10 Common Car Problems and How to Solve Them

Every car owner has to face car-related problems at some point in their life. However, some common car problems are minor and can be fixed quickly, whereas some require mechanical guidance. A major problem in the car can get you in trouble, so you should check up on your car regularly. 

Imagine you are on a trip in a hilly area, and suddenly, your car stops in the middle of the mountains. Even after using alternative methods, the car is not able to restart. What will you do? So, today, we will examine common car-related problems and their solutions. 

Common Car Problems and Their Solutions

1. Battery Failure

Battery failure is one of the common car problems. The main reason for this problem is that you leave the car lights on for a long time or leave the car on and do not drive. This can damage the battery and reduce its shelf life. Moreover, the main symptoms of battery failure are that your battery may be swollen for a long time, battery terminal corrosion, and more.

Solution:

1. Check battery connections

2. Charge the battery

3. Test the battery

4. Replace the battery

5. Check battery age

2. Exhaust Smoke

Car engines regularly burn gasoline and diesel, which causes invisible smoke. But if you notice smoke from the car has colours (blue, white, and black), something must be fishy. 

What is blue, white and black smoke?

• Blue Smoke: It refers to the burning of oil engines.
• White Smoke: It refers to the entering of water into the combustion chamber.
• Black smoke: It refers to incomplete combustion.

Solution:

• Blue Smoke: If worn piston rings and valve seal are damaged, replace them, and replace the turbocharger if necessary.
• White Smoke: Check if the coolant is leaking. If so, replace it as soon as possible.
• Black Smoke: If the air filter is clogged, replace it, regularly clean the fuel injector, and check the vacuum leaks.

3. Dead Battery

Dead Batteries are common car problems. The symptoms of dead batteries are that if the battery of your car dies, it will not start, the headlights will be dim, dashboard gauges will not work, and more. However, it happens because of extraordinarily high or low temperatures, corrosion on the terminals, or failure of the charging system. It is the most common problem with smart cars.

Solution:

• Jump Starting the car battery
• Replace old battery with new 

4. Engine Overheating

Engine Overheating is one of the most common car problems on trips. It occurs because of insufficient coolant, broken water pumps, fan problems, and more if this happens, you should check the temperature gauge immediately. Also, it can be caused by engine damage or electrical issues. 

Solution:

• Turn off the AC so that the heat goes out
• You should restart the engine 
• Pull over the car in an open and safe location

5. Flat tyres

Flat tyres are a major problem and should not be considered common car problems. If you find your car’s tyres flat, you should stop immediately. Moreover, flat tyres can damage other parts of the car as well. They mainly happen because of punctured tyres. Flat tyres can also damage the valve stem because they are connected between the tyre and rim, so the car’s tyre damage will directly affect the valve stem.

Solution:

• Regularly check the condition of your tyre to see if it does not have cuts or damage.
• Do not overweight your car
• Change the valve stem after some time.

6. Shaking Steering

Shaking steering can cause big problems. If you see the steering wheel shake at high speeds, it happens because of tyre imbalance, which causes accidents. Moreover, there are some problems with the broken rotors or worn damaged suspension. To avoid this problem, you should regularly check if the steering is not losing from anywhere or is working well.

Solutions:

• Replace damaged tie rod, control arms and bushing
• Consistently check the steering condition
• Regularly check the steering if something is losing component, then fix it

7. Fluid Leaking

There are many reasons for clear fluid leaking from the car, like water coming from the AC system (due to condensation), engine oil leak (loose oil filter), damaged water pump, and more. These are the common causes of fluid leaking in the car, although they do not cause any severe problems and are considered common car problems.

Solution:

• Check all the connections; if you find any loose, then tight them
• If you see water leaking, apply any temporary sealant
• Stop the car aside and call the mechanic because the fluid may be oil.

8. Windscreen cracks

Windscreen cracks come in many types, including minor chips, bull’s eye cracks, half-moon cracks, and combination cracks. Some are very serious and can cause major problems, whereas others are solvable. However, they can also be caused by extreme cold, accidents, direct sun rays on the windscreen, rocks and pebbles thrown during Tornadoes or natural disasters, and more.

Solution:

• If there is a big crack, it will be fixed by changing the glass
• Avoid extreme temperatures (they can break the glass)
• Regularly check your windscreen so that any small piece of rock is not collected there.

9. Motor Failure

Electrical and mechanical problems can cause motor failure but can also occur due to overheating, less maintenance, water collecting during rainy days or while cleaning, and more. Moreover, motor failure can happen at any time, and it is important to check if the motor does not have corrosion regularly.

Solution:

• Give rest and keep your motor cold as much as possible
• Clean the motor and check if the water is not collected
• Use motor analysis tool and check the condition regularly 

10. Low AC Cooling

Have you ever noticed low AC Cooling? This is a common issue with cars. Electrical problems, low power generation, referent leaks, a broken condenser, engine overheating, and more might cause it.

Solution: 

• Take your car for service 
• If you’re using AC consistently, then switch it off for a few minutes.

Conclusion

Car owners commonly encounter car-related problems, but sometimes, they can be more serious, and you cannot ignore them. Problems like dead batteries, shaking steering, and fluid leakage are major car problems. It is important to check your car regularly and take it to the service every 5-6 months. Otherwise, common car problems can cause severe damage to the vehicle.

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