What does car breakdown mean?
3 Answers
Car breakdown refers to a vehicle malfunction, mainly including brake failure, sudden tire blowout, and oil pan leakage. Brake failure: When driving downhill over long distances, many drivers tend to keep pressing the brake pedal continuously. The prolonged friction between the brake pads and brake discs (drums) generates high temperatures, leading to brake failure. Therefore, when descending a long slope, it is advisable to shift to a lower gear to slow down the vehicle instead of relying on the brakes for an extended period. If brake failure is suspected, immediately downshift while simultaneously using the handbrake to bring the car to a stop. Allow the brake pads and discs (drums) to cool naturally before resuming driving. Sudden tire blowout: If a front tire blows out at a speed of 80 km/h, avoid slamming on the brakes as this may cause the vehicle to overturn. Instead, firmly hold the steering wheel and apply the brakes gradually. Oil pan leakage: If the vehicle's undercarriage hits a rock while driving, always stop to check whether the oil pan (engine oil reservoir) is damaged and leaking. If this occurs, drive to the nearest repair shop as soon as possible. If no repair shop is nearby, continue driving while monitoring the oil warning light. When the oil light comes on, the vehicle must be stopped immediately to await assistance.
Breaking down means the car suddenly stops working on the road and can't move anymore. The term originally referred to ships dropping anchor to stop, and when used for cars, it means stalling in the middle of the road. Last week, I experienced it—the engine just shut off while driving, and later it was towed to the repair shop, where they found the alternator belt had snapped. Common causes also include running out of fuel, a dead battery, or engine overheating, especially in older cars with aging wiring, which are more prone to breaking down. Remember to turn on the hazard lights immediately, place a warning triangle at least 50 meters away, stand outside the guardrail, avoid lingering near the car, and quickly call for roadside assistance or contact your insurance company for a tow truck.
Breaking down actually means the car can't move and is stranded halfway. I've encountered this a few times, mostly due to minor issues that were overlooked: not refueling when the fuel was low, resulting in the fuel pump burning out from running dry; the radiator boiling over in summer traffic jams; or not replacing a battery that's been used for four years. Never push through when your car breaks down, as it can easily lead to rear-end collisions. On highways, move to the emergency lane; in the city, try to pull over as much as possible. While waiting for assistance, you can check your insurance—many policies include free towing services. Developing good habits like glancing at the dashboard warning lights before starting the engine and checking tires and coolant can help avoid such embarrassing situations.
