Some car parts, such as brake pads and filters, need to be replaced every so often. Meanwhile, other components can last for the life of the vehicle when properly maintained. No driver wants to have to replace things like their vehicle engine or automatic transmission as these major auto repair components always come hefty price tags. Additionally, catalytic convertors, fuel pump & filter, & also replacing a car or truck battery are infrequent maintenance needs that can surface.
Here’s how to protect your vehicle’s most expensive parts from premature wear and tear.
Engine
To prevent costly engine repair, take the necessary steps to protect your vehicle’s most expensive part. It’s especially important to get an oil change at the recommended interval. This routine service can extend the life of your engine by thousands of miles.
It’s just as critical to keep the engine cool. Overheating can cause an extensive amount of damage, including a blown head gasket and warped cylinders. If you happen to notice your temperature gauge approaching the danger zone, pull over as soon as possible. Some of the common causes of an overheated engine include coolant leaks, malfunctioning radiator fans, and a bad water pump.
Automatic Transmission
Automatic transmissions have become more sophisticated than ever. Because automatic transmission repair can be so expensive, you must make maintenance a top priority. The transmission fluid will eventually need to be changed. Over time, heat and dirt cause this critical fluid to break down.
Another way to help preserve your automatic transmission is to allow it to properly warm up, especially on cold days. When leaving home, simply drive gently for the first few miles. Far less stress will be placed upon the various moving parts. Contrary to popular belief, modern vehicles shouldn’t be allowed to idle for long periods of time. This is not an effective way to warm up the engine and automatic transmission. After allowing the engine to idle for about a minute or so, it’s safe to hit the road.
Catalytic Converter
A catalytic converter is part of your vehicle’s emission system. It’s specially designed to limit the amount of pollution emitting from the exhaust. The cost to replace a damaged catalytic converter can be up to $1,500 on some vehicles.
In Asheville, a malfunctioning catalytic converter will result in a failed NC state inspection. In many instances, poor maintenance is the primary cause of a catalytic converter going bad. It’s important to repair oil leaks. When oil drips into the catalytic converter, it’s only a matter of time before you experience trouble. You also shouldn’t wait to replace worn spark plugs, which can cause unburned fuel to enter the exhaust.
Fuel Pump
It’s easy to forget about your vehicle’s fuel pump. This component quietly does its job without making a fuss. When your fuel pump starts to become noisy, expect the worse.
You must remember to have the fuel filter replaced every 40,000 – 80,000 miles. A dirty fuel filter will put extra pressure on the pump, thus shortening its life. Never make the mistake of driving on a near-empty tank of gas. This could cause your fuel to severely overheat.
Hybrid Battery
Some of today’s vehicles feature a hybrid battery. On average, you can expect a hybrid battery to last for at least 100,000 miles. However, there are ways to get even more life out of a hybrid battery.
According to experts, drivers should coast when traveling down hills and coming to a stop. A hybrid vehicle uses kinetic energy to replenish the battery. Also, try to park in the shade whenever possible. Extreme heat will ultimately shorten the battery’s life expectancy.
In conclusion, all cars & truck require minimal amounts of regular maintenance. Maintaining the proper maintenance schedule for your vehicle may seem small & insignificant, but in fact, it is HUGE. Always follow the recommendations of your vehicle manufacturer. Regular oil changes will likely minimize the chances that you will need to replace your automatic transmission & in some cases even vehicle engines! Maintaining a clean & working auto fuel filter may extend the life of your fuel pump as well as potentially prevent the need for a new catalytic converter on down the road.