Top 10 vehicle maintenance items ignored by vehicle owners.. Mechanics do you agree?
While on deliveries to our mechanic customers, we often spend time to chat and learn about their experiences and share in some of their findings. Over the last few months, the team at Capital Equipment has been researching some of the critical basic maintenance items often neglected by drivers and vehicle owners and we have found some interesting findings, starting from the least neglected to the most neglected:
10. Oil Change
Atleast 3 in 10 drivers fail to have their oil changed at the right time, However, an oil change makes a huge difference in protecting your engine and ensuring its components are well protected, late oil changes tend to place pressure on engine components as the additives break down and lose its lubricating properties. So, make sure and get advice from your owner's manual or mechanic on the correct oil change interval as it may differ depending on the oil being used.
9. Windshield Wipers
Streaking and squeaking! That's all you need to lookout for to know if your wipers need changing. The capital equipment team has found that 5 in 10 drivers pay little attention to changing their wiper blades. The key for successful wiper changing is knowing the length of your wiper blades, which can be taken using a measuring tape. Most auto part retailers usually keep measuring tape at their counters which they can lend. If you visit a service centre that has wipers available for sale they often change it free of charge with your purchase.
8. Engine Air Filter
In the simplest terms engine air filters, help clean and purify the quality of air that is used in the combustion of the engine. The more particles you keep out of the engine the better its performance. A clogged air filter can seriously affect engine performance. Air filters are perhaps one of cheapest and simplest replacements to carry out.
7. Timing Belt
A slightly more complicated maintenance item is the engine's timing belt which helps to coordinate the camshafts and crankshafts, in the simpler terms ensure that their air intake, exhaust and combustion are synchronised to deliver power to your wheels. (This is a topic by itself, forgive the simplicity of it, you car guys). Roughly 7 in 10 drivers are unaware of this and rightly so, as its a bit more uncommon to have this changed frequently. If you are approaching the 100,000 kilometer mark, you ought to be paying attention to hearing what your mechanic has to say about changing your timing belt, since a broken timing belt can mean one thing - a new engine, a hefty cost no one wants.
6. "Fan Belt"
Voted as the most irritating noise in the automotive industry by Capital Equipment customers and staff members is the "fan belt". However the fan belt lovingly named by generations is correctly called the serpentine belt and uses the engine rotation to power the water pump, fan, power steering pump, air conditioning compressor, alternator and other components. Different car models may have multiple belts, so again excuse our simplicity, we are keeping it simple! Nonetheless, drivers fail to check this and the irritating wretched song that is perhaps the greatest head turner in any car park should be checked once you have crossed over 100,000 kilometers or when you start to hear those momentary squealing.
5. Engine Coolant
Cooling is critical in helping maintain your engine's temperature as it help reduces friction by moving heat away. Overtime, coolant can become acidic, losing its rust inhibiting capabilities causing corrosion. Corrosion can lead to damaging your radiator, hoses, water pump and thermostat. So ensure you not only change your coolant every 40,000 kilometers with an approved formula from your vehicle manufacturer.
4. Tyres
Another "most often missed" maintenance items on your vehicle's checklist are tyres. Atleast, 8 - 10 drivers or 80% of the drivers fail to check their tyres. The correct tyres can not only improve safety but also help with gas consumption, braking and an overall quieter more comforting ride. So if you are one of those 8 in 10 people, get to a tyre shop soon and have your tyres checked.
3. Transmission Fluid
Transmissions are perhaps the most complicated vehicle component according to some Capital Equipment staff members. In a nutshell, a transmission helps convert the engine's power to momentum or provide power to the wheels of the vehicle. Given the complex technology and variations in transmission design, Capital Equipment recommends one thing, visit a qualified mechanic if you have any concerns as some vehicle manufacturers have oil change intervals, while others recommend to not interfere with the transmission. Key point here, find out from a "qualified" technician.
2. Battery
The battle for 1st place and 2nd place was a close one. There is only one way you can save yourself one of the biggest vehicle-owning pain points - "a dead battery" by simply carrying your vehicle to have its battery tested every 2-3 months. As your battery gets older, you should make every effort to have this checked. Many battery service centers and mechanics can easily test your battery and some even offer this service free of charge! They also will be able to advise on any tell tale signs as well as carry out diagnostics to let you know when you should have your battery tested.
1. Brake Fluid
Coming in at number #1, is brake fluid! Over time, brake fluid captures moisture and causes your brake pedal to feel unusual. If you find that your brake pedals are bouncy or spongy then perhaps you have air in your braking system, which develops over time due to the "hydroscopic" nature of brake fluid, which simply means it can absorb moisture which in turn, under pressure and heat can turn to gas or air pockets. To avoid this feeling have your fluid changed every 30,000 - 40,000 kilometres.
We hope that this has helped enlightened you on some areas to pay attention to and raise awareness of critical maintenance points. We recommend that you always seek professional advice from a mechanic, preferably a trained and qualified individual who can advise you correctly. Thanks for reading and stay safe on the roads.
Joe
The Capital Equipment Guy