It is frustrating and potentially dangerous when your vehicle unexpectedly stalls or breaks down on a busy highway. Therefore, every motor vehicle owner should understand the most common causes of breakdowns and the best ways to prevent them.

Additionally, vehicle owners should have a reliable partner for car towing, which is the best way to stay safe and mobile.

Proactive maintenance involves routine inspections, regular servicing and other repairs. Its aim is early detection and correction of potential faults before they escalate to major faults and breakdowns.

Types of Vehicle Maintenance

Vehicle breakdown maintenance falls into four categories; preventive maintenance, routine maintenance, emergency repairs and overhauls.

Automobile owners carry out preventive maintenance before any breakdown occurs, ensuring the vehicle runs smoothly and avoiding major issues.

Preventive maintenance can take the form of scheduling regular oil changes and tyre rotations every 10,000 km, ensuring the vehicle performs optimally.

Routine maintenance occurs after minor faults appear but before they escalate to serious. Owners should schedule their cars for a service if they notice their brakes squeaking or if the car is sluggish. Early detection helps avoid costly repairs or the need for emergency car towing later on.

Emergency maintenance is necessary when car owners turn in their vehicles immediately after a breakdown.

When your car suddenly overheats on the Monash Freeway or refuses to start in the middle of traffic, you’ll require immediate help. Calling a car towing service like Fast Melbourne Towing to transport your vehicle for emergency repair is the correct action.

Repair crews perform an overhaul when the vehicle requires a full engine or transmission rebuild. The overhaul restores the vehicle to a reliable working condition and ensures long-term performance.

Is Preventive Maintenance better than Breakdown Maintenance?

Preventive maintenance serves a different purpose from breakdown maintenance. Preventive maintenance checks the issues before they happen, while breakdown maintenance deals with the issues after the vehicle has broken down.

Preventive maintenance is the wiser option for vehicle drivers because it ensures your vehicle remains roadworthy, reliable and you are less likely to need car towing.

Avoiding Problems before they occur

In preventive maintenance, vehicle owners take steps to keep their vehicles in good condition. As part of preventive maintenance, they regularly check engine fluids, inspect belts and hoses and ensure brakes and tyres are safe.

These small checks act as early warning signs before major faults can occur. For instance, spotting a coolant leak before summer prevents overheating on long drives, saving you from costly repairs. If this occurs on a major roadway, drivers have the option of calling for car towing services.

Safety and Reliability in Preventive Maintenance

Every small issue, if left unchecked, can snowball into a major fault. A small or broken part can trigger a serious set of problems, leading to major accidents. Therefore, routine maintenance is essential.

It should include checking under the hood, inspecting tyre pressure and performing fluid level checks. Resolving these minor issues before they become major ones is an essential part of preventive maintenance.

Preventive Maintenance Reduces Costs

A major benefit of Preventive maintenance is the reduced costs. For example, regular oil checks, every 3 months, means drivers don't have to replace the oil frequently. Regularly checking tyres prevents replacing worn out tyres.

Common Causes of Breakdowns

While prevention is better than cure, the Australian roadside Authority has compiled a list of the most common causes of breakdowns.

1. Understanding Battery failure

A vehicle's drained or defective battery remains the major cause of breakdowns. You can recognise a car battery running low or about to stall by sluggish engine cranking, a red battery-warning light on the dashboard or visible corrosion at the terminals.

Preventive maintenance includes checking battery health, especially if you are using your vehicle for short trips (which means the alternator may not fully recharge the battery) and ensuring you do not leave lights/accessories on overnight.

What Happens When an Electric Car Battery Runs Low?

A low battery on an electric vehicle (EV) reduces the car's range. To conserve energy some systems may also limit power.

Most EVs display warnings on the dashboard or infotainment system. It will show the available percentage or estimated kilometres of driving left. If the battery becomes critically low, the vehicle may reduce acceleration, disable non-essential features, eventually stopping and requiring a recharge.

An EV's diminished power may not cause it to stall, but it may still need car towing services near you.

2. Tyre Problems That Require Car Towing

Punctures, worn tread, kerb strikes and sidewall damage leaves drivers stranded. Unlike traditional tyres, drivers cannot replace run flats. They need professionals to repair run flat tyres, sometimes requiring car towing.

For vehicles with run-flat tyres, a puncture doesn’t always mean an immediate stop. Run-flats have reinforced sidewalls allowing drivers to continue driving for a limited distance, usually up to 80 km at reduced speeds. So, drivers can reach a safe location or a tyre service.

However, there are limitations to these tyres, such as they can be more expensive, harder to replace quickly and not all vehicles are compatible with them.

Regular tyre checks and maintenance remain the best way to prevent breakdowns, even with run-flat technology.

3. Overheating Engine and Coolant System Issues

Despite Melbourne's relatively cooler summers, overheated engines are a cause of breakdowns. Overheating often stems from low coolant, radiator blockages, a failed water pump, thermostat issues or restricted airflow.

If you're smelling coolant or notice the temperature gauge moving towards the red zone, you should carefully pull the vehicle to the roadside, away from oncoming traffic. If the engine is damaged, you’ll need expert car towing services.

As part of your preventive maintenance plan, before you start your journey, always check coolant levels regularly, clear debris from the radiator grille, ensure hoses and belts are in good shape and flush/replace coolant per manufacturer guidelines. 

Stay Roadworthy and Stress-Free with Preventive Car Care

Preventive maintenance is essential for keeping your vehicle roadworthy, safe and to prevent breakdowns. Regularly checking batteries, tyres, fluids, and essential mechanical and electrical systems reduces the risk of being stranded.

Addressing minor issues before they escalate reduces costs, saves time and prevents stressful situations. Combined with a reliable car towing service like Fast Melbourne Towing, preventive care ensures peace of mind on every journey.