If you have had your car for a while now, you may believe that it is a reliable and great vehicle to keep around, but you might also be worrying about which parts in your car are most likely to break down. Nothing can ruin family time together on a road trip like suddenly having car trouble, and that dreaded ‘check engine’ light flashing on your dashboard is a sure way to stop a summer getaway in its tracks. If you want to make sure that your car is prepared and ready to go whenever you have a trip or vacation in mind, then the first thing you should do is make yourself aware of which parts are most likely to break down, and how you can avoid problems.
Evaporative Leak
Typically, evaporative emissions from your care are caused by volatility within fuel, or its tendency to change states between liquid and gas. A rise in the temperature outside during summer could cause sudden pressure within your gas tank, and this must be vented if you want to prevent the gas tank from deforming. Usually, this pressure is vented from your gas tank into a charcoal canister located somewhere on your vehicle, this canister absorbs the fuel vapour and stores it until the engine restarts and the vapours can be removed from the car entirely. This evaporation system consists of a network of valves, hoses and canisters that manage the emissions within your vehicle. Today, a vehicle must detect a leak that is any more than 0.02 inches in diameter, and if this leak is detected, you will see your check engine light flashing. However, if your vehicle is older than most, you may end up with a cracked hose that could result in a fuel leak.
Engine Surge or Hesitation
This problem may take case for a variety of reasons. For example, you may have a dirty air filter, which could cause your engine to have to work much harder, causing problems with your driving. In extremely high humidity and heat, vehicles become more prone to problems with the re-circulation of exhaust gas, and this sends a portion of the exhaust back through the engine to reduce emissions. In heat, this flow can build up and increase, causing blockages. If you do not fix this problem immediately, it can lead to extremely expensive repairs, so if you are getting ready for a trip it is always a good idea to make sure that your air filter is clean.
Overheating
Usually, the most common reasons for cars and trucks to overheat come from a fault with the cooling system or a low fluid level within the vehicle. During the hotter months of summer, for example, your vehicle is forced to work much harder to prevent the engine from over-heating, so it is a good idea to keep an eye on your car’s fluid, such as the engine coolant, automatic transmission fluid, washer fluid, engine oil and brake fluid as regularly as possible.
At AAMCO Colorado, we love older vehicles as much as you do. But we also want your vehicle to drive in a safe and properly operating condition. If you live in Colorado, and need a Transmission Service, Radiator Repair, Brake Repair, or any other Auto Repair, please contact your local AAMCO Colorado Locationto schedule an appointment.
Joshua Wood is a motoring blogger. He likes to research online at www.powerbulbs.com.