
Often, your car will misfire because of a faulty ignition coil. This happens over time with wear and tear and means that the ignition spark is not enough to light the mixture in the cylinder to start your engine. A skilled diagnostic technician will be able to identify this problem pretty quickly and maintain your vehicle to avoid breaking down.
The Brakes
You should never drive your car if you’re experiencing problems with the responsiveness of your brakes. The last thing you want is for you and your family to be unsafe driving on the road. Visit an experienced mechanic so that they can inspect your vehicle and find out what is wrong with the brakes. This could be worn brake pads or the brake fluid needs to be changed.
Trouble-Free Motoring
At Cavendish Motor Company, our aim is to keep you on the road in a car you can trust without breaking down. This is why we have a range of services that offer great value and peace of mind. So whether you need a quick vehicle health check, a service or major overhaul, give us a call on 01670 523200 as we’re here to help.
