When a warning light comes on on the dashboard, the driver may feel real fear. Sometimes, it may just be a maintenance reminder or a simple notice to check fluid levels or tire inflation, in other cases it may mean that there is a more serious breakdown. Norauto wanted to list some of the breakdowns that can cause real fear to drivers. These are the main and most feared ones.
Gearbox
Whether manual or automatic, a fault of the gearbox means having to leave the vehicle for a long time in the workshop. Besides, entails a higher economic cost and, therefore, it can be said that it is one of the most feared breakdowns. It is usually more expensive in automatic cars. Among the symptoms that something is wrong, hearing a metallic noise when accelerating, a grinding or difficulty shifting into gear, having trouble finding neutral or having to apply a lot of force, They are some of the most repeated. Other symptoms may include feeling vibrations when driving, a burning smell or even loss of power.
Turbo
Its function is to supercharge the engine so that it has greater performance by sending more oxygen, which mixed with the fuel, achieves greater power. It is recommended to warm up the engine gradually, keeping the vehicle at idle, starting and waiting a few seconds before starting to drive. This same The reverse should be done before turning off the car: When parking the vehicle, wait for a few seconds and turn off the engine when driving, especially in diesel models. It is also advisable to do some gentle driving before reaching your destination.
Flywheel and clutch
If the flywheel has to be changed, the clutch must also be changed. Manufacturers recommend doing it at the same time because the two systems are closely linked and work together.
Transfer box or ‘transfer’ in 4x4s
Most of the malfunctions associated with this function They are due to poor maintenance, not having replaced all 4 tires at the same time (this ends up breaking the transfer when the vehicle has permanent 4-wheel drive) or to a misuse of the drive mechanism. Symptoms include abnormal noises, difficulty changing between traction modes or feeling vibrations while driving.
Injectors
They are essential for engine combustion. Specifically, They are responsible for pulverizing the fuel in the combustion chamber. It is a fault that It usually arises when the fuel filter is not replaced periodically or when low-quality fuel is used.
Crankshaft
It is the base component on which the combustion engine is built. Generally, A crankshaft failure can be catastrophic for the engine, with the costs that entails. Sometimes it may involve changing the seal, a part that is not excessively expensive but is difficult to access so It usually requires long hours of work in the workshop and the price is usually high.
engine block
Problems may arise when the oil or coolant is not changed properly, as well as sudden acceleration with the engine still cold. Repair usually requires long hours in the workshop.
Butt
One of the main warning signs is increase in temperature above the operating temperature or appearance of white smoke from the exhaust pipe, which means that it is water entering the combustion chambers, mixing of engine oil with cooling water among other causes. Among the reasons we find the existence of cracks or damage in the cylinder head or problems in the cooling system. With a high price, It is usually necessary to spend more than 12 hours in the workshop and, of course, always put yourself in the hands of a specialist.
Particle filter
Its main function is to trap polluting particles from combustion and reduce emissions. The car usually warns that something is wrong with the particulate filter if the filter light on the dashboard or the engine light comes on.
Air conditioning (compressor and evaporator)
It is recommended to activate the air conditioning or climate control frequently and not use it only in summer. Defogging the windows in winter can be a good way to use it.
Hybrids and electric cars are not immune to breakdowns
The vehicles hybrids They share many elements with those of combustion and, therefore, They can have the same faults as these cars, in addition to more specific problems with the battery. In the case of the electricalthe traction battery is, by far, the element whose failure can be the most complex and expensive.
It should be noted that Manufacturers usually offer a warranty of around 8 years or 160,000 kilometers. From this moment on, its storage capacity may be reduced and its components may deteriorate. It is recommended to avoid fast charging, since they reduce battery life. Furthermore, it is advisable not to wait for the battery to discharge completely, nor to charge it regularly up to 100%. It is recommended, according to most manufacturers, to always have it between 20 and 80%; That is to say, if we follow that advice we lose 40% of an already scarce autonomy.
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