4 Ridiculous Common Car Faults
As a car owner, you will no doubt be aware of the massive dirge of common car faults that can befall drivers at any given time.
Whether it’s a car garage giving you an eye-watering bill for a “simple repair”, or one of the common car faults where your car fails to start en route to your biggest conference of the year. Common car faults are a problem that most of us could do without.
While some of us driver cars that run with pristine authority, some drivers just cannot seem to get out of the street without something going wrong!
So… to try and get yourself prepared for auto life, here are five of the most common car faults you are likely to make or witness at one stage:
A Lack of Life
Battery problems are the bane of any driver’s existence.
Common car faults like draining the battery by leaving the lights on overnight can be a terrible mistake, especially if you can’t get to work because of a flat battery.
The problem is that you don’t hear of these common car faults regularly as you should – but they happen all the time!
Common car faults like this have been a long-term problem for many motorists over the years. The best way to dodge this problem is to buy a charge kit so that you can get yourself going in the morning, or to live next door to the world’s friendliest neighbor who happens to have a jump lead pack.
Flat Tyres
Common Car Faults
Doh! This is one of the most common car faults issues you’ll see on the roads. In fact, on any typical work week you’re likely to see at least one absolutely raging person standing by their car waiting for vehicle support to arrive, usually in the rain. A flat tyre can be dodged, by making sure you go for a car service regularly and getting your tyres checked out.
Fuel Problems
Ah, fuel – one of the most costly resources on the planet. Fuel problems are part of the common car faults pack. For a typical driver and the best way to deal with these problems is to make sure that you ALWAYS use the correct fuel in your vehicle. Sound stupid? Okay well hands up how many have put the wrong fuel in their car?
Damaged Cabling
Common car faults can also entail damaged vehicle cables. This can be so infuriating because they can literally put you off the road. A car with damaged brake cables, a weak throttle cable or a useless clutch cable is effectively a massive danger on the road. Here’s some advice: get those cables checked pronto. Find a good garage and get those cables looked at and replaced.
Another suggestion is to try a buy a solid car from the get go. This may sound obvious, but you would be surprised at the level of poor electrics that are found in cars. However a good car garage should be able to sort you out with an easy and reliable fix fast.
To health and vehicle happiness,
Your fearless mechanic,
Phil.
What is a car without good working brakes?
Dangerous!
I know I’m always rambling on about safety – but whichever way you look at it, car safety should always be priority number one.
And what better form of car safety, than to inspect and ensure you have effective working brakes?
Hands down, your brakes are the most important safety device on your car, and if you’ve ever experienced partially losing your brakes before, believe you me… it’s the type of traumatic incident you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy.
CHERRY ON THE TOP
The cherry on the top is that regular brake checks can also save your hard cash, and by being more aware, it will help you to any spot damage before it becomes too costly.
INSPECT YOUR BRAKES TWICE A YEAR
A good idea is to inspect your brakes twice a year to be sure everything is in tiptop condition. This will not only potentially save your life, but also protect you and your passengers from any unnecessary accidents.
NO EXCUSES
Fortunately on most cars, you can inspect your brakes without having to remove the wheel – so there’s no excuse for not checking them.
To assess the condition of your brakes; if your car has the type of alloy wheels that have the spaces in the middle, just take a peek through the gaps and you should be able to see the brakes mechanism.
Irrespective of whether you can see though the gaps in your alloys, or you end up having to take the wheel off, the key point here is to make sure you have a clear view of the brakes mechanism.
FIRST – INSPECT YOUR BRAKES DISCS
Brakes Discs
Your brakes disc should be uniform and shiny from the outer rim to the center.
Try not to be too concerned if you see slight lines engraved into the disc, this is normal and indicates standard wear.
What you do need to look out for however is any pronounced prominent grooves or rough spots on the disc. In the event that you notice these type of markings, it could be an indication that your brakes disc need replacing.
What if one disc needs replacing and the other one doesn’t?
If one disc needs replacing and the other doesn’t, the question I normally get asked by customers is:
“Do I have to replace both discs?” and the answer is yes.
To prevent compromising your safety and car drivability, brake discs should always be replaced in pairs.
TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR BRAKES PADS
Brake pads
If you follow the surface of the disc to the top, you’ll see the outside of your brake’s pad touching the disc.
To establish the condition of the brake’s pads, the rule of thumb is if there is 1/8″ or less remaining on your brake’s pad, (which is about the height of two pennies stacked), it’s time for new pads.
Luckily brake’s pads are generally quite cheap, and replacing your brake’s pads if you have the right equipment is fairly straightforward.
INSPECT YOUR BRAKE LINES
Brake Lines
So… what are brake lines?
To help you understand how brake lines work or indeed what they do, consider this:
Most vehicles have hydraulic braking systems, which means they use fluid to transfer the braking power from your foot to the brakes.
In very simple terms, a typical disc brakes system operates by storing fluid in the master cylinder. When you press the brake pedal and apply pressure, it moves fluid from the master cylinder to the brake callipers, forcing them to clamp down on the brake’s discs to slow the car.
Your cars brake lines are what is used to carry this fluid through the system, which is why they are a crucial brake part.
Basically if your brake lines are split or don’t work, your brakes won’t work and the rest as they say, could be history.
Brake lines tend to be rubber, so when inspecting your brakes lines check to see that the rubber coated lines are soft and supple, not cracked and rigid. If you do notice any cracks it would be wise to have them replaced fast.
NB: During the winter months, especially when there is snow on the road, be sure to also inspect the hard, metal lines, as these can slowly corrode due to the chemicals used on the road.
If you need any guidance or help with any of the above please feel free to get in touch, we’d love to help.
To health and vehicle happiness,
Phil.