10 Road Tips Car Problems That You Must Avoid
Cars

10 Road Tips Car Problems That You Must Avoid

Once your car is on the road, it is exposed to the vagaries of uncertainty and unpredictability. Problems in your car may arise anywhere and at any point in time. It will, therefore, be most prudent for a car owner to be fully aware of the likely problem points and the related remedial measures.

You are then able to avoid any undesirable and problematic situation. Prevention is always better than cure. Below are the 10 Road tips for avoiding car problems.

1. Engine-Related Problems

Engine-Related Problems

Via: http://www.truckinginfo.com/channel/aftermarket/article/story/2012/11/engine-problems-spell-aftermarket-opportunity.aspx

You will be delayed starting the car if the engine of your vehicle has power supply surges, which may also cause your car to stop at any point in time on your journey. Such problems may arise due to a clog in the engine system caused by heat dirt or another heated issue.

The starting problem may also be caused by the discharged battery. The car diagnostic tools (OBD2) fitted to the dashboard ensure that your car is functioning well. The check engine light characterizes any fault detected in the engine, and thus, a smooth road trip is ensured for you.

Tune up the engine before going out to deliver the best balance of power and the lowest emission. The following are the car problems to avoid.

2. Check Your Tires

Check Your Tires

Photo Credit: http://www.aaa.com/PPInternational/International.html?route=%2Fcare%2Fhow-to-avoid-5-summertime-car-problems%2F%3F&referer=www.aaa.com

Check the tire’s pressure using a pressure gauge and measure the pressure of each tire. If you find the pressure below the prescribed limit, fill in the air to make it perfect. Badly worn tires may cause a problem while on the road. Therefore, check the wear bars, which are darker rubber strips, showing that the tire is badly worn out.

You can also check the present condition of the tire by checking the tread of the tire by putting a penny in the tread and then rolling it around. If you observe Lincoln’s eyebrow, change the tire with a new one. Have a similar check for the spare tire. If the tires are underinflated, they may explode.

3. Check the Electrical System

Check the Electrical System

Via: https://www.valpak.com/coupons/printable/great-valley-automotive/10810

Before setting out on a car trip, thoroughly check every component connected to the electrical system, such as exterior and interior lights, windshield wipers, and horns. Even if these are working all right while starting, there are chances that they may go out of order while on the road.

Put some extra bulbs and fuses in your toolbox as a preventive measure. While checking the brake lights, get someone to stand outside the car and confirm their proper functioning. Change the blades of the wiper if they have been in use for quite some time. Check the air conditioner and make it work at the peak of its performance.

4. Look under the Hood

The majority of the essential components of your car are kept below the Hood. Please open it and look at the fluid and oil conditions of different components such as brakes, transmission, power steering, and windshield washers. Replace the used fluid or oil if you find the color and viscosity of the oil below, as prescribed.

Check for any cracks, bulging, or splits into hoses and belts connected to different parts. Check the mark on the battery for the date and year of its installation. If three years elapsed, it is time to change the battery.

5. Test the Safety Features of Your Car

Test the Safety Features of Your Car

Photo Credit: http://www.carztune.com/preventative-maintenance-5-common-car-problems-and-how-to-avoid-them/

It is most pertinent that when your car is on the road, all the safety features of the vehicle are functioning perfectly. Check the seat belts to ensure they are unreeling and retracting properly after buckling them. The seat belt retractor may catch debris, lose functionality, and snap on impact.

Clean the debris out of the belt. Change it with a new one if you find it excessively fraying and wearing. The brake is the first point of security. Test the impact of your brake by a straightforward but effective process.

Go to a low-traffic area and accelerate your car to 50 mph, after which, slam on the brake. If your car moves for more than 100 feet to stop, or if you hear a grinding sound, take your car to the mechanic.

6. Basic Garage Tool Kit

AD

Before setting out on your car, see that your toolbox is well-equipped to face any eventuality related to car problems, while on the road. The toolkit may include:

  • A car jack with support stands
  • Complete set of pliers
  • Wire cutters and awl
  • Spanners
  • Clamps, Bolts, and Nuts
  • Washers
  • Complete set of socket wrenches
  • Complete set of flat-head
  • Phillips screwdrivers
  • A multi-meter
  • A drain pan
  • Jumper cables
  • Roadside flares
  • Duct tape
  • 3 quarts of oil
  • Can of tire infiltrator
  • Flashlight and bottled water
  • A gallon of anti-freeze

You can buy the kits from an auto parts store.

7. Ventilation, Filtration and Fuel Leakage

To prevent the breakdowns of air conditioners and filters, you must check your car’s ventilation and filtration systems before taking it out onto the road. It would be best if you had automotive air conditioning for comfort and ease of journey. The automotive air filters free your engine from foreign particles that may cause blockages to the car engine and the consequent breakdown.

Sometimes, fuel may become volatile because of the changes it requires to undergo changes in form, from liquid to gas. Fuel leakage may cause a breakdown, or the car may not function up to its anticipated performance. Check the hoses and replace them if you find any defects.

8. Small but Important: Key and Cap

Being too small in size and because of its ease of mobility, the car key may be lost, misplaced, or even stolen. If any of such eventualities happen on the way, you will be completely stranded. One way to avoid such a situation is to keep a duplicate car key with a reliable person accompanying you.

You can designate a person as a critical tracker who will be responsible for tracking out misplaced or lost keys. The fuel caps, being very small and mobile, are most likely to be misplaced. Keep the cap clean and ask the critical tracker to take care of the cap.

9. Driving in the Winter Season

Driving in Winter Season

Photo Credit: https://onlymotors.com/avoid-seasonal-car-problems/

The following are the winter driving tips that have to be followed to avoid any car problems. Check the following:

  • Electrical system that covers battery, ignition, and lights
  • Brakes and tires: use snow tires and chains on all four wheels when you expect severe rainfall
  • Exhaust System for leaks
  • Heating and Cooling System that includes radiator, defroster
  • Windshield Wipers
  • Fuel, filling the fuel tank completely

10. Take to a Mechanic

Take to a Mechanic

Photo Credit: http://www.gearheaddiva.com/1586/10-most-common-car-problems-drivers-can-avoid/

Take your car to a mechanic before you start your road. He will have the thorough check set right if any defect is found.


Important Maintenance Tips for Your RV

The following are the tips for maintaining your RV:

  • Lubrication of hinges, slides, locks
  • Tightening of parts attached outside
  • Cleaning off the dirt and grit that cause wear
  • Tires are to be correctly inflated
  • Tanks are to be often sanitized by using Borax or cologne water softener
  • Lights to be checked for marker and signal lights
  • Seals and Seams: any cracking or holes on the roof are to be checked
  • The voltage of the leading coach batteries should be checked and maintained from 12.4 to 12.8 volts when not charged
  • Look underneath the RV for any items hanging or dangling after being broken
  • Check the propane, smoke, and carbon monoxide sensors regularly.

Whether driving on the road or the now, your car needs to be checked for the same features as your car except the need to put the chains or radials while driving on a snowy path, just as car an RV too is an assembly of different parts and needs regular attention to keep it in order.