It’s common to get busy and put off car maintenance (we’ve all been there)—but preventing minor issues from becoming major car trouble is easier and less expensive than you think. In fact, proper car care can save you up to $1,200 a year in emergency repairs, says automotive expert Lauren Fix. Here are her tips for bypassing the most common warm weather car and engine breakdown issues without breaking a sweat so you won’t be left asking, ‘why did my car breakdown’ after an incident this summer.
Engine Breakdowns: Check Engine Light
The sight of a “service engine soon” light can mean many different things—some simple enough to fix yourself (like a cracked or loose gas cap, the second most common culprit) and others requiring a trip to the mechanic.
Common Reasons For A Check Engine Light:
Some of the most common reasons that your check engine light might be on are:
- Faulty oxygen sensor.
- Spark plug or coil issues.
- Mass airflow sensor fault.
- Catalytic converter problems. Image via Wikimedia Commons/The RedBurn.
- Loose petrol cap.
Prevent It: Read the service schedule and stick to it to keep things running in tip-top shape (find out which maintenance moves you can easily take care of yourself here). Following these guidelines should help minimize engine breakdowns.
What To Do If Your Car Breaks Down:
Because the check engine light can point to a variety of issues that may or may not be serious, it is always important to pull over immediately and get your car checked out by a professional. Don’t take the risk; pull off the road, turn off the car, and have it towed to an auto repair shop for diagnosis. Failure to do so could lead to severe damage to your vehicle or yourself.
Car Breakdowns: Flat Tires
Between a major uptick in construction and more people on the road, flats are a very common reason for car breakdowns during the summer. It’s a good know how to fix a flat yourself, but it’s even better to give tires regular TLC to reduce the chances of a blowout in the first place.
Prevent It: Set a reminder in your phone to check your tire pressure once a month. Look for a sticker on the inside panel of the driver side door for the recommended PSI (pounds per square inch). To add or release air, use an air compressor or a gas station air machine. While you’re down there, check the treads, too, to make sure they’re not worn out. (Here are 5 signs you need new tires.) Don’t forget to check the air pressure in your spare tire as well.
What To Do If You Have A Flat Tire:
If you experience a flat tire, the first step is to pull over and make sure you are in a safe place. If you know how to replace a tire and have a spare, your next step will be to replace the flat tire. Should you not have a spare or not know how to change your tire, call for assistance to get towed to the nearest auto repair shop.
Car Engine Breakdowns Due To Overheating
Keep your eyes on the temperature gauge and look out for an “engine overheating” message or lit radiator icon on your dashboard. You may also notice steam coming from the hood. If you smell gas, that’s a different problem—most likely a fuel leak.
Prevent It: Check your coolant levels at the beginning of every season. If the liquid doesn’t reach the FULL line on the reservoir, add a 50/50 mix of water and coolant until it does.
What To Do If Your Car Is Overheating:
If you are driving and your engine is overheating, there are some steps you can take until you are in safety or at an auto repair shop:
- Crank the heat in your car to move heat away from the engine.
- Find a safe place to pull over.
- Check your coolant and add it (if you have it available in your car).
- Re-start your car if possible. Unless you have to call a tow truck, the next step is to restart your engine carefully.
Car Breakdowns Due To Dead Car Battery
Although most people associate a dead car battery with winter, just like with the cooling system in your car, soaring temps can put extra stress on the battery and cause battery fluid to evaporate.
Prevent It: Head to any major chain auto store to have a professional check your battery, starter and alternator (it’s usually free). And while it’s OK to leave your devices charging for a few hours with your car off, leaving them plugged in overnight will most likely require a jump start the next morning.
What To Do If Your Car Battery Is Dead:
The most common way to deal with a dead battery is by trying to jump-start the battery. All you need to jump-start a car is a set of jumper cables and another car with a functional battery. If you cannot find a fellow driver to help you jump-start your vehicle, you can always call for backup from GEICO’s Emergency Road Service or get towed to a mechanic.
Other Reasons Your Car Might Be Broken Down:
- Alternator Issues
- Fluid Leaks
- Tire Damage
- Worn Shock Absorbers
If you’re ever stranded on the road, having Emergency Road Service with GEICO can get you the help you need in a hurry—and at your fingertips through the GEICO Mobile app. Add this coverage to your policy for just pennies a day per vehicle for peace of mind wherever the summer takes you.
By Nicole Cherie Jones
Donna Benningfield says,
Thank you for sending out message on things to check for on your car for summer, winter or traveling. Very interesting to read.
Ferris Roby says,
Thanks much for the information.
Ferris Roby says,
Thank you for your assistance. Pleasure working with you.
RAK1 says,
Good tips, I have driven more than 2 Million miles, I have found it very helpful to check these things on a regular basis ( monthly and before any long trip ). Learn to listen to your car and check out any abnormal sounds. Thank you Geico.
Vladimir Gamarnik says,
When I got a flat tire, I called GEICO for help. I was told my waiting time is two hours. As a result I changed the tire myself.
Runetta Rigdon says,
Thank you GEICO!
Susan Robbins says,
I am glad I have GEICO because we had to use it twice in the past year and It didn’t cost me a
cent. We take care of scheduled maintenance so the road service was not for any of the above. Thank you for the information above.
Catherine Millary says,
Thank you Geico
Bill Gilbreath says,
Thank you Geico
AnnMarie LaMarche says,
Thank you for showing the meaning of symbols.
Juan says,
Thanks
Darilyn C. Washington says,
Thanks Abunch!
Good Looking Out!
God Bless You All.
joann Johnson says,
Thanks for that great information so helpful again thanks!
Tab says,
Those are four good tips to follow which I did. But I was taken by car repair shops, and car dealerships for thousand of dollars. I thought taking my car to the dealership would be of course more expensive, but at least problems with my vehicle would be taken care of and kept in top notch because it was being serviced by the dealership. But dealerships are crooks and can’t be trusted as well as other car repair shops. You go for an oil change and the dealer tells you you need new brakes, you get new brakes the dealer tell you that you need a new starter, you get a new starter and then they tell you that you need a transmission, on and on and on. You get the recommended repairs done, and in the next month you’re having the same problems that the dealer tells you that you wouldn’t have if you get their reccomendation done. Dealerships need to have random inspections, and a letter grading system like restaurants.
I’m not the only one that have experienced this common problem with car repair shops, and dealerships. I have had conversations with quite a few customers while waiting in the dealership’s customer wait room, and with family members and friends that had the same experience with car repair shops and dealerships. But thanks for the tips any Geico.
Chi Chu says,
Never go to the dealership for car repair after your car warranties ran out.The car dealership alway charges about 3 times as much as any regular cars mechanics does.So Dealerships are their to sell you a new car not to fixes them.Only take any mechanics reconmentations,your car,your choice shop around for a good price and only a mechanic you can trust and have a good service relationship with and stick with it.
HA says,
Just like with a doctor, you need to put in the effort and ask people who have used various car repair places in order to find one both capable and trustworthy. It will NOT be the least expensive one.
Darlene Hanson Hanson says,
I am afraid the above response is true…. and if you are a widow… watch out!!! Take your son or a friend… someone who knows cars with you…. and listen to the stories of others… word of mouth…. recommendations… There are honest repair places…. find them…. Compare job prices at different shops… When they suggest this and that say ,” I will think about it… not today! ” Do some comparisons..
Jennifer Jenkins says,
Thank you GEICO for the reminders. Being a car owner is a big responsibility. It’s like raising children. We take them for check ups…. dentist, doctor appointments, etc….
Dianna Jackson says,
Thank you so much for the information came in very handy…I had my 2012 Nissan Versa for 3 years, never had a problem thank goodness…it’s always good to keep up with the minor as well as the major thing’s when needed done. I now have a 2012 Kia Forte and will keep up with thing’s when need be…thanks for sharing
Chi Chu says,
WOW a Nissan to a Kia,that a big step in backward in quality and in car manufacture.Should of go forward in quality like to a Toyota or a Honda manufactures instead.