Stranded!: 3 Common Car Problems and How Much It Will Cost You

Driving is always an adventure. Cars give us the freedom to do what we want, to get to and from work, to travel to visit our friends and relatives, and to quickly complete errands and other tasks.

However, sometimes car problems do arise. When they do, it can be a real headache. A broken-down car can leave us stranded, or at the very least, quite frustrated.

There are many common car problems that motorists experience in their travels. Some of these can be fixed with little effort, but others will require a lengthy visit to a mechanic and an expensive bill after the repairs are complete.

Read on to learn about five common car problems and how much they will cost to fix. 

1. A Dead Battery

Most car batteries last about three years and vigilant car owners keep track of this time period and replace them before they become a problem. However, most of us do not engage in this type of preventative maintenance, so chances are that we will encounter a dead car battery at some point along the way.

Your car battery charges when you are driving your car, but in time it will lose its ability to hold a charge for very long. This problem is exacerbated by cold weather and also by leaving your lights on by accident and letting it go dead more than once. 

Smart motorists replace their car battery before it becomes a problem. A new car battery costs between $50 and $120 and they are very easy to replace.

2. Weak Brakes

Brakes are the most important system in your car. Being able to stop quickly is important to your safety, your passengers’ safety, and the safety of others.

When your breaks start to denigrate, you’ll know, but you really should get them checked often so you can get them fixed before that happens. If you find that your brakes are soft and it takes you a distance to stop, its past the time to get them looked at. The same goes for if you hear them grinding or squeaking when you use them to slow down. 

Brake systems have many components and the cost for repairs can vary based on what you need done. If you just need brake pads, you may only need to spend a few hundred dollars. However, if the damage is more severe, expect to pay $1000 or more.

3. Failed Starter

Your car starter is a powerful electric motor that cranks your engine to start your car. When the starter is broken, you will be unable to start your vehicle no matter how many times you try.

Often, what appears to be a starter issue is simply a drained battery, but if you jumpstart your car and you still can’t get it to start, the starter might be the culprit. 

Unfortunately replacing a starter is not an inexpensive repair. The starter itself will cost you up to around $500, and then the labor to replace it is, of course, an additional cost.

A repair service like www.cleggauto.com might be able to help you save money.

Drive Safe

These are just a few of the common car problems you might encounter while on the road. It’s best to stay on top of your car maintenance in a preventative way so you can avoid many of these problems before they even begin. 

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