Emergency Car Problems

Car problems can erase all the enjoyment of driving in an instant. Flashing red and orange dashboard lights, smoke coming out from under the hood, or the scary realization that your engine has died 32 miles from home - fears such as these become more manageable with some basic troubleshooting skills. Here are a few common roadside problems and their suggested solutions; an emergency toolkit list appears at the end of the article:

1. Problem: Alternator light comes on, and the car begins to run rough. 

Diagnosis: Your alternator is not producing electricity, so the engine is running on the battery alone—you can still drive the car, but you only have a short time until the battery goes dead (usually about 15-30 minutes). 

Solution: Drive 40 mph or less, turn off all accessories—radio, AC, fan blower, etc. This is one situation in which you don’t use your flashers, since they will run the battery down very quickly (unless you are in fact impeding traffic). Drive cautiously—you won’t have quick acceleration to pass, etc. 

In most cases, replacing the alternator will solve the problem, but occasionally the alternator light will come on for other reasons. Many auto parts stores can test your alternator before you buy, so you’ll know for sure.

2. Problem: Steam is escaping from under the front of the hood, and your engine temperature light has come on (meaning the engine is too hot). 

Diagnosis: Pull safely off the road, turn off the engine as soon as possible, and turn on flashers. Open the hood cautiously, and see if you can determine where the steam (or water) is leaking. 

Solution: If water is leaking from one of the larger radiator hoses (upper or lower), or the water pump itself, you have little choice but to wait for a tow.