Modern vehicles are far hardier than their earlier counterparts. It’s not uncommon anymore to see cars and trucks more than ten years old on the road. Engines are more efficient and can handle more miles, but nothing has an indefinite lifespan.
A little maintenance is required to keep your automobile in good health, unfortunately. There are some parts that are more likely to need to be replaced at some point than others, and some of them are guaranteed to need replacing.
The Oil and Oil Filter
Oil changes are usually performed every 3-6 months. While modern manufacturers often recommend changing the filter every 7,500 miles instead of the previous standard of every 3,000 miles, the part does eventually wear out.
The oil acts as a lubricant for your engine, the filter trapping contaminants and debris so they can’t damage your vehicle’s engine. However, all filters eventually become clogged, and there’s really no way to prevent it except to change out the part at regular intervals. However, doing so can save you from prematurely losing your engine.
Windshield Wiper Blades
While it’s recommended that you change your wiper blades every six months, many drivers just wait until there’s a problem with them. Regardless of what you choose to do, just make sure that if you see trouble, you replace them. It’s not worth it to risk your eyesight on the road.
The Air Filter
Your car’s air filter also keeps dirt and dust away from your engine. In fact, it’s your engine’s first line of defense, and a simple way to extend its lifespan is to change the air filter. Every 12,000 miles or so, unless you live somewhere particularly dusty, is when you should have it replaced.
In fact, many engine problems can be traced back to a poorly maintained air filter or oil filter, so be sure to stay on top of them. Your engine will thank you for it.
The Battery
Most people can expect to change the battery at some point in their automobile’s lifespan. A bad battery won’t damage the engine, but when you get into your car or truck, turn the ignition, and find that it doesn’t even try to start, you’ll be just as stuck as if the engine was dead.
Luckily, batteries aren’t hard or expensive to replace. In fact, many people are capable of replacing their own car batteries and won’t need to visit a mechanic.
The Tires
Even the best tires wear out, making it hazardous to drive. You could suffer a blowout on the highway or struggle to gain traction on wet or icy roads. It’s reasonable to expect to have to change your tires every 25,000 or 50,000 miles. In the meantime, inspect the treads once in a while to see what shape they’re in, and remember to have them rotated when you bring your vehicle in for maintenance.
The Lights
Headlights, taillights, and turn signals are the lights on your car or truck most likely to give out. They’re key safety features, and losing one of them can cause you to be pulled over by the police. They usually last around 2,000 hours before needing replacing. Luckily, they’re quite easy to replace, and many people don’t even use a mechanic to do it.
The Fuel Pump
A fuel pump can last for over 100,000 miles, but that doesn’t mean that wear and tear can’t leave you stranded on the side of the road. The fuel pump is responsible for pumping gas to the engine, so it’s constantly running when you drive. Usually, it’s dirt and rust that’s responsible for them failing.
The Water Pump
The water pump keeps your vehicle’s engine from overheating by circulating coolant between the radiator and the engine. Some water pumps actually do last for the lifespan of the vehicle, but you should still consider replacing it around 70,000 miles anyway. If the water pump fails, the engine will overheat and can become damaged.
The Spark Plugs
Finally, spark plugs are the last item that will probably need to be replaced at some point on your car or truck. Tell-tale signs of dirty or damaged spark plugs are lower gas efficiency, slow acceleration, and trouble starting the engine. Luckily, they can last up to 100,000 miles, but even at 80,000 miles you should suspect damaged spark plugs if you notice you’re having trouble.
Can I Extend the Lifespan of These Parts?
The best way to extend the life of any part is to take your vehicle in for regular maintenance. Even simple things, like remembering to change the oil filter, can extend the life of parts like spark plugs. Unfortunately, you can’t keep parts around forever no matter how good your maintenance, but you may find yourself not having parts break down as often.