We generally tend to count on the fact that our cars will continue to run smoothly. However, this isn’t always the case. And, if your car ends up losing power, this might leave you feeling lost and unsure of where to turn. After all, you’ll probably be thinking this is a problem with the engine – but that’s a huge bill to repair it. Well, fret not, because there are several common reasons.

Run a Car History Check First

If you’re buying a second-hand car, simply trusting the seller’s word could leave you at risk. As a result, if you are purchasing a used model and want to check that the sale is genuine, try to start by running a car check instead. Indeed, car history checks allow you to decide whether a vehicle has experienced any serious damage in its lifetime (among other factors, such as a write-off check and stolen check). In turn, this can give you greater confidence in your car purchase, accordingly.

What’s Causing My Car to Lose Power?

We need to stress here that you should always get professional support if you’re at all concerned about your car losing power; don’t try to do a DIY repair job on it yourself, as you could easily do more harm than good.

Issues with Fuel

Let’s face it; the main reason that tends to come to mind for issues with your car losing power is due to due to poor fuelling. If the car has a clogged particulate or fuel filter or if the fuel injectors have stopped working, this could result in the car losing power very quickly, especially when driving up hill. Keep an eye out for this issue to see if this might be the problem for your car.

Problems with the Exhaust System

We generally assume that power issues must be due to fuel. However, this isn’t always the case, and complications that rise in relation to the exhaust system can have a similar effect. For example, if the car’s catalytic converter is blocked or if the exhaust is backfiring (caused by the wrong mix of air and fuel), this could very significantly impact the performance of your beloved car. Of course, a clogged up exhaust could also have similar issues.

Faulty Turbocharger

As the engine increases the number of revs, the turbocharger helps pump air into the engine to keep things running as normal. However, if the turbocharger breaks down or gets damaged, you may need to get this fixed by a professional. The turbocharger can often also get blocked up, especially over the autumn months by falling leaves.

Electrics

One of the great selling points of older vehicles for many is their relative simplicity. Indeed, these days, cars tend to cost a huge amount to fix because they’re so technical. As such, if you’ve seen an issue with your car losing power, checking the electrical systems is important.

Conclusion

Keeping your car running smoothly is a big ask. And, unfortunately, countless things might cause your car to lose power. As such, being aware of these could help you decide whether there’s an issue with your vehicle (and whether to send it to a mechanic).