PART 1B: How can I prevent the top-ten causes of car breakdowns?

06 October 2008 :

by compareandsave.com Editors

This section of Part 1 of our Breakdown Cover Special will talk you through how to minimise the chance of the top-ten causes of car breakdowns happening to your vehicle.

According to the AA many of the most common problems dealt with at the roadside can “be avoided with the correct preventative care”.

Flat battery and other battery related problems

How to prevent

a. When your vehicle is serviced, make sure that the battery terminals have been cleaned and been coated in a layer of petroleum jelly or grease to prevent corrosion. Check that clamps and connections are secure.

b. If you only use your vehicle for short trips, you can prevent a breakdown caused by loss of voltage by charging your battery overnight every couple of weeks. If you have a modern battery, they will probably be ‘maintenance free’ and therefore shouldn’t need regular recharging.
Lost keys

How to prevent

a. Make sure you always carry a spare set of keys

b. See a.
Flat/damaged tyres and wheels

How to prevent

a. Try to leave plenty of space away from the kerb when you go around corners. Brush up on your parallel parking if you regularly hit the kerb during this manouvre.

b. Check your spare tyre. If it is worn or flat, it will be useless to you when you really need it. Plus, the terms and conditions of most breakdown cover policies state that if your spare tyre isn’t in a fit enough state to be used and your breakdown recovery agent can’t perform a simple tyre change at the side of the road, you will be charged the recovery fee to the nearest garage.

c. Make sure you carry the locking wheel nut removal key with you at all times.

d. If your wheels are misaligned, this will likely cause uneven tyre wear so when checking your tyres’ tread depths check for this uneven wear and get your wheels realigned if necessary.

e. Make sure you always carry a jack and wheel removal tools, and that they are in a good state of repair.
Faults with alternators

How to prevent

a. If you start to notice that you are having regular problems with your battery, or that your headlights are dim when your vehicle is idling, get your alternator checked

b. Make sure that your alternator belt is checked regularly so that if it is worn to the point where it may soon give way, it can be replaced.
Problems with starter motor

How to prevent

a. Getting your starter motor checked regularly should identify any potential faults before it stops working altogether.
Distributor cap faults

How to prevent

a. If the weather protection that covers the cap gets a split in it, make sure you get this replaced as soon as possible. You can prevent problems by replacing the distributor cap at the recommended intervals as set by the vehicle manufacturer.
Problems with fuel

How to prevent

a. Make sure you fill up with fuel before you set off on your journey. Don’t leave it too late to fill up your tank.

b. Pop a label on your fuel cap, or on the fuel cap flap, stating which fuel your vehicle takes. If you have a company vehicle, this should be stated on the key ring you are given with the vehicle key.
Broken clutch cables

How to prevent

a. The best solution is to replace the clutch cable at the first signs of wear and tear. Additionally, it can help if you try not to ‘ride the clutch’ (by keeping the car at its biting point on hills and in traffic but instead putting the handbrake on) as this will wear the clutch out more quickly.
Faulty spark plugs

How to prevent

a. Be sure to replace the spark plugs at the recommended service intervals as set out by the manufacturer
Broken HT leads

How to prevent

a. Damp repellent sprays can provide a temporary fix. The best option is to get a garage to check them regularly and replace as and when necessary.