Fastlane Autocare - The FastFit Centre, an RAC approved garage that offers a range of car repairs and services in Merseyside and the North West.
Top 5 Reasons Cars Break Down and How to Avoid Them
Car breakdowns are never fun, but they can be especially frustrating and costly if they happen at the wrong time or place. That’s why it’s important to know the common causes of car breakdowns and how to prevent them. In this blog post, we’ll share with you the top 5 reasons cars break down and how Fastlane Autocare - The FastFit Centre can help you keep your car in tip-top condition. We are RAC Approved and AA Approved and can deal with any vehicle repair in the North West or the St Helens, Merseyside area. We can also arrange recovery.
Flat or Faulty Battery
The battery is the heart of your car’s electrical system, powering the starter motor, the lights, the radio, and more. If your battery is flat or faulty, you won’t be able to start your car or use any of its features. A flat battery can be caused by leaving the lights on when the engine is off, making short journeys that don’t allow the battery to recharge, or having a poor electrical connection. A faulty battery can be due to old age, damage, or a problem with the alternator that prevents it from charging properly.
How to avoid a flat or faulty battery
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Don’t forget to switch off everything as you leave the car. Most modern cars have a warning sound if you leave the lights on, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
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If you don’t make long journeys often, charge your battery overnight every two weeks or so. You can use a battery maintainer that plugs into a wall socket and keeps your battery at optimal level.
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When your car is serviced, ask the mechanic to check the battery connections and terminals for corrosion or looseness. Also, replace your battery before it reaches its expiry date, usually 3 to 5 years.
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If you suspect a problem with your alternator, get it checked and fixed as soon as possible. A faulty alternator can drain your battery and damage other electrical components.
How Fastlane Autocare - The FastFit Centre can help
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If you have a flat battery, we can come to you wherever you are and jump-start your car or replace your battery if needed. We have batteries and chargers for all makes and models of vehicles.
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If you have a faulty battery or alternator, we can test them using our advanced diagnostic equipment and replace them with quality parts at competitive prices. We are an RAC approved garage that follows strict quality standards and offers a guarantee on all our work.
Damaged Tyres and Wheels
Your tyres and wheels are the only parts of your car that touch the road, so they need to be in good shape to ensure a safe and smooth ride. Punctures, blowouts, cracks, bulges, and uneven wear can all cause tyre and wheel damage that can lead to a breakdown or an accident. Tyre and wheel damage can be caused by hitting a kerb or pothole, running over a sharp object like a nail or screw, driving with low or high tyre pressure, or having misaligned wheels.
How to avoid damaged tyres and wheels
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Check your tyre pressure and tread depth regularly and adjust them according to your car’s manual. You should also check for any signs of damage like cuts, cracks, bulges, or nails. A tyre pressure warning light on your dashboard means you need to inflate your tyres as soon as possible.
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Always carry a spare tyre (full size or space saver) or an emergency puncture repair kit in your car. A puncture repair kit contains a foam that re-inflates the tyre and seals the hole temporarily until you can get to a garage.
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Avoid driving over potholes, kerbs, or debris on the road. If you do hit something hard, stop and inspect your tyres and wheels for any damage. If you notice any vibration, steering pull, or uneven wear on your tyres, get your wheels aligned by a professional.
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Replace your tyres when they reach the legal minimum tread depth of 1.6 mm or when they show signs of ageing like cracks or splits.
How Fastlane Autocare - The FastFit Centre can help
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If you have a flat tyre or wheel damage, we can come to you wherever you are and fix it on the spot or tow your car to our garage if needed. We have tyres and wheels for all makes and models of vehicles at affordable prices.
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If you need new tyres or wheel alignment, we can offer you a great range of branded tyres at competitive prices and perform wheel alignment using our state-of-the-art equipment. We also offer free tyre checks and advice on how to maintain your tyres and wheels.
Engine and Exhaust Problems
Your engine and exhaust system are the core of your car’s performance, power, and efficiency. They also affect your car’s emissions and environmental impact. If your engine or exhaust system has a problem, you may notice symptoms like loss of power, overheating, smoke, noise, or warning lights on your dashboard. Engine and exhaust problems can be caused by a variety of factors, such as
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A blown head gasket that allows coolant to leak into the engine and cause overheating and damage
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A broken timing belt that can cause the engine to stop working and damage the valves and pistons
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A faulty oil pump that can cause low oil pressure and damage the engine components
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A worn or damaged spark plug that can cause misfires and poor fuel economy
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A faulty fuel or ignition system that can cause poor performance and increased emissions
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A clogged or leaking catalytic converter that can reduce the efficiency of the exhaust system and increase the pollutant gases
How to avoid engine and exhaust problems
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Follow your car’s service schedule and get your engine and exhaust system checked and serviced regularly by a qualified mechanic. This will help you detect and prevent any potential problems before they become serious and costly.
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Check your oil level and quality regularly and change it according to your car’s manual. You should also check your coolant level and top it up if needed. If you notice any leaks, smoke, or unusual smells from your engine or exhaust, get it checked as soon as possible.
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Use the right type and quality of fuel for your car and avoid running out of fuel or using contaminated fuel. If you accidentally put the wrong fuel in your car, don’t start the engine and call for help immediately.
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Drive smoothly and avoid sudden acceleration or braking that can put stress on your engine and exhaust system. You should also avoid driving in extreme temperatures or conditions that can affect your car’s performance.
How Fastlane Autocare - The FastFit Centre can help
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If you have an engine or exhaust problem, we can diagnose it using our latest software and technology and fix it using quality parts at competitive prices. We can handle any type of engine or exhaust problem, from minor repairs to major overhauls.
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If you need an engine or exhaust service, we can offer you a comprehensive service that includes oil and filter change, spark plug replacement, fuel system cleaning, catalytic converter check, and more. We follow the manufacturer’s specifications and use only approved parts and fluids.
Electrical Problems
Your car’s electrical system controls many functions and features of your car, such as the lights, windows, locks, radio, dashboard, air conditioning, and more. If your electrical system has a problem, you may experience symptoms like flickering lights, dead battery, non-working features, or warning lights on your dashboard. Electrical problems can be caused by a variety of factors, such as
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A loose or corroded wire or fuse that can cause a short circuit or a power loss
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A faulty switch or relay that can prevent a feature from working properly
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A damaged or worn-out component that can affect the performance or safety of your car
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A faulty sensor that can send wrong signals to your car’s computer (the electronic control unit or ECU) and trigger a warning light
How to avoid electrical problems
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Check your lights regularly and replace any bulbs that are not working. You should also check your fuses and replace any that are blown. If you notice any sparks, smoke, or burning smells from your electrical system, turn off your car and call for help immediately.
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Avoid using too many electrical features at once or leaving them on when the engine is off. This can drain your battery and overload your electrical system. You should also avoid spilling liquids on any electrical components or wires.
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When your car is serviced, ask the mechanic to check your electrical system for any signs of wear or damage. You should also get any warning lights checked and cleared by a professional as soon as possible.
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If you want to install any aftermarket electrical accessories like a dash cam or a stereo system, make sure they are compatible with your car’s electrical system and installed by a qualified technician.
How Fastlane Autocare - The FastFit Centre can help
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If you have an electrical problem, we can find it using our advanced diagnostic equipment and fix it using quality parts at competitive prices. We can handle any type of electrical problem, from simple repairs to complex rewiring.
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If you need an electrical service, we can offer you a thorough service that includes checking and testing all the electrical components and features of your car, such as the battery, alternator, starter motor, lights, windows, locks, radio, dashboard, air conditioning, sensors, etc.
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If you want to install any electrical accessories like a dash cam or a stereo system, we can supply and fit them for you using our expertise and experience. We are a leading stockist of dash cam technology in Merseyside.
Fastlane Autocare - The FastFit Centre is a vehicle repair centre based in St Helens, Merseyside, that offers a wide range of services for all makes and models of cars, vans, and trucks. Some of the other services we offer are
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Commercial vehicle repairs - We offer commercial vehicle repairs 6 days a week, and with an emergency 24/7 call-out service, We are your answer to all fleet and commercial repairs in Merseyside and the North West.
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The tyre bay - We offer a great range of tyres at affordable prices and can fit them for you on the spot or at your convenience in our Tyre Bay in St Helens, Merseyside. They also offer free tyre checks and advice on how to maintain your tyres and wheels. If you are stranded, we offer a mobile tyre fitting service that covers the entire North West area.
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The shop - We have an online car accessories store where you can shop for car care accessories such as oils, cleaning products, air fresheners, and exterior protection. You can also visit their physical store for more products and services.
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Caravan repairs - We have a wide range of caravan servicing and repair options available, including habitation checks, electrical installations, gas safety checks, damp testing, and more. We are your one-stop caravan shop and repair specialist in Merseyside.
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Dash cams - We can supply and fit a range of dash cams for your car. You can book this service online by clicking here. We are a leading stockist of dash cam technology in Merseyside and the North West as well as St Helens and can help you choose the best dash cam for your needs.
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Car diagnostics - We can perform car diagnostics using the latest software and technology to identify and fix any problems with your car’s engine, fuel system, ignition system, sensors, etc. We also offer a carbon cleaning service that can improve your car’s performance and efficiency. You can book a car diagnostics online by clicking here. Booking online takes less than 3 minutes!
Fastlane Autocare - The FastFit Centre is an RAC approved garage that follows strict quality standards and offers a guarantee on all their work. They are your reliable and friendly car repair partner in Merseyside.
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