Workshops want to do their bit to contribute to road safety and minimize the environmental impact of cars, but drivers can do a lot of our part if we take care of our vehicles. Above all, these ten points:
1. Shock absorbers
The shock absorbers provide driving comfort and represent a safety guarantee as they help to control the vehicle at high speeds and in risky situations. In fact, it is considered one of the three essential components of the so-called “safety triangle”, along with tires and brakes .
The correct function of a shock absorber depends on several factors, such as road conditions, vehicle load, mileage and wear effects such as cold, heat and humidity. The action of these factors causes the effect of the damper to gradually reduce, until it stops working properly. As it is not a very perceptible wear for the driver , it is advisable to carry out periodic revisions every 20,000 kilometers .
2. Wiper blades
In case of rain , the wiper blades play a fundamental role. If they do not sweep well and do not evacuate the water correctly, (or hail or snow), they prevent precious information from reaching our eyes. A few seconds can be vital.
You can extend the life of windshield wipers . Of course, when the brushes leave areas to be swept, cause strange misting, make noise or jump, the time has come to replace them. ASETRA recommends its change after the summer as appropriate . There is nothing worse for its components than long days of sun and high temperatures. Now, in addition, they usually incorporate wear detectors that are very interesting to incorporate.
3. Filters
You should check them at least once a year . Several types of filters are mounted on vehicles :
- OIL FILTERS
Normal engine wear involves the appearance of metallic particles that break off from the components and end up in the lubricant. The oil filter’s mission is to retain these particles that impair the performance of the engine or even seriously damage it.
Given that the oil replenishment periods have been very long in new vehicles and despite the fact that the quality of the filters has improved considerably, it is essential to replenish this element every time the lubricant is changed . If you dare to change the oil yourself , you can follow these seven steps.
- AIR FILTERS
A filter in good condition guarantees that the air that reaches the engine does not contain abrasive particles. In this way, combustion is carried out in the best conditions and fuel consumption is maintained at the levels included in the vehicle’s catalogue, as is the case with polluting emissions.
It is important that the filter is always checked during vehicle maintenance operations. The end of its life depends a lot on the places through which it circulates. Hence, if you regularly drive on dusty roads , it is necessary to replace it much more frequently than if you drive through much cleaner environments.
- FUEL FILTERS
Their operation differs in the case of gasoline vehicles : they remove impurities from the fuel before they reach the engine, while in diesel -powered vehicles they serve to remove water and prevent corrosion of the metal parts of the engine. In both cases, your task is paramount to ensure the health of the engine . They should be checked whenever the vehicle enters the workshop for maintenance.
- CABIN FILTERS
If the rest of the filters that are mounted in a vehicle are intended to guarantee the health of the car’s engine, the passenger compartment takes care of the health of its occupants . As it does? “Trapping” dust particles and pollen grains that are suspended in the environment. They therefore prevent them from entering the vehicle and reduce their negative impact, especially on allergy sufferers, in addition to providing a feeling of cleanliness and well-being inside the passenger compartment. Important especially when traveling with someone allergic .
4. Tires
Many factors influence the useful life of a tire : from the components of the covers and the storage prior to their sale, to the way the user drives, or the weather and the characteristics of the pavement on which he rolls. Therefore, it is very difficult to determine an estimated number of kilometers ( there are brands that last longer than others ). However, being the link between the car and the road, its role in safety is paramount.
You must correctly maintain the pressure levels recommended by the manufacturer. You should always be very aware of the appearance of vibrations and noises, of abnormal wear (greater in some areas than in others), of any strange behavior detected during braking. The time may have come for a change and we may even be notified of failures in other security-related components. ASETRA recommends going to a specialist at least once a year if the tires have been installed for more than four years, when the annual mileage does not exceed 14,000 kilometres. If more kilometers are done, it is advisable to visit the workshop before.
5. Brakes
With the brakes in poor condition we will need more meters to stop the car in any emergency. The wear of the components of the brake system depends a lot on the characteristics of the driving and also on the usual way in which the vehicle travels (traffic jams in cities, mountain routes, with many curves, etc.).
Therefore, it is very important that this system is reviewed by a specialist at least once a year . It is not easy to detect it, since the brake components deteriorate little by little and, unless the difference is very marked (it goes to one side, it takes time to “react”, noises, squeaks, etc.), in which case the step by the workshop must be immediate. We have already talked about how to keep the brakes in good condition .
6. Lubricants
Lubricants minimize the wear of engine parts, channel the metal particles arising from this wear to the filter, help cooling and prevent tiny leaks in the circuit due to their sealing properties.
The shelf life of lubricants has been greatly increased in modern cars. 20 years ago, the average change was around 5,000-8,000 kilometres, but today vehicle manufacturers speak of more spaced replacements, over 30,000 kilometers for their new models… although delaying the change of more than 15,000 kilometers lubricants causes the engine to suffer excessively.
Workshops recommend checking the level of the lubricant tank (every 1,500 kilometres), an excellent practice that saves a lot of frights… and saves trouble and money. If you must replace, choose the type of lubricant recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.
7. Lighting
Your vehicle’s headlights allow you to see… and be seen. It is no longer compulsory to carry spare lamps in the car (due to the difficulty of mounting them and even the electrical risks that the change operation may entail in certain vehicles), we must not forget that it is compulsory to maintain the lighting and signaling in optimal conditions .
To do this, it is a good idea to check every month that all the lights are working properly (position, dipped beam, high beam, brake, reverse gear, turn signals and fog lights) and keep their outer surfaces free of mud and dirt . Likewise, whenever any irregularity is detected (a drop in intensity, for example) a specialist should be consulted.
8. Exhaust system and catalysts
Exhaust systems have a double mission in caring for the environment: they must reduce polluting emissions and the noise of the gases leaving the engine. Its deterioration cannot be avoided, due to its hard work, especially when driving a lot through cities or on irregular surfaces. You will notice leaks or corrosion due to a lack of engine power and increased lubricant consumption .
Likewise, and as indicated by the main manufacturers, driving with catalytic converters ( highly demanded by friends of the alien ) or faulty exhaust pipes can increase the risk of vehicle fire and cause suffocation and poisoning in closed places.
The catalysts stop covering their protective function of the environment at 80,000 km, so it is worth checking them after 60,000 kilometers . To avoid damaging it, it is advisable to avoid getting on curbs and warm up the vehicle by keeping the car idling for a couple of minutes before starting off.
9. Timing belt
The timing belt synchronizes the four strokes of the engine, the opening and closing of the intake and exhaust valves, and the spark of the spark plug. It is very important to follow the advice of the vehicle manufacturer because, as it is an element that wears out, its breakage can cause serious and expensive damage to the engine.
It is practically impossible for an average driver to detect its deterioration (you can always pay attention ), so the best forecast is to replace it with an average unit based on the intervals recommended by the manufacturer. And if you have to buy a new (or used) car, know the differences between the timing belt and the timing chain .
10. Environment
Some of the parts that are replaced in vehicles are considered hazardous waste and are highly polluting (in addition to being considered a crime). Vehicle repair and maintenance workshops comply with strict regulations for the correct recovery and recycling of waste. If you change any component, go to the nearest clean point . And if you plan to retire your car , do it responsibly.
