5 unexpected car problems you should know how to resolve
Car problems pop up for a wide variety of reasons, and they’re not always easy to spot. They tend to catch us in the worst possible moment as we’re rushing to an important event or destination. In these situations, you want to be able to resolve the problems as quickly as possible and get back on the road. There are some car problems that you can take care of on your own, so you don’t have to go to a mechanic every single time for car maintenance. Here are a few examples.
A dead battery
If you’ve ever left your headlights on in the car by accident, you’ve probably run into this problem. The car won’t start due to the dead battery, and you’re left stranded outside of the mall or grocery store. The good news is that a jump pack is all you really need to get it back up and running again.
To use it, connect the positive lead to the terminal on the battery, connect the negative lead to an engine ground, and turn on the pack. You should be able to start the car normally after you’ve completed these steps. The jump pack can be recharged using the standard charger that is included, though it may take a full night’s charging to get it back up to full.
If you don’t have a jump pack, jumpstarting using a stranger’s car and jump cables is the recommended solution. You might have to wait for a volunteer, but you’ll be able to get the car working again eventually.
Malfunctioning wiper blades
People often underestimate the importance of their wiper blades when they don’t need them. However, getting caught in a rainstorm can quickly remind you exactly how critical wiper blades are for safe driving. When they malfunction, you tend to notice the change immediately. Taking care of the issue is crucial if you want to drive in bad weather.
It’s easy enough to replace the wiper blades, but only if you have some spares. Luckily, these kinds of car parts are also easy to find. Make sure that you always purchase new ones after replacing the old ones, as you never know when they may break again. When installing, wait for the clicking sound to ensure that the wipers are locked into place and won’t fly off once you start driving.
Flat tires
A flat tire is another common issue you might run into while driving, but you’ll rarely expect it. As it will put your car to a stop, you’ll need to resolve the issue immediately if you want to be on your way. This is why it helps to have a few tricks up your sleeve to take care of a flat tire right away.
The simplest and most straightforward solution would be to replace the tire with a spare. You should always keep a spare doughnut in the trunk alongside some essential tools for the job. However, this isn’t the only available solution. An even more convenient way to take care of a flat tire is to seal it with tire sealant. It’s a much quicker way to repair the tire, and it lets you get back on the road much more quickly. After you seal the puncture, you can inflate the tire back to full and continue on your way.
Overheating
If your car is overheating, it might be an issue with the engine or the coolant. You should be able to take note of coolant levels through the dashboard and warnings, but that won’t always be the case. What if the coolant is leaking from the car instead of reaching the engine block? In these situations, you won’t be able to refill the coolant to resolve the issue.
To prevent the car from overheating and damaging the engine, you’ll need to take it to a qualified car mechanic for repairs. Once the leak has been identified and plugged, you can continue adding coolant whenever it’s needed.
Hose leaks
Radiator hoses can dry out and leak over time, which can be another cause of car overheating. You can identify this issue by inspecting the hose itself for punctures and leaks. If the issue is caused by the radiator hose, you can simply repair it with a hose repair kit.
Before you begin, you should always let the engine cool down. This process may take longer than usual if the car has already started overheating. Use the rubber cement to plug any punctures in the hose and test the engine out before you begin driving. Afterwards, you should take the car to a mechanic to have the hose replaced, as this is only a temporary solution.
Conclusion
There are numerous car issues that you can resolve on your own. However, identifying them can be tricky, depending on where the malfunction occurs. If you don’t want to take the car to a mechanic every time a minor issue pops up, you should keep various spares and repair kits in your car at all times.
