At some point, everyone experiences the confusion and dread of trying to start a car that refuses to get going. Usually, there’s no reason to panic. It’s often one of five common and easily resolvable problems. Even if you need to call a towing service to transport you to a mechanic, chances are you’ll have a working car again soon.

What’s Gone Wrong

1. Battery Is Dead

Leaving any of your car’s lights on all night depletes the battery’s energy. If that’s the case, then jump starting it usually resolves the problem.

If that fails, there may be a loose wire or water damage in the battery. Alternatively, it could have just reached the end of its life and requires replacement. In these cases, you’d need to call a towing service.

2. Ignition Switch Malfunction

If your lights are working, but your car still won’t start, then you can rule out the battery and instead suspect the ignition switch isn’t communicating properly with the engine. In most cases, a whole new ignition switch will need to be installed. It’s a tricky process best handled by an expert, so have a towing service take the car to a mechanic.

3. Starter Is Broken

Hearing a clicking noise when you turn the key in the ignition usually points to a broken starter. It’s a small motor built to get the engine running after the battery powers it up. Sometimes, you can jump-start the car even if the starter isn’t in good shape, but it’s only a temporary fix. You will need to have a mechanic fix or replace it, and a towing service will take you there.

4. Fuel Filter Is Clogged

The gasoline needs to travel through the fuel line to get the car moving. If the filter is too plugged up with dirt and debris for the gas to move freely, then it’s probably just overdue for a change. If you’re not comfortable doing that yourself, have a technician help. In the future, check the filter every time you change the oil so that you can keep it from clogging again.

5. Empty Gas Tank

If there’s no gas to flow through the fuel filter, then the car won’t start no matter how clean a filter you put in it. All you need to do is buy some gasoline and fill the tank. Hopefully, there’s a gas station within walking distance or alternate transportation available. If not, a vehicle transport service should get it to a gas station for you.

Whether you need to transport your malfunctioning car to a mechanic or require more heavy-duty towing Quality Towing and Equipment Moving of West Chester, OH, offers 24/7 roadside assistance for any problem. They can even tow boats and small planes. Whatever service you need, they provide it with personalized customer service. For an estimate for towing service, call (513) 777-6622 or message them online.