10 common summer damages and how to fix them on the road

This summer is a great opportunity to travel. Being able to get in your car and go where your eyes see is one of the most striking manifestations of freedom these days.

The only thing that casts a shadow on long trips is the likelihood that some part may fail in the car. But the truth is that most of the most common breakdowns in summer can be treated on the road. Most importantly, the driver should know his car well, especially his “whims”. Such prudence will facilitate the search for the necessary elements that will help to quickly solve a difficult situation.

1 Burst radiator

A particularly serious problem during the hottest period of the year, leading to a dangerous increase in engine operating temperature. You don't have to wait for a cloud of steam under the hood to fix this problem - a puddle under the hood indicates a leak, as well as a noticeably low coolant level in the expander.

To correct the situation on the spot, you must first wait for the engine to cool down - and be patient enough, because this will not happen for several minutes. If you can, then flush the radiator with a hose to better see where the crack has formed. After cleaning, start the engine and watch for leaks carefully.

If you see where the antifreeze oozes from, it is better to try to seal it with special epoxy glue, which can be found at gas stations. Containing epoxy resin and polymers, it can successfully stop leaks. If a sufficient layer is applied, it can withstand the pressure that forms inside the circuit.

In order to hold the material better, when applied to the problem area, you need to press it a little on the crack site. So the glue penetrates through the hole formed inside the radiator.

Radiator Leak - Avoid Eggs

Most gas stations sell special sealants that can clog smaller holes in the radiator from the inside. If you don’t have one, some suggest using an egg yolk.

But both methods are even harmful than useful. Sealants have no properties to settle solely on the site of the rupture of the radiator. And egg yolk will create jams in all parts of the cooling system. After applying such methods (especially the second one), you will have to clean the entire system so that it continues to function properly.

2 Broken window

A window may break the vandal (if you leave valuables in a closed car), or the window may break. No need to panic - as a temporary measure, you can use a piece of polyethylene and tape.

Such road repairs will allow you to safely get home (especially if it rains outside). But it should be remembered that during the ride "patch" will make noise.

3 Blown Lamps

In this case, install a suitable bulb on the driver's side. This will prevent an emergency. To deal with such situations, the driver should have at least one more incandescent lamp in stock. This will make it easier to troubleshoot. If you are traveling outside your home country, find out what the traffic rules for that area say about driving without a light bulb.

4 Blown fuse

Many manufacturers anticipated this problem and install at least one spare element on the cover, under which there are fuses (usually somewhere to the left under the steering wheel).

If not, try carefully connecting the terminals of the blown fuse with rolled metal foil - from chocolate or cigarettes. Or use an unnecessary copper wire (the owner will definitely have some trinket in the tool that he did not have time to throw away).

If a blown fuse is responsible for an important function, such as turn signals or headlights, take the whole one responsible for something less important, for example, a window regulator.

5 Battery low

Of course, this is more of a winter problem, but in the summer you can forget about the light or the charging relay is out of order.

On petrol cars with a manual gearbox, you can try the following: turn the ignition key, turn on the car, turn on the second speed (keep the clutch pedal depressed) and ask someone to push your car (in the absence of strangers, the transmission must be put into neutral gear, accelerate auto yourself, and then turn on the second gear).

If you manage to achieve the desired acceleration, sharply release the clutch. Remember that this method can create problems with diesel cars, as well as with some more modern cars with a start button instead of a key. If the car has an automatic transmission, it is useless to try to use this method, since in such cars the motor and gearbox do not have mechanical connection with each other.

In any case, it’s easier and safer to start the car with a donor car. Almost any driver will help you in this situation, but it is good to have a set of cables with you. What is it and how is electricity supplied from another car, see here to register:.

6 Decrease in oil level

On long trips, especially in hot weather, such a problem is quite possible. This is a serious situation: without oil, the engine will quickly fail. Ideally, it's good to have a small spare amount in the trunk - when replacing, there is usually a little extra left, just store it.

If you do not have oil, ask someone for something and add enough to calmly get to the nearest service station and change the oil there for a new one. Be sure to find out why the oil level has dropped.

By “anything” is meant only engine oil. Transmission, industrial or any other technical fluids can only exacerbate the problem.

7 The clutch pedal is out of order

This can happen if the hydraulic lines are leaking or the cable is broken. In this case, you can not wait for help in a deserted area.

Start the engine at neutral speed. It is important that the turnover is minimal. Push the car to make it move. Then turn on first gear. In this case, the likelihood that the engine will stall is less. The first few seconds of driving in this mode is not the greatest pleasure in the world, but at least it will help you get to the nearest service station or auto shop.

It is worth considering that this method is effective on country roads. In the city it is better not to use it, since there are many intersections and traffic lights in it. In this case, you will have to not only change the clutch cable, but also the gearbox.

8 Damaged thermostat

One of the most common damages in the summer, which leads to overheating of the engine - especially if you get into a toffee or a traffic jam.

Unless you're caught in a five-kilometer traffic jam, the easiest way to avoid overheating is to drive slowly, without loading the engine, and at the same time turn on the interior heating and open the windows as much as possible. On the street with a 35-degree heat, this, of course, is not very pleasant, but this is how another heat exchanger of the cooling system works. This will help you get to the service center.

9 Movement after a light blow

Fortunately, not every accident requires a tow truck. In many cases, the movement can continue (as soon as all documentary issues have been resolved). But in this case, it is important not to cause additional damage to your car. For example, you might lose your license plate while driving. For its restoration you will need to pay a small fine.

If the number mount is damaged, it is better to remove it and place it on the glass from the passenger compartment. The bumper can be temporarily glued with electrical tape (or tape). But in order for it to hold the part firmly, the surface must be cleaned of dust, moisture and dirt.

10 Flat tire

There is no big secret here. The easiest way is to simply jack up the car and replace the flat tire with a spare (the main thing is that the spare tire is sufficiently inflated).

But this is not always possible. Holes on some roads turn out to be so “high-quality" that two tires burst at once. For such cases, you must have the means to at least temporarily seal the tire in order to get to the vulcanization.

The easiest option is to have a ready-made repair kit. One of these means is a special spray that is sprayed through the nipple into the tire. The compound temporarily plugs the puncture and ensures that you get to the service station.

It is also useful to have a lighter-powered compressor in the boot (a hand or foot pump is a budget option) so that the tire can be inflated.

The tips covered in this review are not a panacea. Moreover, situations on the road are very different, so in some cases other measures will be required. And this review tellshow to unscrew a rusted VAZ 21099 door bolt for a beginner if there are no suitable tools at hand.