Did your car just stall and stop running while driving? With the thousands of components and various complex mechanical systems within your vehicle, there are several things that can cause a breakdown to happen. But when your vehicle breaks down suddenly and without anticipation, the underlying cause can sometimes be a bit easier to identify.

Continue reading to learn the top three reasons why your car just stopped running and wont’ start, plus the best way to get yourself back on the road as soon as possible.

Troubleshooting Automotive Breakdowns

The top three reasons why cars just suddenly stall and stop running are 1) empty gas tank, 2) dead battery, or 3) failing alternator. Although there are multiple reasons why a car can just suddenly shut off and refused to start back up, these are the top three most common causes of sudden car breakdowns.

Empty Gas Tank

Running out of gas is one of the most common reasons why a car will suddenly just shut down, often while idling, but also sometimes while driving on the road. Even if they’re still a minimal amount of fuel in the gas tank, a vehicle can still sputter and stall, and ultimately not start back up until the tank is refilled. Do not always trust your fuel gauge on your dashboard. It is important to refill the gas tank before the marker gets close to the empty line. If you find yourself out of gas on the side of the road, contact a local 24 hour roadside assistance company in Melbourne for fuel delivery services.

Dead Car Battery

Another common reason why cars will suddenly shut down or break down on the road is due to a dead car battery. Although there are warning signs that indicate your car battery is losing its power, car batteries tend to die when you least expect them to. You can prevent this from becoming a problem by keeping jumper cables in your trunk. Of course, you will need to find another driver, who can help you jump start your car. You can also contact a local roadside assistance service for dead car battery replacement and jump starts.

Failing Alternator

Did you know that one of the reasons why your car battery died could be due to a failing alternator? If it’s not because of a dead car battery, you can tell you’re having problems with your car alternator if you’re experiencing dimming lights or similar electrical issues, or even strange sounds, and your car has just suddenly stopped running, it is likely the alternator to blame. If this happens to you, you will needto have your car towed to a local automotive repair shop for alternator repair or replacement.