What to Do When Your Car Breaks Down Due to Engine Failure: A Personal Guide

Dealing with a Car Breakdown Due to Engine Failure: What to Do Next

I never thought a day would come when I’d be stuck on the side of the road with my car’s engine completely failing. But it happened to me on a routine drive. One moment, my car was running fine, and the next, it sputtered and came to a complete stop. The dashboard lights flickered, and I heard the unmistakable sound of my engine coughing and dying. I knew right away that I was dealing with a serious issue: engine failure. Being stuck in such a situation can be stressful, especially if you're far from home or in an unfamiliar area. In this article, I’ll walk you through the steps I took when my car broke down due to engine failure, how to identify potential issues, and what to do next, including how to get reliable towing assistance.

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1. The Initial Signs of Engine Failure

It all started when I was driving down the highway, and suddenly, my car started shaking a bit. At first, I thought it was just a minor bump in the road, but then the engine began to lose power. I felt the car struggling to accelerate, and the check engine light turned on. That’s when I knew something wasn’t right. Here are the symptoms I experienced before the car came to a halt, which could indicate an engine failure:

• Loss of Power: The car began struggling to accelerate even though I was pressing the gas pedal, which is one of the first signs of engine failure.
• Strange Noises: I started hearing odd noises coming from the engine, like knocking or sputtering sounds. These noises can indicate serious internal engine problems.
• Warning Lights: The check engine light flickered on, which is a common indicator that something is wrong with the engine.
• Stalling: Eventually, the car stalled completely and refused to restart, which confirmed my suspicions of a potential engine failure.

2. Diagnosing the Issue: What Happened to My Engine?

Once I realized my engine wasn’t functioning properly, I tried to diagnose the issue to the best of my ability. Of course, I’m not a mechanic, but I knew a few things that could help me figure out what had gone wrong. Here are a few things I looked for:

• Engine Overheating: I checked the temperature gauge, and it was normal, so overheating wasn’t the issue. However, if the engine is overheating, it’s often due to low coolant or a failing water pump.
• Oil Levels: I checked the oil level, and it was good, which meant my engine wasn’t starving for oil. Lack of oil can cause catastrophic engine failure, but that wasn’t the case here.
• Fuel Supply: I checked that there was fuel in the tank, and it wasn’t empty, which ruled out a fuel supply issue.

After some basic checks, I realized that the problem was likely more serious and beyond a simple fix. The car wasn’t restarting, and there were no signs of a minor issue. It seemed to be a mechanical or electrical failure inside the engine itself.

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3. The Towing Process: When to Call for Help

At this point, I knew there was nothing I could do to fix the engine right there on the spot. I needed professional help, and that meant calling for a tow. Here's why I decided to call for towing services:

• Engine Failure Can't Be Fixed on the Road: In my case, the engine was completely unresponsive, which meant there was no way I could drive it to a repair shop. Engine repairs require specialized tools and expertise that I didn’t have on hand.
• Safety Concerns: If your car has experienced engine failure, it could be dangerous to keep trying to start it. A malfunctioning engine could lead to further damage or even pose a risk of fire.
• Location: I was stuck in the middle of nowhere, and the nearest mechanic was miles away. Having a tow truck take my car to a local shop was the safest and most efficient option.

After calling a towing service, the tow truck arrived quickly, and I made sure to double-check that the truck was equipped to handle my vehicle’s weight and towing needs. Some cars, especially if they’re low to the ground, require flatbed towing to avoid further damage. Luckily, the towing company had the right truck for the job.

4. Choosing the Right Tow Truck Service Near You

If you find yourself in a situation like mine, choosing the right tow truck service is crucial. Here’s how I went about selecting a reliable towing company:

• Look for Experience with Engine Failures: I made sure the towing company I contacted had experience with handling engine failures and transporting vehicles with mechanical issues. Not all tow trucks are equipped to handle every situation.
• 24/7 Availability: Engine failures don’t happen on a 9-to-5 schedule, so I needed a towing company that could respond anytime, day or night. Many reliable services offer 24/7 towing, and I made sure to call one of these services.
• Flatbed vs. Hook-and-Chain: Depending on the severity of the engine failure and the condition of my car, I needed a flatbed tow truck. This type of truck ensures that no further damage is done to the vehicle, especially when the engine is completely failed and immobile.
• Reviews and Reputation: Before choosing a towing service, I checked online reviews to see how other customers felt about the company’s service. This helped me ensure I was getting trustworthy and professional help.

5. The Cost of Towing for Engine Failure

The cost of towing can vary depending on your location, the type of tow, and the distance to the repair shop. I was aware that towing services can be expensive, especially in emergency situations. Here’s what I found out about towing costs for engine failure breakdowns:

• Distance: Most towing services charge a base fee for the first few miles and then an additional fee per mile after that. The farther away your car is from the shop, the more it will cost.
• Type of Tow: Flatbed towing is generally more expensive than a hook-and-chain tow due to the additional equipment needed. In my case, since my engine had completely failed, flatbed towing was necessary to avoid causing further damage.
• Time of Day: Some towing companies charge higher rates for after-hours services, weekends, or holidays. I found that towing services tend to have a standard rate during regular hours, but there’s often a premium for emergency or off-hours services.

6. Repairing the Engine: What Happens Next?

Once my car was safely towed to the mechanic, it was time to figure out what was going on with the engine. After an initial inspection, the mechanic informed me that the engine failure was due to a serious internal malfunction, likely involving the timing belt or a failed cylinder. These types of repairs require a complete engine teardown and replacement of several components.

If you ever find yourself in this situation, it’s essential to get a thorough diagnosis. Some common causes of engine failure include:

• Timing Belt Failure: If the timing belt breaks or slips, the engine can fail completely. This is a common cause of breakdowns, especially in older vehicles.
• Overheating: Persistent overheating can warp engine components and cause them to fail, resulting in costly repairs or even the need for a new engine.
• Oil Starvation: If the engine runs low on oil or if the oil pump fails, the engine can seize up, leading to total engine failure.

My repair ended up being costly, but it was necessary to get my car back on the road. Depending on your situation, you may need to make a decision on whether repairing the engine is worth the cost or if it’s time to consider replacing the vehicle entirely.