It is surprising how and why some cars break down in this day and age, but often no matter how modern your vehicle it is – it can still easily become faulty and leave you by the side of the road. Often many modern cars can be worse due to the complexity of vehicles built now. This is why you find many breakdown service patrol trucks have t carry with them the latest diagnostic equipment to identify via the car’s brain what is actually at fault. I think we miss the days when we just broke down and all was at fault was a drained battery.
So here at Ace Glass we have taken a look at the top 5 most common faults.
Lost Keys
Most modern vehicles that you you come across now have what they call a transponder key. This is a normal convention key with an embedded chip that is electronic to prevent theft of the vehicle. if you are unfortunate enough to lose your key then having your car recovered to your local main dealer is often the only option. Ensure you always have at least two main keys for your car. Be wary when buying a car second hand if there is only one key. To get a second copy of a transponder key isn’t cheap.
Flat Tire/Damaged Wheel
Ensure your tires are kept at the right tire pressure as advised on your vehicle handbook. Any curb impact can damage the sidewall of the tire and even the rim of the wheel. This then leads to slow air leaks, which is often the cause of the recovery truck coming out to you. Ensure your wheels are aligned correctly by your local garage and that you are not getting uneven tire wear.
Spark Plugs
The spark plugs are often a much neglected part of your vehicle. Often general maintenance is done within your service schedule and this can get overlooked. Ensure you follow the manufacturers guideline as to when the spark plugs need to be replaced on your vehicle.
HT Leads
HT leads otherwise known as high tension leads and their connections deteriorate with age and much like the spark plugs in a vehicle can also get overlooked. Water and dirt gets ingrained in the insulation lining which damages them over time. Check your vehicle handbook as to when they should be replaced and tick to the schedule.
Alternator
I am sure we have all seen cars on the highway where their headlights appear to be getting dimmer. This is often the result of an alternator fault, so ensure you get this checked on your regular service intervals!