7 Car Parts You Should Be Checking Regularly

A car, whether it is a brand new car or a used car, is by no means regular merchandise. It is an investment that you make so that it can provide you utmost utility and comfort. Your car gives you back more than you give it. That is why you should give it the care that it deserves. Car parts inspection is one thing that you must do regularly. This one, in fact, is one of the best maintenance tips that you mustn’t ever ignore. If you inspect the most important parts of your car regularly, you reduce the risk of accident substantially.

There is no particular day to do it, but there are milestones in your car’s career when you must stop and check. And, you must do it, not only to ensure safety, but also to extend the life of your car.

7 Parts that Need Regular Car Parts Inspection

Brakes

The brakes are, without a doubt, the most crucial part of a car. No drivers dare to drive with worn out brakes for sure, since you cannot be able to perform a safe stop or even slow down when needed. So if your car brakes fail, or malfunction, you know where you are headed, don’t you? 

In order to understand what needs to be inspected, car owners need to know the brake system. Even though complicated, all you must acknowledge is the brake pedal, the brake pads and the discs. While most of us are familiar with the first twos, the definition of brake discs, the large silver parts on the inside of the wheel, is quite new. The friction will wear down this part over time, making pitting or corrosion. So in order to maintain the brake performance, brake discs are the places to check.

With the brake pads, their thickness is the spot that needs to be checked, since friction will also affect them over time.

You must never wait for the brakes to behave oddly to deserve a check. It deserves a due place in the car parts inspection. The screeching sound in the brakes tells you that the brake pad is due for a change. But, you’d rather not wait for it to happen. Have a professional check it for you every time you take your car for the scheduled service.

Tires

This is one of the aspects that most car owners ignore in their car maintenance schedule. Nevertheless, it is one of the most important ones. Though most people wait for 4-6 years to see if they need a tire change, you must do it regularly. Do check the tread of your tire with a simple penny test and also, check if the pressure is okay. Buy a simple tire pressure gauge. The tire pressure keeps changing with the change in temperature outside. So, keep a track if it. Check with your car manufacturer for the right pressure. And, decide by the treads if you need to replace the tires.

Air Filter

If the air filter of your car is clogged, it will cause fuel consumption to rise. Besides, it will also affect the performance of the car by decreasing the horsepower.

This can also take away the engine’s ability to run smoothly and may even stall it. Make sure that you get it checked during the due service appointment. It doesn’t cost much; neither the checkup, nor the replacement.

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Oil

Talking of car parts inspection, the oil is responsible for making the performance of all other parts smooth. To be more specific, every engine needs oil to stop the metal car parts from corroding the inside engine. With various distinguishing moving features, being well lubricated is highly necessary. 

Oil plays the main role in smoothly functioning every part of the automobile and reduces the heat temperature caused by the friction. Over time, the level of engine oil will decrease as it leaks or is used up. For that reason, it is recommended to check the reservoir below the bonnet, or the dial. Drivers can also check how much oil left by using the dip-stick. Remember to only check when the vehicle is park on level ground and the engine is cold.

If the level of oil isn’t right, your car will not work right. Modern day cars necessitate you to change the oil every 5000-1000 miles, depending on their make (refer to your car owner’s manual). With time, the oil becomes less viscous, contaminated with impurities, and at times too thin to lubricate the engine.

Just remember that different types of engine require different engine oil. The only way to be sure about this is to check with car experts or with your owner’s manual. 

So, check it according to the distance prescribed by your make of car, and change it. You can change it yourself, or get a professional to do it.

Power Steering Fluid

Well, if you have had the experience of driving cars without power steering, you know the value of power steering. Power steering fluid is responsible for the smooth and balanced movement of the power steering. Lack of this fluid can lead to steering wheel failure. Make it a part of the car maintenance schedule and ask your provider to check it at the time of service. If you can do it yourself, why not!

Transmission Fluids

The helm of car movement and engine performance is at the transmission control. You must make sure that the transmission fluid is at the right level, and that it is not leaking.

You need to change it periodically to keep the gear shift smooth and performing flawlessly.

Suspension and Steering Parts – Shock Absorbers

Last but certainly not least, shock absorbers. Every time drivers turn their cars over a bump or around a bend, the shock absorbers are flexing and in use. With damaged or worn shocks, the automobile loses 25% in the braking system performance, which could lead to serious issues when driving.

It is quite a hard job to check the condition of this car part, so this is the simple guideline: First of all, car owners need to see if the vehicle is pulling to one side when driving around the bend. This is the most common way to spot the worn out shock absorbers. Second of all, if the bonnet takes a noticeable dip when braking, damaged shocks are the answers. Last but not least, it is suggested that any signs of uneven wear on tyres could be caused by worn out shocks.