If you own a vehicle it is very important that you stay on top of routine maintenance and repairs. If your vehicle is making a weird sound, rattling or simply something doesn’t seem to be working as it should, you will want to take your vehicle to the mechanic to diagnose what is wrong with your vehicle.
Due to wear and tear, many vehicles will need to have replacement car parts. Keep reading to find out more about the most commonly replaced car parts.
Replacement Car Parts
Batteries
If you have found yourself with a car that won’t start you might need to purchase a new car battery. If your battery still works but is old, you may also want to consider purchasing a new car battery. Car batteries get old and worn out due to repeated use. When you set out shopping for a new battery you should check your owner’s manual to ensure that you are getting the right size and one with sufficient power for your vehicle. You should look for a battery that comes with a good warranty. Some warranties will offer a free replacement period for a new battery for a certain amount of time, and other warranties will offer a prorated period which will allow you to get partial reimbursement. It is important to make sure that your battery is installed correctly so that your warranty will not become void. Many retailers will help you to install your new battery, and recycle your old car battery.
Spark Plugs
There are a few tell-tale signs that you may need to replace your spark plugs. These signs include hearing unusual sounds and your car driving differently. If you hear unusual sounds including rattling, pinging or knocking sounds coming from your car, your spark plugs may not be working the way that they should. These sounds could be pistons and combustion not working effectively. You may also notice that your vehicle is not operating the way that it should. Your vehicle might have trouble starting, and take a few tries to actually get started. Your vehicle may also not be driving the way that you feel it should. If your vehicle is getting poor fuel economy, your spark plugs may be to blame. If your vehicle is experiencing any of these issues, you will want to have your vehicle looked at by a mechanic. New spark plugs will allow your car to start up easily and remain properly powered. There are a variety of different spark plugs available including copper, platinum, double platinum, iridium and gapping. A few of the top-rated spark plugs include Autolite, Denso, Bosch, and NGK.
Brakes
It is very important that you make sure that your brakes are in good working order. You should have your vehicle’s brakes inspected regularly because over time and repeated use, your brake pads, and rotors will begin to wear. The main components of car disc brake systems include brake calipers, brake pads, and brake rotors. You should refer to your owner’s manual for your brake maintenance schedule. If you put on a lot of miles or are often in stop and go traffic you should have your brakes checked more often. Certain tell-tale signs that you need to have your brake pads replaced include high-pitched squealing, grinding and vibrating. There are different types of brake pads available including semi-metallic, nonasbestos organic, low-metallic NAO and ceramic. It is imperative that you have your vehicle’s brakes repaired or replaced by a certified mechanic so that they will be in optimal working condition.
Engine Parts
Over time, certain parts of your engine will need to be replaced due to wear and tear. It is important to take your vehicle in for regular maintenance and repairs to avoid costly replacements- especially engine parts. Common engine parts that may need to be replaced include the transmission, valves, pistons, camshaft, head gasket and the timing belt. If you notice that your vehicle is driving differently, leaking fluids, making weird sounds or not starting at all, you need to take it into a certified mechanic. A mechanic can help you to determine what the issues are with your vehicle and if it is more cost-effective to repair or replace certain parts. If you have an older vehicle or drive frequently, it is important to find a mechanic that you can trust who will be able to ensure that your vehicle is driving safely and smoothly.
Filters
Your vehicle has a variety of different filters. Your vehicle’s air filter helps to filter and prevent dirt and debris from entering your vehicle’s engine. If your vehicle’s air filter is clogged and dirty it can lead to poor fuel economy. Your vehicle’s cabin air filter improves the quality of air that you breathe in your vehicle. You need to regularly replace your cabin air filter to ensure that the air in your vehicle is clean and safe to breathe. Your vehicle’s fuel filter picks up dirt that can lead to poor performance by your engine. You need to regularly replace your fuel filter to keep your vehicle at peak performance and fuel economy. Your Emission valve and filter are very important because they reroute toxic fumes from the engine back to the combustion chambers. The filter is very important because it removes harmful oil and vapor. It is important to replace the valve and filter so that your vehicle will not suffer from stalling, high oil consumption, loss of power and other issues.
Lights
Your car’s headlights are very important because they can light up the dark, allowing you to have a clear view of what is coming up on the road ahead. It also allows for other vehicles and pedestrians to see your vehicle clearly. If one of your headlights burns out, or your headlights do not seem as bright as they once did you will want to replace them. When you are shopping for replacement headlights (or are looking at upgrading) you should you will want to look at the practical and aesthetic application of them. There are different types of headlights available including halogen, LED and Xenon/HID. A few of the main things that you should look for in new car headlights include:
- Brightness
- You should look for bright headlights that will light up the road and even the side of the roads. Just keep in mind that bright headlights may be more expensive and not last as long.
- Lifespan
- You should look for headlights that are long-lasting. This can save you money and time because you do not have to replace them as often. Some headlights require professional installation which can also add up.
- White lights
- You may want to look at purchasing white headlights because they can allow you to see signs and reflective materials sooner- making driving safer.
It is important to make sure that your headlights are working properly so that you can be seen and see around you while driving.
Windshield Wipers
Your windshield wipers are very important. They can allow you to see clearly through inclement weather and remove debris and bugs from your line of sight. If your windshield wipers are not completely cleaning your windshield or are not working at all, it is time to purchase replacement windshield wipers. Driving with windshield wipers that are not working the way that they should is very dangerous because you have an obstructed and unclear view of your surroundings. Windshield wipers can deteriorate quickly- based on usage, climate and weather conditions. Your windshield wipers need to be replaced often- with many manufacturers suggesting that they are replaced every six months. It is important to check with your ownership manual to determine what size and type of windshield wipers your car would need. Many cars will require a different size wiper on either side of the windshield. When you are shopping for new windshield wipers you need to look at the price, warranty, and size. A few of the top windshield wiper brands include Bosch, ANCO, Trico, Valeo, and Michelin.