6 Simple Reasons Your Car Won't Start

One of the most gut-wrenching experiences is to turn your car on and have it not respond. When a car won't start, people often go into a mild panic mode, but such a dramatic reaction isn't always necessary

Common,easy-to-resolve scenarios could prevent your car from starting that don't include a battery or alternator failure. Here are some of the reasons why cars fail to start.

Everyone knows that running out of gas will lead to a failed start,and the average driver generally uses their fuel gauge to monitor when their fuel level is getting low. What some people fail to realize is that the fuel gauge is an estimate.

If you were driving faster than you usually do or driving in heavy traffic, your fuel level could quickly drop. Aim to keep no less than one-quarter tank of fuel in the car at all times to be safe.

Spark plugs are the spark that ignites the start-up process within the engine. When the spark plugs have failed, the air and fuel mixture won't correctly flow through the engine's cylinders, which prevents the vehicle from starting.

Depending on the type, spark plugs typically have a life span of around 20,000 to 120,000 miles. Have your spark plugs examined routinely so that you can replace them before they fail.

Vehicles are often equipped with a wheel-locking security feature. The feature freezes the steering wheel in a restricted position whenever the key is removed. Depending on the position of the steering wheel when the key was removed, the wheel could prevent the key from rotating fully to turn the car on.

If the locking mechanism is to blame, wiggle the wheel a little to resolve the problem.

When you initiate the start-up process, fuel from your tank passes through a filter and flows into the engine. When the filter has a problem, the fuel can't reach the engine and the car won't start.

With regular vehicle use, dirt and other debris settle on the filter and can eventually lead to a clog that prevents the fuel from passing through. If you have the oil changed in your car regularly, the technician will likely also look at the filter and let you know when you need a replacement.

New cars come with key fob technology that can make your life easier, but it's also annoying at times. If you have a vehicle equipped with push-to-start technology and you're pushing the button with no response from the car, your key fob might not be inside the vehicle.

In some cars,a warning light will show up on your dash panel to let you know the key is not inside the car, so make sure you look up.

A fuel pump is responsible for transporting the fuel from the tank to the filter. If your car won't start because the fuel can't pass through the tank, you should expect the same outcome when the pump doesn't deliver any fuel

During startup, you may hear the engine crank and rev but never fully turn over and power on. Fuel pumps generally fail over time, so you may have noticed a decline in your fuel efficiency, overheating,and sputtering, which were all warning signs that the pump was failing.

While plenty of starting issues can be resolved on your own, plenty of problems should be left to the skill of a professional auto technician. If your car won't start, leave it to the pros at Dualtone Muffler Brake & Alignment. Contact our shop so that we can perform a thorough inspection of your car, finish the right repairs,and get you back on the road as fast as possible.