Across the US there are around 69 million vehicle breakdowns each year.

There are countless car problems that a driver can experience, and more often than not these problems can lead to much larger issues if left unchecked. The best way to keep your car running is to know the signs of these issues, and how to fix them.

For a rundown of 5 of the most common vehicle problems and what to do about them, keep reading.

1. Warning Lights

Many vehicle issues can make your warning lights come on. The check engine light is one of the most common which happens when the ECU (engine control unit) detects an error code from a sensor.

There are hundreds of possible warning codes in a standard car, so finding the source isn’t easy. You should have a professional mechanic look at the car to diagnose the problem and figure out what to do about it.

2. Flat Tires

You can get one or more flat tires at any time from accidentally hitting an object or driving over something sharp in the road. Even standard wear and tear can cause this, so it is important to have your tires properly rotated and checked whenever you get your car serviced.

Most cars have a spare tire in case of an emergency, but sometimes you may require roadside assistance to get going again.

3. Sputtering Engine

This can happen when the air/fuel mix in the combustion chamber is off. There are several components in this system, so sputtering could be caused by any of them failing.

When this happens you should see a mechanic for professional vehicle repair. Any components that are replaced should be done so as suggested by the manufacturer of your vehicle.

4. Dead Battery

On average a car battery will last for about 50,000 miles or three years. After a while, the amps will naturally drop so the battery will have a harder time maintaining a charge. Faulty components such as the alternator or battery temperature sensor can make this happen quicker.

Even if you don’t see any signs of degradation, you should change your battery every three years or 50,000 miles. When you get a car service they should test your battery so you will know if it is failing faster than expected.

5. Bad Fuel Economy

Several parts of a vehicle can fail resulting in poor fuel economy. This could be things such as :

  • Air filters
  • Fuel filters
  • Mass airflow sensors
  • O2 sensors

These all degrade with time, and as such your fuel economy will inevitably get worse. A poor fuel economy is bad for your engine and will result in you having to spend more money on gas. Car issues such as this can usually be avoided by having your car regularly serviced.

Dealing With Car Problems

Most car problems can be avoided with preventative measures. This means taking care of your vehicle and having it serviced regularly. If you do notice any issues have them looked at by a professional as soon as possible as these could grow into larger problems.

If you’re interested in more automotive articles, check out some of our other blog posts.