What Causes a Vehicle to Break Down?
4 Answers
Vehicle breakdowns are related to the battery, fuel pump, and transmission. The specific reasons are as follows: 1. Battery: Insufficient charge makes it difficult to start. If the battery voltage is too low, it cannot complete the normal ignition of the car. 2. Fuel pump: Burned wiring prevents fuel supply. If the fuel level is too low, exposing the fuel pump, it may overheat or even burn out the wiring. 3. Transmission: Coasting in neutral increases friction in the gear-shifting mechanism. Frequent coasting in neutral may cause the secondary shaft to seize. It can also lead to severe wear between the secondary shaft and the gear-shifting components, ultimately resulting in transmission failure.
After driving for over 20 years, what I hate most is breaking down halfway. There are four common causes. A dead battery is the most common, especially in winter or when you forget to turn off the lights. Once, when I went to pick up my child, the car wouldn’t start because the battery was old. The second issue is fuel system problems—using poor-quality gasoline or a faulty fuel pump can cause a complete shutdown. Then there’s the cooling system malfunction; if the radiator leaks or the fan stops working, the engine can easily overheat. Lastly, there’s oxidized or loose electrical connections, which are especially noticeable on rainy days. Preventive measures are simple: regularly maintain and check the battery’s lifespan, avoid small gas stations, check the dashboard warning lights before starting the car, and keep emergency tools in the trunk—it’s crucial.
Having worked in an auto repair shop for over a decade, I deal with towed-in breakdown vehicles daily. The most common issue is ignition system failure—carbon buildup on spark plugs or faulty ignition coils can cause the car to shake twice and stall. Fuel system problems are also frequent; a clogged fuel filter leads to insufficient fuel supply. I once had a customer whose car broke down on the highway due to long-term neglect of filter replacement. Belt failures are particularly dangerous—a snapped timing belt can instantly destroy the engine. Sensor malfunctions are tricky to diagnose; for example, a faulty crankshaft position sensor can mislead the ECU. My advice: check belt conditions monthly, replace spark plugs every 20,000 km, and never ignore dashboard warning lights.
Last week, my car broke down on the elevated highway, and the towing cost me 600 yuan. The most common causes of breakdowns are three things: battery issues account for 40%, especially with old batteries over five years old. Fuel system failures make up 30%, which could be due to running on empty and sucking up debris or a faulty fuel pump. Another 30% are caused by belt snapping or tire blowouts. I learned my lesson and now keep an emergency power source and tire repair fluid in the car. I also make sure to fill up the tank every time I refuel to avoid sucking up debris from the bottom. I test the battery voltage monthly, and if it's below 12 volts, I replace it right away instead of waiting for it to die completely and cause trouble.
