Common Vehicle Problems and Cures

Every car owner prays at least a thousand times before going out for a long drive that the car does not snap in the middle of nowhere. I am sure almost every car owner has had to face the same situation. However, the problems, if proper attention is paid in time, can be prevented from happening.

The common car problems can be categorized in major sections like: Electrical, Hydraulic, Engine, and Alignment.

Most car owners often grapple with a problem that the car is not starting. The reason, more often than not, is due to electrical problem. The electric wires and battery terminals due to constant wear and tear gather dust and corrosion too interferes with the proper electric charge. Therefore, the car does not start. Thus in the event of any such problem, one should first check the battery terminal, then remove the cable, clean the terminal and cable connector. To prevent further corrosion of the terminal, grease or any other corrosion resistant material should be applied. One common trouble involves no sound on starting the car. The cause lies in the connection. On the other hand, if it’s the case of a dead battery- the battery will grind or click slowly.

The hydraulic is one of the most vital areas in any car. Hydraulic comprises brakes and shock absorber. Brakes, no need to mention, are the only device to stop a speeding car except a very good luck and an empty fuel tank. So, the brake related problems assume the vital importance. The main brake related problems can be classified under the following heads: LOW BRAKE FLUID, SPONGY OR SOFT BRAKE PEDAL, HARD BRAKE PEDAL.

The Low Brake Fluid problem is the most dangerous of all brake related problems. The reason being, this problem often leads to every driver’s nightmare-the brake failure. This problem is generated by a leak in the brake system. Once this problem is suspected-the calipers, wheel cylinders, brake hoses, master cylinder all must be inspected. If a real leak is detected then the faulty part must be immediately replaced. The wheels must not roll until the problem is fixed.

The Spongy or Soft Brake Pedal problem happens if there is air in the brake system. Improper bleeding, fluid loss or a very low fluid level is thought to be the reason behind this problem. The remedy to this problem is to bleed the brakes. However, to do that the sequence mentioned in the car manual should be followed, as it is different for different cars.

A Hard Brake Pedal is the technical term for a lack of power assist in the brake systems. This problem may happen due to low engine vacuum, a leaky vacuum hose or a defective booster or a faulty check valve. There is one very easy way to detect this problem. The engine should be started so that the vacuum builds up. Afterwards, shut the engine off and wait for about five minutes. Apply the brakes then to see if there is still power assist. In case of no power assist, the check valve needs to be replaced.

Another common hydraulic part includes: the Shock Absorber. The name itself is suggestive of its purpose. Yes, it absorbs the jerks. Therefore, if your car seems to jump too much, even on a smooth road then it is time to check your car’s shock absorber. This problem is certain to have occurred if the vehicle keeps bouncing for some time after hitting a bump. This problem needs immediate attention as it makes the travel really painful and this problem gets worse if not taken care at the right time. The possible cause- the shock absorbers may have been broken or have become worn out. The shock mounts for the shock absorbers, if broken, can also result in a bumpy ride. However, irrespective of the problem- the shock absorbers have to be replaced.

Engine is the nerve centre of any car. So it is imperative to understand the common ailment with causes and remedies of this most vital part of a car. The most common and annoying problem related to an engine is overheating. The internal combustion engine of a car runs on heat. An engine converts the chemical energy of fuel into heat energy, which actually drives the pistons of the engine to move the car forward. The hotter an engine is, more efficient it becomes. However, beyond 220 degrees Fahrenheit- the engine starts to overheat and then the problem of over heating arises. The consequence of over heating results in the losing of engine’s power under the severe force of heat and pressure. The engine will ping and if the problem is not solved immediately, the hammer like blows shall damage the rings, pistons. Overheating is generally the result of one or several factors. It may be due to a Defective Thermostat, Cooling System Leaks, Fan, and Radiator etc.

A Thermostat helps to keep the heat generated by an engine at proper limit. So, overheating may be caused due to any problem with that. However, even overheating is not caused by a torn thermostat-it nonetheless should be replaced. The reason being, heat damages thermostat. Therefore, it should be tested or replaced before the engine is turned on again.

A Cooling System Leak is often the most common cause of overheating. The loss of coolant (a 50/50 mixture of water and ethylene glycol) in the cooling system results in over heating in most of the cases. The possible leak points are hoses, the radiator, heater core, thermostat housing to name a few.

A Faulty Fan reduces an engine’s cooling ability. A missing fan shroud has been found to have reduced the fan’s cooling effectiveness by fifty percent. However, this percentage varies with the distance of the fan from the radiator. This problem is compounded further in hot weather or when the engine runs for longer hours. The solution to this problem is to replace the fan.

Clogs in the Radiators, Dirt, dead insects and sand may also cause overheating. All these block the flow of air through it. These obstacles prevent the radiator from properly dissipating heat. Internal Corrosion can also be blamed for a radiator’s reduced cooling ability. The solution to this problem lies in clearing up the obstacles in the radiator. However, if it’s a case of internal corrosion then it should be immediately taken for servicing.

Another common ailment of a car is the alignment problem. Any fault in the steering alignment deviates the car from its preferred course. A steering keeps a vehicle in the straight line provided all the four wheels point in the same direction. Besides, there must be no steering or suspension linkage that positions the wheels. Therefore it can be easily deduced that any alignment problem would hamper the wheels to keep the vehicle in a same line. Thus the vehicle would not steer straight. Besides, only 1/8 inch of toe misalignment at the front or back generates a huge wear for the car. This wear is calculated to be the equivalent of scrubbing the tires by the side margins by as much as 28 feet per mile traveled.

So, to prevent the wheels from behaving unexpectedly, the steering alignment problem must be addressed immediately. Besides, the tires also get damaged due to faulty alignment. So, alignment should be maintained at the specified percentage.

If you are facing any of the above problem or any other vehicle related problem, feel free to contact CarSnaps Technical Supportor start a new thread in CarSnaps Automotive forum asking for help from qualified technicians and fellow car owners.