Regardless of whether your car is brand new or second-hand, there’s always a chance of it breaking down. You’d be lucky if you find an emergency roadside assistance if this happens to you; if you don’t, you’ll have to deal with the problem all on your own.

What if a breakdown occurs when you’re all dressed up and running late for a report or presentation? Singapore might not be a very big place, but what if you happen to get stuck at an area you’re unfamiliar with in the middle of the night? To avoid such circumstances, here are the top reasons why cars break down and what you can do to reduce the chances of it happening to you.

Electrical Fault

As cars become more complex, electrical faults becomes a more common cause of car breakdown. If this happens, there’s really not much you can do to change the situation. The best way to prevent this is to bring your vehicle to a car repair shop for a check-up the moment you start noticing signs that your car might be having some problem. If you experience difficulty starting your car, for example, have it examined by a car mechanic right away. Do not wait until your car completely breaks down.

Transmission Problems

While transmissions in modern cars are more reliable, they are not 100% bulletproof. Most car owners fail to have their transmissions maintained and components adjusted regularly. Car maintenance is always important in order to avoid tension and wear and tear of the car transmission, which can lead to sudden failure and more expensive repair costs.

Engine Overheat

Does your car often overheat? This can be really frustrating to diagnose and deal with as there are a lot of possible causes of engine overheat, including a stuck thermostat, leakage in the cooling system, faulty water pump, clogged radiator, and a bad cooling fan. While overheating can be temporarily remedied, it’s not advisable to always rely on temporary solution. Take it to a professional Singapore mechanic and have your engine checked and fixed as soon as possible.

Engine Lubrication Failure

Engines need oil to reduce friction and allow its parts to move smoothly. Oil is the means by which the bearing, the rod and the pistons are cooled. Therefore, lack of oil flow can make these parts run hot, seize and gall. As soon as you suspect any problem caused by oil shortage, check using the dip stick to see how much oil is left in the pan.

Low or Dead Battery

If you don’t have a car battery charger at hand, you best course of action is to call for roadside assistance. Loss of power caused by frequent short drives is a common cause for dead batteries. To avoid your car battery from running empty, take your car on a longer drive at least once a week. If this is impossible, charge the battery overnight, assuming you have battery charger.

Flat Tire

One of the most common reasons of delayed road trips are flat tires, which can be caused by worn-down material or over-inflation, especially during hot weather due to increased air pressure from the heat. Although newer car models have tire-pressure monitoring systems, there are still a lot of cars that don’t have a built-in system to check this problem. A simple tire gauge will do the trick though if you need to add or release air in the tires.

Suspension Problems

More than just a simple flat tire, problems with the car suspension are actually the most disabling mechanical problem there is. For most people, it is an engine problem that can make a car become completely disabled. However, suspension problems are much more difficult to repair than that. If your car can’t roll, then it definitely won’t be going anywhere. If you can’t seem to fix the problem by yourself, have it checked by a professional car servicing expert.

Alternator Fault

The battery powers your car’s electrical components, such as the windscreen wipers, light and the sound system, but it’s the alternator that uses the energy from the engine to keep your car’s battery charged. If the alternator fails, your battery will run out of power even if it is brand new. Make sure to include checking this part during a regular car servicing check-up.

Spark Plugs

Corroded or faulty spark plugs can cause starting problems or a misfiring engine. Have your spark plugs changed at least once every 30,000 miles. If you’re having trouble starting your car, your engine doesn’t idle smoothly, you notice a decrease in acceleration, or your fuel consumption has increased, it’s time to bring your car to a car repair shop and have it checked.

Fuel Issues

At least once in their life, a driver makes what is probably the most humiliating automotive mistake—filling up with the wrong type of fuel. The only thing you can do here is to call a roadside assistance and never attempt to start the engine. If you do, you will damage your car engine, which will surely cost you thousands of dollars to have it fixed. Many newer car models have misfiling prevention devices, but if yours doesn’t, you can purchase one.

Brake Trouble

Nothing is more dangerous in driving than having problems with brake controls. Be sure to get your rotors and brake pads checked about two times a year, and have your brake fluid changed every two to three years, depending on the recommendations indicated in the user’s manual. If you hear grinding or squeaking noises when you use the brakes or the brake pedal feels too soft, bring your vehicle to a car repair company.

Car breakdowns, unfortunately, happens in the most inconvenient times. To avoid delays especially during important days, make sure your car is perfectly in tune all the time by having it regularly checked by a car maintenance expert.