There’s no preferable time for your car to break down as it will be bad in any situation, however, it’s worse when it happens when you’re driving it in the middle of nowhere. You’ll need to get off the road safely before your car stops completely, and you’ll also be stuck without any way of getting to your destination quickly. That is when a reliable roadside assistance company comes in handy, as they can help provide you with assistance when you need it most.
On the other hand, there are numerous ways you can prevent your car from breaking down. There are no guarantees, but you can take some steps that will significantly reduce the chances of your car breaking down when you’re driving.
Here’s what you should do:
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1. Practice Regular Maintenance
The ideal maintenance schedule for your vehicle will be specified in the vehicle manual, but you should still visit the mechanic regularly for checkups. This will allow you to catch problems before they escalate into something big, and you’ll manage to save yourself a lot of money and stress in the long run. Don’t know when was the last time you took your car for an oil change? Don’t worry, a lot of people have trouble remembering their maintenance schedule. The best way is to set reminders on your phone for yourself so that you’ll be notified of when to take your car for maintenance, and you’ll never forget.
2. Keep an Eye on Your Battery
Most people think that checking battery strength is something that only a mechanic using special tools can do. However, there are many ways you can check the battery level of your car. The most obvious method is to look at the display or dash of your vehicle, as most recent cars will alert you when your battery levels are low.
Another way to check the battery is to leave the car on idle, turn on the headlights, and start the engine to check if they end up getting brighter. If they do turn bright, it’s a sign that your battery is on low power.
3. Regularly Check the Coolant and Oil Levels
One of the main reasons a car breaks down when you’re driving is because you’ve not checked the fluid levels in the car to ensure that they’re adequate. It’s a check that only requires a couple of seconds and can be performed easily. You should be checking the oil and coolant levels once every month to be on the safe side.
4. Check the Fan Belt
Most fan belts have a standard life of around 60,000 to 90,000 miles, and if they snap your car is going to stop moving and you’ll be stuck on the side of the road. It’s recommended that you should check the fan belt once every 6 months to check its condition. You should check it more often if you drive a lot.
5. Listen to Your Gut
If you get a strange feeling that tells you something is wrong with your car, you should trust it. Whether it is a strange noise or an odd sensation, you shouldn’t ignore your gut when it comes to your car. Getting your car checked regularly takes a lot of money, but you’re better off being safe instead of sorry if you don’t want your car to break down.
