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Serious Car Problems and What to Do About Them When On the Road

Discover eight serious car problems that can happen while on vacation on a road trip and what to do about them when it’s your car. Plus, why the age of your car can matter on what to do.
Solutions When Your Car Threatens to Break Down

The Road Trip from Hell

It’s something many of us have experienced at least once in our lives: a long road trip that went well enough for a week that turned into the road trip from hell when your vehicle breaks down at night, in the middle of the desert, with a whiny passenger who “...just wants to go home right now...and never ride with you and your stupid car again!”

Been there, done that, dodged the bullet on a potential bad marriage.

Related article: 10 Best SUVs and Minivans for Long Road Trip Fuel Economy

What to Do When Car Problems Start on the Road

It can be a dilemma. Your car is breaking down and you are trying to weigh your options on what to do:

  • Should I keep going and hope for the best?
  • What if help is only 3 miles away, can my car make it there and should I try?
  • When is the best recourse to call for help and hire a tow truck?

Related article: Towing Threat Reveals Problems within the Industry

These questions and more are answered by the host of the Car Wizard YouTube channel as he goes over 8 serious car problems that can happen to you while on the road and what your options are (including some tricks) regarding better choices to be made rather than mistakes you might be tempted to make when both your vehicle’s and your life may be at stake.

Serious Car Problems and What to Do

Follow along with the host as he discusses the following 8 potential problems that he has witnessed car owners out of town on a road trip experience that could easily turn into the road trip from hell that includes:

  1. Your battery warning light is “on”, and you think it might be a dead alternator.
  2. Your brakes are only “kind of working”, and you see a leak.
  3. You’ve lost your power steering.
  4. “My engine is overheating...but not totally.”
  5. The passenger side of the floorboard shows leaking coolant.
  6. Your oil pressure warning light is flickering.
  7. “My check engine has gone from ‘on’ to ‘flashing.’”
  8. The maintenance light or maintenance message appears on your dashboard screen.

And finally…

For additional articles related to fixing a problem with your car, here are three selected ones for your consideration and enjoyment:

Timothy Boyer is Torque News automotive reporter based in Cincinnati. Experienced with early car restorations, he regularly restores older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites for new and used vehicle news.

COMING UP NEXT: Dealer Sold Man Stolen Car Warning

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