5 Tips to Avoid Breakdowns

Hoist Towing & Recovery sees this all the time and we want to offer you a few tips to help you avoid breakdowns. You’re driving down the road on a beautiful Saturday afternoon when all of a sudden the car makes a terrible clanking and clunking sound, smoke comes out from under the hood, and your car slowly rolls to a stop on the side of the road. You get out of your car, open the hood, and stare blankly at the engine. Your stomach drops because you know this means costly repairs or having to replace your car, and your day is completely ruined.

Regularly Service Your Vehicle

You have probably heard it a million times, but keeping the oil topped off in your vehicle is one of the best things you can do for the longevity of your car. It allows all of the parts of your vehicle to move properly, and it stops heat and friction buildup.

Changing your vehicle’s motor oil at regular intervals isn’t just a good idea — it’s essential to ensure the long-term health of your engine. Oil becomes less effective as it ages, so it needs to be changed regularly to ensure it’s doing its job properly.

Have Your Brakes Checked

Your brakes should be checked at least every 25,000 to 60,000 miles depending on driving conditions but the best way to remember is to ask to have them checked every time you get your tires rotated. Hearing that you have to spend a few hundred dollars to replace your brakes is never pleasant. But it is important to listen to the advice of professionals and avoid breakdowns. They will keep your car running for a long time. If you are concerned you aren’t getting a fair price, get quotes from several mechanics.

Check your Tire Pressure

Periodically checking your tire pressure gives you more mileage from your engine, while keeping stress away from it. Under-inflated tires will require more energy to move, leading to lesser fuel efficiency and engine stress. Correctly-inflated tires will grip the road surface better than either under- or over-inflated, leading to better control of the vehicle. A higher-than-specified tire pressure can be a hazard, since on long drives, the air inside may heat up and expand. This can lead to dangerous blowouts. Also with under inflated tires, the surface contact area decreases dramatically and handling on wet surfaces becomes a major issue. For more info check out our Tire Safety Tips.

Drive Properly

How you drive has a direct effect on the lifespan of your car. Do not accelerate or stop quickly. This makes your engine and brakes work harder than they need to, and wears them down faster.

If you have a manual gearbox, riding the clutch will wear down the bearings which keep your clutch working.

Avoid revving your engine in cold weather, as the rapid temperature changes can damage internal components and can lead to unexpected breakdowns.

Don’t Ignore Warning Signs

Everyone wants to avoid breakdowns. Many times, your car will let you know before it is about to breakdown. If you hear any unusual noises or if your car starts to feel “weird”, you should have it checked out by a professional. Most importantly, when warning lights come on, it’s time to see the mechanic.

Vehicle breakdowns can occur unexpectedly and for various reasons, yet a significant number of them can be avoided by implementing these straightforward measures. When traveling, take extra steps to prepare. If your vehicle does breakdown, you can call Hoist Towing & Recovery, at (928)-660-0606 for emergency roadside service. We cover a wide range of areas in Northern Arizona, such as Prescott, Chino, Mayer, Crown King and more.