It's one of the scariest situations a driver can face: you're driving along the road and suddenly your car breaks down. Whether it's a sudden engine problem, such as a Overheated engine, an electrical fault or another technical defect, such an unexpected event can lead to panic. However, it is important to remain calm and follow the correct steps to keep yourself and others safe. In this article, we will therefore delve deeper into the question: your car breaks down while driving, what should you do?
Car cuts out while driving: possible causes
When your car suddenly switches off while driving, it can have more than one cause. Below, we have briefly listed the most common causes:
- The alternator is broken: the alternator supplies power to the car's components.
- Damaged timing beltIf the timing belt is the cause, you'll see your warning light come on.
- High-pressure pump is kaput: when your car's engine has direct injection, the built-in high-pressure pump can break.
- The particulate filter is clogged: the particulate filter absorbs soot particles from the exhaust gases. When you have more than 100,000 kilometres on the odometer, that filter can become clogged.
- Fault in sensor: In modern vehicles, the sensor helps to mix fuel. If a sensor is not working correctly, you get an incorrect mixture which causes the engine to stop.
- The fuel pump is broken: this pump ensures the correct amount of fuel in the engine. In short, if the fuel pump is broken, the wrong amount of fuel will be injected into your engine, and the engine will stop.
The car cuts out while driving, but restarts.
It is also possible for your car's rev counter to completely drop to 0 at a constant speed. After the car stalls while driving, it will restart after only a few seconds. It is best to take it to a mechanic with this problem, so that a measurement of the installation can be carried out for a proper diagnosis. However, this situation often occurs due to a poor connection. The poor connection is often found in the crankshaft position sensor.
Car cuts out while driving and won't start again
When your car breaks down while driving, the main thing is to get to the side of the road as quickly as possible so you are safe. Stay calm and steer your car safely to the edge of the road. You can warn other drivers by turning on your hazard lights. When you are on the side of the road, the first thing you should do is check the engine oil level. If the engine starts making strange noises or there is no oil left in the engine, do not restart the car. Call a mechanic and, if necessary, place a reflective triangle around your car for visibility.
Rental car breaks down while driving, what now?
When your rental car breaks down suddenly while driving, the rules are essentially the same as with your own car. It is important to remain calm and prioritise your safety. If possible, try to steer the vehicle to a safe location, such as the hard shoulder or a car park. Switch on your hazard lights to warn other road users. Then, immediately contact the rental company to inform them of the problem and request assistance. Most rental companies have a breakdown service that can arrive quickly to help you. Make sure you have all relevant documents to hand, such as the rental agreement and the rental company's contact details. It is also important to know if the car insured for these kinds of emergencies, so that you are not faced with unexpected costs.
