Nobody likes breaking down whilst on a road-trip. In fact, this is probably the worst thing that can happen to one. Having said this, it takes consistent habits of checking your car on a regular basis to minimise the risk of breakdown. Unfortunately, some people are under the impression that their vehicle won’t break down so they skip a check up here and then. And when a warning light comes on, they ignore it for as long as they can until the problem progressively gets bigger. This isn’t the right mindset to look after a car and if these are some of the things you have been doing, you should definitely try and avoid them in the future and address the problem rather than avoiding it for as long as you can.
Car problems can arise for everybody and whether small or big, they should certainly never be ignored. But of course, some problems may take higher priority due to the nature of the problem. Here are a few car problems that we think, you should never ignore:
1. Fluid Leaks
Fluid leaks are probably the most common issues with cars. A car should never be leaking fluid. If so, it should definitely be checked out as soon as possible. Some of the most common fluid leaks include oil leaks, which can result in major engine damage if not cared for urgently. In addition to this, we have transmission fluid leaks which can result in the need for a massive transmission repair.
2. Brake Noise
Grinding or squealing noise heard when hitting your break is normally a sign of some sort of damage associated with the break. If you ever hear such noise, be sure to visit your local garage right away. Grinding noise normally means your break pads are critically low and should never be ignored. If so, it could lead to a failure in break function which can easily lead to an accident.
3. Check Engine Light
Engine light is another common problem that you should never ignore. If you ever see this light, you should address the problem straightaway and get a diagnostic carried out as soon as possible. Having said this, most check engine light problems are relatively small but if not cared for in time, can turn into a huge issue e.g. failed oxygen sensor which may result in the need to replace the catalytic convertor – this can be a huge cost.
4. Burnt Out Lights
If a light is gone, whether it’s a headlight, tail light, reverse light, turn signal or any other light, you should try replacing it as soon as possible. Driving with a burnt light is not only illegal in the UK but it’s also very dangerous, especially at night and it will certainly put you at a greater risk of accidents.
5. Colored Exhaust Smoke
If the smoke of your engine is colourful, it normally means a problem. Blue smoke means oil is burning, white smoke represents leaking coolant, black smoke means too much gasoline is being used. It’s of course up to you to keep your vehicle safe and reliable, which you can do so by paying close attention to signs of trouble and to your local garage as soon as it is safe to do so.
That’s everything for this blog. I hope you enjoyed it and learned a few things.
A car breakdown can be very stressful and ruin your entire day. Not only this, it can be quite dangerous and costly as well. If your car has never broken down before, it’s a good idea to be prepared so that you know what to do in case it breaks down anywhere. If you ever breakdown, the most important thing to remember is that your safety should be your top priority. With this in mind, here are some tips on what you should do during a breakdown on a motorway or even a minor road:
If you break down anywhere:
You should move your vehicle off the road as soon as it is safe to do so – or pull over to the hard shoulder
Put your hazard lights on (and your sidelights if it’s dark or foggy)
Wear a reflective jacket if you have one to ensure other drivers can see you. This is super-important when you are on a high-speed motorway
Get out of the car (and get your passengers out, too) and move away from your car and moving traffic
Leave animals in the car to avoid potential accidents
Stay away from moving traffic
If you have a disability that prevents you from following these steps, stay in the car with your seatbelt on, switch on your hazard lights and call your breakdown provider or the emergency services
If you can’t get onto the hard shoulder, stay in your car with your seatbelt fastened until it is safe to leave the car, and call the emergency services as soon as possible to get help
If you break down on the motorway, you should also:
If possible, keep up momentum until you are safely at the side of the road
Move to the hard shoulder if possible, and position your wheels to face the grass verge
If you can’t get to the hard shoulder, turn on your hazard lights and call the emergency services for assistance before you call a vehicle rescue service
Call your breakdown provider with details of your car, your location and the issue you are having with your car. You may not know the issue in technical terms but it would help to let your breakdown provider know of the basics i.e. a flat tyre or engine fault
Don’t attempt any repairs yourself and leave this to the professionals. It can be very costly if attempt repairing the car yourself without the required knowledge of the mechanics of your vehicle
Exit your car from a left-hand door rather than the driver’s side next to oncoming traffic, as it isn’t safe to stay inside the car in this situation. Move behind the crash barrier and up the bank if you can.
If you don’t have a mobile phone with you, walk to an emergency phone at the side of the road. These are orange and the arrows on the posts at the back of the hard shoulder will guide you to the nearest phone. This phone will connect you directly to the highways agency.
Don’t put a warning triangle on the hard shoulder as this isn’t safe for you
If your breakdown provider fixes your car at the side of the road, merge back onto the motorway safely by building up speed on the hard shoulder, signalling early and checking your blind spots. Watch out for other cars also parked on the hard shoulder.
Breaking Down On A Smart Motorway
Smart motorways are different because they do not have a hard shoulder. If you break down on a smart motorway, here are a few things you should do if you breakdown on a smart motorway:
Stop at an emergency refuge area (ERA) or motorway service area, or leave at the next junction if possible
If this is not possible, try to get the vehicle off the carriageway
If you’re in the left-hand lane, put your hazard lights on, get out of the vehicle on the passenger side if it is safe to do so, and wait behind the barrier
The authorities will see that your car has stopped, and close the lane so that your car isn’t hit
If you’re in another lane or you can’t get out of the car, keep your seatbelt on and call the emergency services
If you stop in an ERA, use the SOS phone to contact the Regional Control Centre both when you stop and before you leave
Call your breakdown provider to get help as soon as it is safe to do so
Breaking Down On Minor Roads
Breaking down on a minor road is not as dangerous as breaking down on a motorway, but there will be cars driving past and you still need to take a few steps to ensure you are safe:
If you are on a busy or main road, you may want to pull into a side street if possible to stay away from the moving traffic
Put your hazard lights on (and your side lights if it’s dark)
Wear a reflective jacket if you have one and place your warning triangle within 50 yards behind your vehicle on the same side of the road to warn other road users. If you don’t have a warning triangle, it may be worth getting one for your own safety if you ever breakdown. You can purchase one from Amazon for only £4 – £6. Here is one we recommend – Reflective Warning Triangle by Travel Kits
If you are worried about your car getting hit by other vehicles, make sure that you and your passengers exit the car when it is safe to do so
Call your breakdown provider and wait for assistance
What if You Don’t Have Breakdown Cover?
If you don’t have breakdown cover, you can either phone a local garage, join a breakdown cover provider on the spot, or if you are on the motorway, contact the highways agency. Here’s a little more information about each option:
Depending on where you have broken down, you can call a local breakdown recovery provider to either repair your car on the roadside (if it’s a minor issue) or help transporting to a local garage (for larger issues).
2. Call A Local Garage
Garages normally work with local breakdown recovery providers and may charge a call out fee, as well as a fee for each mile your vehicle is towed. If you are in an unfamiliar location you might not know where the nearest garage is, and this can work out to be quite expensive.
3. Join A Breakdown Provider
You can call a breakdown provider and join them on the spot, which would mean you would be attended to like any other breakdown customer. This comes with an additional fee but it could be your cheapest option, and you’ll be covered for the next 12 months.
4. Call the Highways Agency
If you break down on the motorway, you can call the highways agency using the emergency phones at the side of the road. They will tow you to a local garage, but this can come at a hefty price – at least £150.
Of course, the cheapest option would be to ensure that you have breakdown cover in place at all times but you may not want to do this for various reasons. Some car insurance policies also come with breakdown cover included, so you can contact your insurance provider if you ever breakdown. If you’re not sure whether you have a breakdown cover in place, you can call your insurance provider to find out.
Prepare For Long Journeys
If you’re heading out on a long journey, it’s a good idea to carry out basic maintenance and checks to help you avoid a breaking down as much as possible. There are a few pre-journey checks you should do including:
Check your oil and water levels
Check your tyre tread and pressure
It’s also a good idea to put a few things in your car in the event of a breakdown, such as:
Your breakdown membership details
A fully charged mobile phone (with it’s charger just in case)
A reflective jacket
A warning triangle
A first aid kit
Blankets
A torch
Snacks and plenty of water
A shovel, de-icer, an ice scraper and warm clothes in the winter
Most breakdowns are unavoidable and happen when we least expect it, but if you know what to do and you have everything you need, you should be able to deal with it safely.
Why should you choose Fastlink recovery company instead of driving? It’s safer, faster and even cheaper. Let’s check out how. Whether you are relocating or want to avail transportation service, you always seek the best company offering car breakdown and transportation service in Surrey and London. That’s not all, you also want it at an affordable price we offer. After all, the cost of transporting a car is not a light order. But when you work with experienced companies, you will ensure the best bang for your buck.
Car Transportation Companies Are Dependable
Do a quick Google search or ask around for car transportation experiences. This might help you find other people with experience transporting their cars. However, You must be wary of companies without any reviews at all and companies with numerous negative reviews.
Car Transportation Companies Are Convenient
Once you know where you want to transport your vehicle, choose the companies that offer you transportation facilities to those locations. Now, the best scenario involves booking car transportation in advance. Once you know you will be relocating, start looking at companies and getting quotes immediately so you can take time choosing the right transporter. Follow the following three major steps:
1.Research 2. Booking 3. Shipping
Most people who need to transport a vehicle will get quotes from several companies, so watch out for car transportation companies that pressurize you to make immediate decisions.
Car Transportation Companies Work Fast
Once you have finalized your pickup and drop off location, the transportation dates and looked at company reviews to determine the best-rated company, you are in for the easy part.
Most of the companies provide you an instant quote and the price generally relies on a few things; the distance between the pick up and drop off locations, the vehicle you have and whether your vehicle is a runner or a non-runner. You must know that large vehicle transportation costs more than smaller ones. Also, short distances will cost less than transporting from one province to another. Finally, know that car transportation companies are cheaper. However, it’s important to consider the size and weight of the car, as this will have a direct impact when calculating the cost.
Surrey & London Car Breakdown, Roadside Assistance and Recovery Service | Fastlink Recovery 