Today’s vehicles are far more advanced in design than the car’s of yesteryear. We’re fairly lucky as drivers: not only do we get to enjoy the perks of a refined driving experience, but there’s also less of a risk of something going wrong.
That doesn’t mean modern cars never run into problems, however. Inevitably, one day we’ll find ourselves on the side of the road with the hood up and steam pouring out. Checking in on the health of your car as time passes can help to avoid this fate.
There are certain parts of a car that more commonly need maintenance or replacement than others. Checking in on these areas in particular once every few weeks can save you time and money.
Read on, and we’ll walk you through which common replacement car parts you should be checking in on.
1. Windshield Wiper Blades
Self-driving cars may in our near future, but for now, it’s important that we as drivers keep a clear view of the road in front of us. An essential tool in this task? Windshield wipers.
Inclement weather can create dangerous driving conditions and prevent visibility through the front windshield of a vehicle. You need your windshield wipers to push rain away and give you a clear view of the road. But they can often become damaged.
It’s a good idea to replace the windshield wipers of your vehicle every six months. If they begin to show signs of wear and tear prior to that, consider replacing them sooner. The last thing you want it to be caught in a big storm and with wipers that can barely push away water.
2. Car Battery
What keeps your vehicle chugging on down the road? Your car battery. A battery helps to keep your car’s electrical system running and aids the ignition process of starting the car.
Most car batteries last somewhere between three and five years before starting to deteriorate. Once a battery gets old, it can be the cause of many problems with your vehicle. You might have a hard time getting your car to start, for example.
Ensuring the health of your car battery and replacing it when it gets old is just one way to be a responsible car owner.
3. Fuel Pump
While a car battery is important, it’s not the main thing that’s keeping your car running. For most cars, that is still gas and fuel. Your fuel pump is the piece of your vehicle responsible for moving gas from the fuel tank into the engine. It very literally keeps your car running.
All of this activity does mean it’s fairly subject to wear and tear over time. Most car manufacturers state that a fuel pump can last between 50,000 and 100,000 miles. That means how often you’ll need to replace it will depend on how often you tend to drive.
Dirt or rust in the fuel tank can also cause damage to the fuel pump of your car. If dirt and grime have started to build up, it’s a good idea to look into fuel tanks for sale and ensure the safety of both parts of your vehicle.
4. Oil Filter
By far the part of your vehicle that needs the most maintenance is the oil filter. An oil change is a basic maintenance task that almost every vehicle owner knows about. Every three to six months, it’s time to check in on your oil and make a replacement.
What does oil do for your car, anyway? Oil actually helps your engine to run smoothly. It lubricates the engine and helps to filter dirt, grime, and other dangerous materials away from the engine functions.
Changing the oil and oil filter of your car will continue to ensure that your engine is running as smoothly as can be.
5. Headlights and Taillights
A big part of being a good driver is performing proper communication with other vehicles on the road around you. And you can’t do this without your headlights and taillights.
These lights are an essential safety feature if you’re planning to drive around in the hours after the sun has gone down. Most lights for your headlights and taillights are thought of not in terms of miles but in hours. After so many hours of use, they’ll begin to grow dim and need to be replaced.
The lifespan of a bulb will depend on the kind that you purchase. Traditional bulbs last somewhere between 500 and 1,000 hours. But special HID lightbulbs can last almost double that amount.
6. Spark Plugs
One car part that drivers often forget to check in on is spark plugs.
Spark plugs help a car to get started and keep it running smoothly once on the road. A damaged spark plug can affect your vehicle’s ability to accelerate or even prevent your car from getting started.
Most spark plugs last a very long time: up to 100,000 miles. But if you’re nearing this number and have noticed less than stellar performance from your engine, it may be worth looking into replacing the spark plugs. You want a healthy, happy engine and performing these check-ins can help make that happen.
The Most Common Replacement Car Parts
Understanding what the most common replacement car parts are is a big part of being a responsible car owner. The above items should be a handy checklist when it comes to monitoring the health of your personal vehicle.
Have your own experience replacing any of these parts? Want to share? Feel free to get in touch with us and share your story.
