Your vehicle can be a delicate machine sometimes; one faulty component can have severe consequences throughout many different systems. There are times when the problem is obvious, such as a leaking tire or worn-down brake pads. But the most commonly overlooked car maintenance is just as essential and can result in expensive damage to your vehicle before you realize something is wrong.
Coolant
Your engine generates a lot of heat while in use, but your engine coolant is what keeps it cool and prevents it from overheating. While the fluid keeps the engine safe, if it isn’t routinely changed, it can become corrosive and damage the engine rather than save it. The metal in your engine will corrode and cause significant damage that may end up totaling your car if it goes unchecked for too long.
Flush Your System
In order to avoid this, you will have to flush out your coolant and purge the system occasionally. How often you will have to do this is dependent on your vehicle. Consult your owner’s manual before you proceed to know precisely when the coolant must be flushed.
Support Bearings
Depending on how long the driveshaft is on your vehicle, you will need support bearings to hold the shaft in place better while in motion. While the signs of defective support bearings can become obvious in later stages, it’s hard to catch early on, which results in more extensive damage.
See How Smooth Your Drive Is
One of the most obvious signs of a faulty support bearing is the deterioration of the smoothness of your drive. You will notice that your vehicle will begin to rumble as you accelerate; the problem will become worse as the damage progresses.
Timing Belt
Timing belts are designed to control the valves on your vehicle’s engine, making sure they open and close at the correct times to optimize engine performance. They are an essential part of your vehicle’s engine system, but they can be difficult to see due to their placement in the engine compartment.
Know When To Get It Checked Out
It’s generally recommended to have your timing belt inspected every 100,000 miles to make sure that there’s no significant wear and tear. Common signs that it’s starting to fail include:
- Ticking noises are coming from your engine.
- The engine is not turning on.
- Oil is leaking near the motor.
Do Not Wait For Maintenance
Because these overlooked car maintenance issues can be hard to detect early on, you must have your vehicle serviced as soon as possible. By the time you start noticing the symptoms of these problems, the damage may already be done, and waiting longer will only increase the repair costs.
