Owning a car is often a necessity and there’s plenty of things that can go wrong. The costs involved with running a car can be substantially high, and that’s without taking into account the cost of potential repairs.
While some repairs can be done on a DIY basis, there are many common car maintenance issues which should only be left to a qualified mechanic. Here we’ll look at just some of these common maintenance issues and how they can be avoided.
Timing belt needs replacing
The majority of cars do end up needing a new timing belt after every 60,000 to 100,000 miles. It’s an expensive maintenance task, vital to the smooth running of the vehicle. Due to how much it costs to replace, it can be very tempting to try and do it yourself. However, experts warn you could end up causing potentially serious problems for the engine.
If you do manage to mess up the engine, it’s going to be a lot costlier than it would have been if a mechanic fit the timing belt in the first place.
Filling the car with the wrong fuel
It’s a rookie mistake, but it’s also incredibly easy to do. You pull up at the petrol station, automatically grab a pump and start to fill up, only to quickly realise you’ve just used the wrong type of fuel.
This type of mistake happens approximately every 3 seconds in the UK according to the RAC. So, why does it matter? Well, say you put petrol into a diesel car, it’s extremely important not to switch the engine on. Doing so would mix the fuels together and immediately start damaging the pump.
If you do find yourself in this position, you’ll need to have the fuel drained professionally.
Problems with the Alternator
Alternator faults are pretty common and they can be potentially serious. If you’ve noticed your headlights have dimmed and the battery is experiencing a lot of problems, it could be a sign your alternator is broken. You’ll need to contact a garage as soon as possible and have the problem looked at quickly as if left, it could be a serious danger hazard.
These are just some of the most common maintenance issues motorists experience. Most can be avoided however, by ensuring you undergo regular car services. It’s also a good idea to have the car looked over by a manufacturer specific mechanic such as Robins and Day.
Overall, regular maintenance can help to avoid most car issues, and if something does go wrong it’s extremely important to get the help of a professional mechanic, rather than trying to fix the problem yourself.
