While cars are prone to unexpected breakdowns on occasion, it is possible to prepare for these events and to take steps which will assist your car to keep running without letting you down when you need it most. 

Reduce the risks of having your car breakdown by taking some time to provide you car with some regular maintenance and checkups, just as you would take care of a family member or beloved pet.

The best ways to prevent breakdowns is to have your car serviced regularly, or as often as the manufacturer recommends.

Otherwise, keep an eye on the petrol, a major reason for breakdown callouts is simply that the driver has not noticed the petrol gauge showing empty and has simply run out midway in his journey.

Keeping your tyres in good condition and at the right pressure will prevent a blowout, which can be very dangerous when travelling at high speeds on the motorway. 

If your car starts to make a ‘funny noise’ or emit smoke or sparks or anything untoward happens, pull over and have a look. Have a mechanic take a look as soon as possible too.

Keep your fluids topped up; running out of oil or water is more harmful to the engine than running out of fuel.

Carry a spare tyre, some vital tools, a bottle of water and some extra oil in your car. Speak to your mechanic about what else you can carry in your car which may get you out of a breakdown situation, such as spare fuses or a set of jumper leads.

Breakdown cover is also a good idea, in case you find yourself with a breakdown which you cannot fix yourself. Most car insurance providers offer this at a small extra cost, while other companies specialise in breakdown cover. Look around for a good deal. 

Please note that Green Flag does not control and cannot guarantee the relevance, timeliness, or accuracy of the article above. 

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You need your vehicle for travel, for business, for shopping, to get to work and back, to pick up the kids and to go on holiday, so you would want your car to be as reliable as possible. 

So how can you trust that your car will be there for you when you need it most? Well, you can’t really, which is why so many people invest in breakdown cover. But you can take steps to help your vehicle become as dependable as possible. 

The major factors here are servicing, fluids, tyres and maintenance. Service your vehicle as often as the manufacturer recommends, or more frequently if it is in constant use. Find a reputable mechanic and stick to him, he will learn your car over time and be able to offer the best advice. 

Keep your cars fluids topped up. Running out of oil or water can cause major damage, so keep an eye on these gauges and check your fluids containers often. Drain and fill with clean fluids whenever the manufacturer recommends this as well, this will keep your engine in good shape. 

A blowout is horrible for all concerned, so keep an eye on your tyres and their pressure. An overinflated tyre may blow out from strain, while an underinflated tyre creates drag which consumes more fuel. If the thread is too shallow then replace the tyres, as slippery tyres are also a major cause of accidents, especially in wet weather. 

Maintain your car as best you can, wash it regularly to prevent pollution and salt build-up which leads to rust, and polish it to protect the paint. Check the windscreen for chips and have any repaired immediately. If you are still concerned about a break down then consider taking out a breakdown cover policy, which will see that someone is sent out to you immediately in the event of a car break down.

Please note that Green Flag does not control and cannot guarantee the relevance, timeliness, or accuracy of the article above. 

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Car maintenance should be at the top of your to-do list, as a little effort can save you time, money and unnecessary breakdowns. Breakdowns can occur when the fluids in your car run out, dry up or become dirty. Checking these fluids regularly means following the manufacturer’s advice on when and how to replace and top up these fluids. 

There are six main fluids which need to be topped up and clean to keep your car in optimal condition. These are windscreen washer fluid, brake fluid, engine oil, power steering fluid, transmission fluid and radiator, engine coolant and antifreeze. 

Your car manual will explain and list the location of these fluids containers.

Windscreen washer fluid must be topped up with water and cleaning agent, which stops the water freezing in the winter. Dish washing liquid can leave a film on the windscreen, so avoid cheating this way. Did you know that an empty washer container can cost you points off your licence?

Check brake fluid every six months and fill it immediately if levels are looking low. 

Engine oil should be changed every three months or so, but check the manufacturers recommendations. Check this often and always before long car trips. 

Many vehicle manufacturers suggest changing transmission fluid every 15,000-30,000 miles.

Low power steering fluid can mean the complete loss of power steering and a difficult to turn steering wheel so make sure that this is properly filled. 

Keep an eye on the gauges for engine temperature and check levels of radiator, engine coolant and antifreeze regularly. Add a trusted brand of antifreeze to your radiator just before winter. 

Breakdowns are caused by many other factors too, but keeping these fluids in check means a much smaller risk of breaking down. It’s a good idea to have a breakdown cover policy though. Having breakdown cover means you will be assisted should your car break down despite your best efforts at car maintenance. 

Please note that Green Flag does not control and cannot guarantee the relevance, timeliness, or accuracy of the article above. 

http://www.greenflag.com/