Vehicle Problems That Arise Because of a Lack of Preventative Maintenance

If you are among the estimated 1.4 billion drivers in the world chances are you have experienced some form of “car trouble” in your time. This could be worn brake pads, a shaky steering wheel, or maybe some inexplicable “bumping” from under the hood. No matter the quality in manufacturing, all parts that make up an automobile have a finite lifespan and will eventually need repairs or be replaced. That is why vehicles are designed with specifically scheduled routine maintenance and it is detrimental to maintaining your car’s longevity and value.

What Is Preventative Maintenance? 

Preventative maintenance is the routine check-up for your vehicle to ensure that all parts are in working order. The exact times and specifications will be in your vehicle’s owner’s manual. These are things such as;

• Inspecting the tread on your tires
• Tire rotation and alignment
• Checking belts and hoses for cracks or bulges
• Checking and replacing fluids (engine oil + filter, brake fluid, coolant, transmission, etc)
• Examining and switching out air filters as needed
• Clearing battery terminals of corrosion and checking the connections
• Ensuring all headlights, turn signal, parking and brake lights are functioning properly

Not skipping on your automobile’s regularly scheduled maintenance is crucial. Without it, a common, minor inconvenience can turn into a much worse issue down the road, costing you more money and hassle than before.

What will happen if I skip maintenance? 

Failing to keep up early, routine preventative maintenance can lead to major issues and shorten the length of your car’s longevity.

Oil 

You may be tempted to push your vehicle longer than you should before getting an oil change. Don’t. Getting your oil changed on time will prevent early wear and tear on your engine.

• Without enough clean oil, parts of your engine will start to grind together and wear down 
• Friction could lead to overheating 
• Built-up contaminants could cause your engine to work harder, shortening its life 

Keeping your engine oil and oil filter clean makes for less work, and an overall healthier, more productive engine. On average you should replace your oil in older cars every 3,000 miles, whereas newer cars can go as far as 5,000 – 7,500, but always check with your owner’s manual for specific guidelines.

Tires 

It is important to check and maintain your vehicle’s tires. Poorly aged, improper, or damaged tires could lead to a serious or even fatal accident.

• Bald tires are prone to blowouts, hydroplaning, and a loss of control
• Poor tread leads to increased stopping distance in wet or icy conditions
• Improper fittings can compromise control, you could overturn or your brakes could fail 
• Misaligned tires can pull to one side, causing difficulty in steering and braking
• Unbalanced tires cause poor fuel economy, uneven tread wear, and vibration in the steering wheel at higher speeds

Check for any bulging or damage on your tires and inspect your tread and tire pressure at least once every month.

Brakes 

One of the most-used components of your vehicle is the brakes, without them you can’t stop. Even having worn-out brakes can lead to a delay in braking distance, creating unsafe driving conditions for you and your fellow motorists.

• Worn brake pads are less effective and take longer to slow down or stop your vehicle 
• Old pads can cause damage to calipers and rotors, leading to the replacement of parts prematurely
• They can also cause unnatural shaking and vibrations throughout your vehicle
• The improper function can even lead to uneven tread wear on tires, even throwing them off balance

Always check with your owner’s manual first but a good rule of them is to have your brakes inspected every 20,000 – 30,000 miles or one to two years.

Battery 

Your battery is responsible for starting your vehicle’s engine and getting power to electronic components. It is important to maintain a properly functioning battery.

• A dying battery could result in a failure to turn over or start
• Your headlights may not function properly or at all if the battery is low
• Built-up corrosion or loose terminal connections could cause a failure to supply power
• Random dashboard lights can light up or fail to light up
• Components such as power windows or locks could fail to function properly

Batteries play an important role in safety and convenience. On average you should check your battery twice per year and plan on replacing it every 3-5 years.

 

Belts and Hoses 

Some of the most overlooked components of your vehicle are also some of its most vital. Belts are responsible for actions such as allowing the crankshaft to turn the camshaft, which is needed for your engine to function properly. Belts maintain your engine’s functions and timing, which if off by even a few milliseconds could spell disaster.

Hoses carry gas, air, and other important fluids such as coolant to your engine, radiator, heating block, etc. 

• Cracked, torn, or worn belts can cause valves to misfire and the engine may overheat
• Faulty timing can cause damage to pistons, valves, and cylinder heads
• A bad hose could also be the cause of engine overheating due to improper cooling 

Inspect your belts and hoses regularly. Be on the lookout for faded, cracked, or torn belts as well as bulging, cracks, or soft spots on hoses. Catching these things early could save your engine and you a lot of time and money.

Windshields, Windows, and Mirrors 

Visibility is the name of the game when it comes to driving. Without it, how can you drive safely and confidently? You have undoubtedly seen how dirty the glass sections of your vehicle get as time goes on. Imagine having nothing between you and the dirt and debris flying in the air. Windshields and your surrounding mirrors and windows not only create comfort but also safety.

• Windshields protect you from wind, dirt, rocks, and even insects
• Your windshield and windows allow  you to travel at higher speeds without having to combat fatigue from wind blasts at high speeds
• Because of the materials used, the glass on your car can be helpful in absorbing UV rays from the sun
• Cracks in windshields and mirrors can limit visibility and reliability, leading to dangerous driving conditions
• Degraded windshield wiper blades can also contribute to poor visibility in dirty or stormy conditions.

Don’t let a seemingly mundane chip or crack turn into a much larger, hazardous condition for the operation of your vehicle. Putting off such issues can put you at risk of greater threat as well as compromise the safety of others around you. Make sure to also replace your windshield wiper blades as needed, which could be once every year or more depending on existing conditions.

Vehicles Are Complex, Caring For Them Shouldn’t Be 

Automobiles are composed of many moving parts with varying functions. It can seem an incredibly overwhelming task to try and keep on top of everything, but it doesn’t have to. All vehicles are designed with their complexity in mind, that is why manufacturers include very detailed owner’s manuals that contain everything you will need to know to keep your automobile running properly and for a long time to come. There is also no shortage of expertly designed checklists, like this one, to make it easy to track and support your vehicle’s regular preventative maintenance schedule.