Houston

If your mechanic told you that you have a drive system failure, you would be rightfully upset with the situation. Drive system failures are no laughing matter. Let’s learn about what drive system failures are, how they affect vehicles, and how you can reduce the risk of it happening to you.

Owners of a nice car such as the Audi Q7 don’t expect to have a drive system failure. To keep your vehicle in prime shape, it is very important to understand why a drive system failure might pop up in the display, and secondly, how to fix it. Fortunately, the problem is not as scary as it might seem and is probably easier to solve than you’d expect.

What is drive system failure?

A drive system failure refers to the notification message that appears in the heads-up display. This notification communicates that there has been an insecurity in the engine. Although this is usually caused by an engine misfire, there may also be other factors that contribute to this error message.

In order to understand the drive system failure, one needs to understand engine misfire. Simply put, engine misfire refers to the malfunctioning of one or more of the engine cylinders. When this occurs, especially in severe cases, the engine shakes. This mechanical instability is picked up by the car’s sensors and the drive system failure message appears.

What To Try First

Since the drive system failure message comes up when the engine is unstable, the first thing to do is pull over and stop the car to avoid danger. Sometimes, there is a kink in the timing chain or a bump in the road that causes the engine misfire, so simply stopping the car and restarting it is sufficient to reset the electronics and make the error message disappear.

If the message persists, however, this indicates that there is a permanent problem that is constantly causing the engine to misfire. It could also be an electronics error that is sensing the misfire when it actually does not exist. However, to be on the safe side, it is important to give the benefit of the doubt and address the potential engine misfire problem to maximize safety of everyone on the road.

Fixing Engine Misfires

Although engine misfire can occur due to a number of reasons, the most common problems that lead to it include a faulty timing chain, a broken spark plug, or a leak. Importantly, the proper function of the engine is dependent on 3 conditions: there must be adequate fuel, sufficient oxygen for combustion, and a spark to ignite the mixture. It is absolutely essential that these are functioning properly together.

Insufficient fuel and oxygen supplies are typically the result of a leak or clogged valve. There is no quick solution for this problem besides replacing the system. Leaks are the result of long periods of corrosion. Clogs are due to the buildup of fuel byproducts such as sludge. Both cases are natural side effects of driving an automobile, so it is inevitable that these parts will need replacement periodically.

However, in the case of a faulty timing chain, the synchronization between the opening and closing of the engine valves is offset so that there is a constant suboptimal exchange of fuel into the engine cylinders and exhaust out of them. This results in wasting fuel and reduced acceleration. In severe cases, the car can even stall and shut down in the middle of the road. Malfunctioning timing chains are typically very difficult to repair and therefore are almost always replaced.

The Solution

As you can see, the drive system failure is not something to be afraid of. In the best case scenario, a quick shutdown and restart can reset the car and make everything work properly again. In the worst case scenario, you can visit a car shop and get it replaced. Either way, it is a no-stress fix that can have you on your way in minutes. Since the repairs related to drive system failure are not easily done by oneself, it is recommended to seek professional assistance. For quick and stress-free service, come to Das European Autohaus. We are conveniently located near Spring and Houston, TX, so head on over to make your drive system perfect again!

* Audi Q7 image credit goes to: typhoonski.