Though you might not spend too much time thinking about it, our cars are intricately made up of tens of thousands of pieces. Each of these parts work together to make sure your car runs smoothly.
Unsurprisingly, there will come a time when some of these parts break. This can be for any number of reasons from general wear and tear to accidents and failing to maintain them properly. Some parts require a greater amount of maintenance than others and will need to be replaced more frequently.
Oil and Oil Filter
Oil plays a fundamental part in the smooth running of your engine while also making sure it doesn’t get too hot. It is therefore no surprise that it requires regular maintenance. Most manufacturers will generally recommend that you get an oil change every 3,000 – 5,000 miles to make sure your car is running as smoothly and safely as possible.
When you take your car to the mechanic for an oil change they will know the type of oil you need depending on the make, age, and mileage of your car. There are specific high mileage oils to use when your car reaches 75,000 miles.
Your oil filter will also require changing regularly. It is responsible for collecting debris in the oil and making sure it does not reach the engine, causing more serious problems. It’s therefore important to make sure this is working properly.
Battery
The battery is what your car uses to sends power to the engine. The battery also powers fittings such as headlights, radio, and interior lights.
Signs that indicate your battery is no longer feeding power to the engine properly might be:
- Stalling
- The car ticking over but refusing to start
- Interior lights won’t come on
- The battery light will appear on the dashboard
A car battery will need replacing relatively often. This is foreseeable given the fact this is constantly working hard to power everything in your vehicle. Usually, a car battery will need to be replaced every 3-5 years. You can buy a battery and install it yourself or you can take it to a garage where they will do it for you. If your car has been sat inactive for some time, you might need to replace the battery – even if it isn’t very old.
If you are buying a used car, you might also want to get the battery checked at a garage as you don’t know how old the battery is or how well the car has been maintained.
Tires
Tires are simply worn down through everyday use.
The traction and grip that you get from the tread will wear down gradually as you drive the car.
How often you need to replace your tires will depend on a lot of factors including:
- how much you use your car
- what kind of driving you do (i.e. on or off-road)
- your driving habits
It is difficult to say how many miles you will get out of a set of tires due to there being a number of variables. It is estimated, however, that they should last you about 60,000 miles.
Windshield Wiper Blades
Having working windshield wipers is of course integral to the safe running of your vehicle, especially if you live in areas that have particularly wet or changeable weather. You might find yourself changing the wiper blades more often if you live in drier areas. This is because they can become brittle and break if not used regularly.
No matter what, it is recommended that you change your wiper blades about every 6 months. Working wiper blades can be the difference between you having visibility on the road and not. It is therefore essential that you keep an eye on them and change them whenever you feel they aren’t working effectively anymore.
Engine Air Filter
The air filter in your engine is responsible for making sure your engine is kept clear of debris. As a result, you should be looking to replace your air filter once a year to make sure it’s working as best as it can.
When you go for your annual service, your mechanic should check your air filter and replace it if it needs it.
We Can Replace Car Parts For You
These are just a few of the most common car parts that need replacing. As our cars have so many thousands of parts, you could find yourself needing to have something replaced at any time.
If you feel like something on your car might need to be replaced or are looking for a general service and maintenance check; we can help you make sure everything is in great shape.
Get in touch with the best certified automotive technicians at ALM Cars, rated as one of the top car dealerships in the Atlanta area, that strives to provide you with the best customer service possible to ensure you leave our shop satisfied with the quality of our work. Call us or visit our dealership today.