Workshops want to do their part to contribute to road safety and minimize the environmental impact of cars, but drivers can do a lot if we take care of our vehicles. Above all, these ten points:
1. Shock absorbers
Shock absorbers provide driving comfort and represent a guarantee of safety as they help 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 functioning of a shock absorber depends on various factors, such as road condition, vehicle load, mileage and wear effects such as cold, heat and humidity. The action of these factors causes the effect of the shock absorber to gradually reduce, until it stops working correctly. As the wear is not very noticeable to the driver, it is advisable to carry out periodic checks every 20,000 kilometers.
2. Wiper blades
In case of rain, the windshield wiper blades play a fundamental role. If they do not sweep well and do not correctly evacuate water (or hail or snow), they prevent precious information from reaching our eyes. A few seconds can be vital.
You can extend the life of your windshield wipers. Of course, when the brushes leave areas to be swept, cause strange fogging, make noise or skip, the time has come to replace them. ASETRA advises how appropriate your change after summer. 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 control them at least once a year. Various types of filters are mounted on vehicles:
Normal engine wear involves the appearance of metal particles that break off from the components and end up in the lubricant. The oil filter’s mission retain these particles than impair engine performance or even seriously damage it.
Given that the oil replacement periods have been greatly extended in new vehicles and despite the fact that the quality of the filters has improved significantly, it is essential to replace this element every time the lubricant is changed. If you dare to change the oil yourself, you can follow these seven steps.
A filter in good condition ensures that the air reaching the engine Does not contain abrasive particles. In this way, combustion takes place in the best conditions and fuel consumption remains at the levels included in the vehicle catalog, as occurs with polluting emissions.
It is important that the filter is always checked during vehicle maintenance operations. The end of your life depends a lot on the places you travel through. Hence, in case of walking around dusty roads Usually, it is necessary to replace it much more frequently than if you drive through much cleaner environments.
Its operation differs if it is a vehicle. gasoline: remove impurities from the fuel before they reach the engine, while in vehicles that run on diesel fuel They serve to eliminate water and prevent corrosion of the metal elements of the engine. In both cases, your task is essential to ensure engine health. They must be checked whenever the vehicle enters the workshop for maintenance.
If the rest of the filters that are mounted in a vehicle are intended to guarantee the health of the car’s engine, the cabin filter takes care of the health of its occupants. How do you do it? “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 those with allergies, in addition to providing a feeling of cleanliness and well-being inside the cabin. Important especially when traveling with someone allergic.
4. Tires
Many factors influence the useful life of a tire: from the tire components themselves and storage prior to sale, to the user’s driving style, or the weather and characteristics of the pavement on which it rolls. Therefore, it is very difficult to determine an estimated number of kilometers (there are brands that last longer than others). However, as it is the link between the car and the road, its role in safety is essential.
You must correctly maintain the pressure ratings recommended by the manufacturer. It is advisable that you always be very aware of the appearance of vibrations and noises, the abnormal wear (greater in some areas than in others), of any strange behavior detected during braking. The time for change may have come and they may even notify us 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 kilometers. If you travel more kilometers, it is advisable to visit the workshop beforehand.
5. Brakes
With the brakes in poor condition we will need more meters to stop the car in any emergency. The wear of brake system components depends greatly on the driving characteristics and also the usual environment in which the vehicle travels (traffic jams in cities, mountain routes, with many curves, etc.).
Therefore, it is very important that this system be 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, takes a while 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 useful life of lubricants has greatly increased in modern cars. 20 years ago, the average change was around 5,000-8,000 kilometers, but today vehicle manufacturers talk about longer replacements, above the 30,000 kilometers for their new models… although delaying more than 15,000 kilometers Changing lubricants causes the engine to suffer excessively.
Workshops advise checking the level of the lubricant tank (every 1,500 kilometers), an excellent habit that saves many scares… and that saves trouble and money. If you must replenish, 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 mandatory to carry spare lamps in the car (due to the difficulty of mounting them and even the electrical risks that the changing operation may entail in certain vehicles), we must not forget that it is mandatory to maintain the lighting system. lighting and signage in optimal conditions.
For this, it is convenient check monthly the proper functioning of all lights (position, dipped, road, brake, reverse, turn signals and fog lights) and maintain their outer surface 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 gases leaving the engine. Its deterioration cannot be avoided, due to its hard work, especially when driving a lot through cities or on uneven surfaces. You will notice leaks or corrosion due to a lack of engine power and for him increase in lubricant consumption.
Likewise, and according to the main manufacturers, driving with catalysts (highly in demand by friends of other people) or defective exhaust pipes can increase fire danger of the vehicle and cause suffocation and poisoning in closed places.
Catalysts stop covering their environmental protection function at 80,000 km, so it is worth checking them after 80,000 km. 60,000 kilometers. To avoid damaging it, it is recommended avoid stepping on curbs and warm up the vehicle by keeping the car idling for a couple of minutes before starting the drive.
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 a serious and expensive breakdown in the engine.
It is practically impossible for the average driver to detect deterioration (you can always pay attention), so the best forecast is replace it for 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 a belt and a 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 clean point nearest. And if you plan to retire your car, do it responsibly.
(NOTE: Article originally published on 05/20/2012. On 05/23/2012 we uploaded the pdf file with the Asetra maintenance tips, in case anyone wants to print these tips. And on 12/26/2019 we updated the text )
