Common Car Problems

Ever wonder what common car problems contribute to breakdowns, stalls and engine blowouts? Here is a list of frequent reasons motorists contact a towing company.

Dead Battery

This won’t happen while your car is in motion, but a dead battery is one of the most popular reasons a car needs a tow. If you don’t have jumper cables on hand and someone with a working car to give you a boost, you will need roadside assistance for a jumpstart attempt. If these efforts fail, your vehicle must be towed to a garage for a battery recharge or replacement. 

Overheating Engine

An overheated car can be disastrous – you will have to pull over right away. You might have no idea what to expect when you hear back from the mechanic, but chances are, you could be dealing with either a faulty cooling system, a clogged radiator or other low fluid levels.

A leak in the cooling system will quickly cause your engine to break down. You may have spotted early signs of leaks on your driveway or in your garage, but chalked it up to condensation. A professional mechanic will test the system to diagnose the leak’s origin, whether it’s from a hose or the radiator. Your cooling system may also have a broken water pump, the component that powers the coolant throughout the engine. When this expires, it takes only minutes for the engine to overheat.

The radiator is essential to proper engine function, lowering coolant temperature and pumping it back into the system. Radiators must be flushed regularly, or else a clog may result from the bits of debris that build up over time.

Low oil levels can also contribute to an engine overheating, as oil lubricates the moving engine parts and keeps temperatures lowered. Even if your car is showing signs of having enough oil, the oil pump could have broken down, thus causing the engine bearings and pistons to seize or overheat. 

Fuel Pump Malfunction

The fuel pump is integral to engine function, as evidenced from its name. A worn fuel pump will most commonly fail when a vehicle is put under stress, such as when forced to climb a steep incline. In other scenarios, your car’s fuel pump could also give out on the highway, causing your engine sputters to a stop. Early warning signs of an aging fuel pump are an engine surge, or the engine suddenly slowing while traveling at a consistent high speed.

Contact Stauffer’s Towing if you require emergency roadside assistance due to one of these common car engine problems, and for all your other towing needs.