Owning a car is not a luxury – it’s a pure necessity for millions of families in Nigeria. Unfortunately, even the most reliable cars can sometimes go out of order, but with a bit of knowledge, you can save money on going to a mechanic every time your car is malfunctioning. Here 7 most common car problems and their solutions.
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1. Uneven tyre wearing
Even when you replace all four tyres on your car, they can still wear out unevenly. If you are noticing the pattern on the tyres being differently worn on different sides, or if you are feeling a vibration when steering, it can mean you need to take immediate action.
Solution: Take your car to a service to get your tyres balanced and rotate your tyres regularly to prevent this problem in the future.
Read more: Best Tyres For Nigerian Roads: Premium Brands & Buyer’s Guide
2. Dead battery
A dead car battery can be very frustrating, especially if you are stuck in the middle of nowhere with a car that won’t move. A dead battery can be caused by a number of factors, including a malfunctioning alternator, as well as be the result of natural wear.
Solution: To prevent this issue in the future, replace your battery every three years or 80,000 kilometres. You should also keep jumper cables in your car at all times and then simply find a donor battery to charge your battery for a few minutes.
3. Failed starter
When you have somewhere urgent to be, a failed car starter is the last thing you want to happen. The starter is a deceptively simple but actually a very sensitive detail in your car. It commonly malfunctions due to corrosion and extensive wear.
Solution: Ideally, the starter should be regularly checked by a professional mechanic to remove the corrosion and properly lubricate the starter components to ensure normal functioning.
4. Increased fuel consumption
Fuel economy is one of the most important features of a car – not only for financial reasons, but also for the sake of the environment. If you notice your car is consuming more fuel than needed, it is probably due to an old and worn fuel or air filter, or malfunctioning sensors.
Solution: Replace the fuel and air filters at the scheduled maintenance or as soon as you are noticing fuel consumption to go up. If that doesn’t help, have the sensors checked by a mechanic.
Read more: Cars With Low Fuel Consumption In Nigeria
5. Problems with automatic transmission
The automatic transmission is one of the greatest car innovations in history that makes life easier for millions of drivers. However, it can be also prone to some specific problems. The transmission slipping or becoming noticeably less smooth are the most common issues.
Solution: Many automatic transmission problems are caused by clogged or damaged components within the system, which is why it needs to be regularly serviced by a mechanic.
6. Failed radiator
The car radiator maintains a normal temperature of the engine and allows it to travel long distances without overheating. If the radiator stops working properly, it can lead to an engine failure and possibly the car even catching fire. Always monitor the temperature gauge on your dashboard.
Solution: If you are stranded on the road with a malfunctioning radiator, open all windows in your car and turn on the heater in fresh air mode. The heat from the engine will be sent to the cabin and the radiator will cool down enough to give you a few more kilometres until the nearest mechanic.
7. Squealing brakes
Hearing a squealing sound when you engage the brakes can be unpleasant, but it’s also quite dangerous for your car. The most common problem of squealing brakes is worn out brake pads.
Solution: When you hear squealing brakes in your car, your first decision should be to replace brake pads, which you can even do on your own if you have some experience.
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