When Do My Car Parts Need Replacing?

Every car owner knows that at some point, you will have to pay for car replacements. Like any other product in the world, sometimes parts become faulty or stop working, which requires them to be repaired or replaced.

A car is a machine with a range of different parts that are needed for it to work. If one of those parts stops functioning, then it needs to be replaced or repaired quickly for the car to work again.

However, the rate at which the car parts wear out depends on a range of factors, such as the driving environment, annual mileage, terrain, weather and climate conditions, and your driving style.

Here at Novus, we’re all about car replacements, so below, we’ve outlined the main car parts and how to know when they need replacing.

How Do I Find Out If I Need to Replace My Car Parts?

The telltale sign that your car has parts that need replacing is simple. You’ll often hear or feel that something isn’t right.

The first give away is that the handling while driving on the road is different. You could start to feel a bumpy sensation or notice that it’s a lot harder to steer, and you can hear screeching noises that you usually wouldn’t hear.

If your car is reaching the 100,000km mark, you’ll also know that your car parts might be in trouble and need replacement.

What Do I Do If I Think My Car Parts Need Replacing?

Besides taking your car to the mechanic to check out the issues, the first thing you can and should do is perform a visual inspection.

It’s time to pop that hood of your car and take a look inside at the shocks, trust, and mounts. While inspecting it, check to see if they look dented or damaged. Also, be sure to check underneath your car for any leaks.

Finally, check the brakes too. Sometimes, the brake pads may need replacing. These usually aren’t as expensive as having to replace the entire brake system.

How To Tell If These Commonly Replaced Car Parts Need Repairing:

1. Oil Filter

The oil filter is one of the essential parts of the car’s engine as it prevents contaminants from getting into the engine and damaging it. It also acts as a heat absorber and lubricates the engine.

Depending on your driving frequency, replacement of the oil filter should be done every 4,800 to 8,050 kilometres or 3-6 months. You should also replace the oil along with the filter.

The Signs:

When you get your car regularly serviced, changing the oil filter is one of the most crucial maintenance jobs because it’s vital to keeping your engine healthy.

Over the years, your oil filter traps billions of contaminants, which gradually clogs it with tiny particles. Because of this, the filter will become so blocked that clean oil won’t be able to pass through to the engine. When this happens, you may notice signs that will tell you the oil filter needs to be replaced, such as:

• Your engine is overheating
• You see a decline in your car’s performance
• Your exhaust fumes are dry
• Your oil pressure decreases

2. Windshield Wiper Blades

Windshield wiper blades start to break down after a year or two.

Living in Australia has some pros, but unfortunately, the health of your windshield wiper blades isn’t one of them, as, in hot climates, you have to replace them more frequently.

The Signs:

Because windshield wiper blades need to be changed frequently (every year or two), here are some of the signs to watch out for to know when to replace them:

• Squeaking: It’s time to replace your wipers if you hear a lot of dragging and squeaking from your wipers when they’re dragged across the glass. Any chattering indicates the rubber is not contacting the glass properly, as the plastic is being dragged across the glass. Without fixing this, you damage the windshield and risk having poor vision while driving.
• Streaking
• Splitting
• Smearing

3. Air Filter

Your car’s air filter’s lifespan is mainly affected by the driving conditions and terrain. So, if you love 4WD or do a lot of driving through bushland, dusty roads, and gravel terrain, it usually reduces the filter’s lifespan.

The air filter’s job is to prevent dirt, pebbles, and debris from getting into the engine. So, depending on what type of driving you do, it’s essential to keep an eye on the air filter condition.

Generally, air filters need to be replaced after three or four years, or between 48,000-80,500 kilometres.

The Signs:

Many signs will indicate to you that your car’s air filter needs to be replaced, such as:

• Reduced fuel economy
• Dirty spark plugs
• Strange engine sounds
• Check engine light illuminates
• Dirty air filter
• Reduced horsepower
• Black, sooty smoke expelled from the exhaust
• The smell of fuel once the car starts

4. Brake Components

The brakes are one of the most important elements of any car, so the brake fluid system requires regular maintenance.

Brake Pads

Applying pressure to the brake leads to wearing out of the brake pads. So, continuous wear necessitates the need to replace the brake pads.

The driving environment, such as stop-and-go in traffic, usually increases wear out. Besides, your driving style and the type of material used in brake linings typically affect the rate of wear.

Depending on how often you drive and the type of driving you do, brake pads generally need to be replaced after 48,000-112,600 kilometres. However, if you notice signs of worn brake pads, you should get them replaced immediately.

The Signs:

There are a few signs to take note of when it comes to worn brake pads, such as:

• Noises when braking: If you hear a screeching sound when you push down on the brakes, it’s a sign that they’re wearing down and need replacing.
• Steering wheel shudders: If you notice your wheel shudders or your car seems to pull to one side as you brake, that’s a sign not to be ignored. It’s a sign that they need immediate attention and replacement.
• Increased stopping distance: if your brakes take a while to slow down the car when you’ve applied pressure to them, it means they’re wearing down and becoming less effective, thus requiring replacement.

5. Car Battery

Any car owner knows that if there is a problem with the car battery, then there’s a problem with the entire car as the battery is needed to produce the power to start the engine.

Again, in hot climates like Australia, it’s recommended that you replace your car battery every three years.

You should also regularly check your car’s battery for dirty terminals and damaged cables in between services. The more you use the vehicle, the faster the battery will age, reducing your car’s performance.

The Signs:

The battery is one of the most important elements of the car, and these are the signs to look out for when it comes to knowing when to replace it:

• Slow starting engine: When components inside your car battery start to wear out and become less effective, the battery takes longer to create a charge for the starter, meaning you’ll have to wait a few extra seconds for the engine to turn over.
• Dim lights: Not only does the battery produce the power to start the engine, but it also powers all of the other electronics. So, when your battery is losing its charge, it’s harder to run the electronics, such as the lights, at optimum power.
• A bad smell: If your battery is damaged, it can cause it to leak gas and produce a bad smell. If this happens, take it to get checked immediately.

6. Tyres

Car tyres provide traction and grip in addition to making your car move due to their rotary motion. Constant friction, especially when driving on rough surfaces, causes wear on the tyre treads.

Driving with worn-out tyre treads is very dangerous, so tyres should be replaced after 5-7 years. However, you may need to replace your tyres sooner, depending on the quality of the tyres, mileage, and driving style.

Taking care of your tyres will not only keep money in your pocket but also prevent accidents and injuries on the road.

The Signs:

There are a few signs to look out for when it comes to knowing when it’s time to replace your tyres, such as:

Cracks and perished rubber: Driving with old or damaged tyres puts you at risk of your tyres blowing out at any time, along with your tyres failing to grip the road.
Leaking air: If you notice that your tyres are dropping in pressure or look deflated, it means that there may be a puncture or other damage.
Poor grip and tread: Without sufficient tread and grip, the tyre’s ability to grip a wet road is limited, making it almost impossible to stop, turn, accelerate, and corner.

Are Mechanics Just There To Take Your Money?

With the number of stories of dodgy mechanics who intentionally seek to rip off customers, it’s no wonder why so many people distrust and question the reliability and trustworthiness of some mechanics.

To avoid being taken for a ride, there are a couple of things you can do when it comes to choosing a reputable mechanic:

• Look for a reliable mechanic by asking questions and searching online. If you type in “mechanic near me”, you can find the closest mechanic and read their reviews from real customers.
• Ask your family, friends, or colleagues if they know or have experience with a reputable mechanic.
  Understand why your repair bill may have gotten so high by asking questions and doing your own research.
• Shop around: Shopping around is the name of the game here. To do this, it helps to know the general cost of repairs and services. Something to remember; cheaper is not always better.

Here at Novus, we specialise in car windscreen replacements and repairs, so no matter if you need to replace your windshield wipers or you have any questions talk to our team today.