The Most Expensive Car Maintenance Costs

When you are in the market to buy a car, you know sooner or later you will face repairs. All car parts will eventually wear out potentially causing your car to break down. Because your car is an important part of your life, you must keep up with maintenance to make sure your car stays in great condition.

We put together these guidelines to help you understand what repairs could be a big problem for you. Staying up on maintenance can save you from expensive repairs and provide your car with a longer life.

Replacing Brake Pads & The Rotor

This is one repair that can be expensive if you do not follow the recommendations from the manufacturer. Once brake pads wear down, ranging from 2.5 to 3.0 mm, they must be replaced. Vehicles now come with built-in brake pad indicators that will send a signal to the dashboard when an indicator comes in contact with the rotor. In order to prevent costly repairs, it’s advisable you ask your mechanic to check the brake pads’ thickness when your car is in for maintenance.

Replacing The Catalytic Converter

The catalytic converter helps minimize excessive emissions from entering the environment. If the catalytic converter is not operating properly your car will not pass the polution test. Although the converter is expected to last for a good amount of time, it can be damaged if you drive over bumps at a high speed, the engine is burning off oil, or you are using the wrong oil. To prevent the catalytic converter from being replaced, make sure you use the correct oil in your car, check the oil regularly and drive carefully over bumps.

Replacing The Head Gasket

The head gasket plays an important role by preventing coolants from coming in contact with engine oil. There are signs if the head gasket has become damaged including oil appearing like white milk, the loss of coolants even though there are no detected leaks and bubbles forming in the coolant overflow in the radiator or tank. To avoid head gasket replacement, make sure your engine does not overheat, regularly check the coolant and change it out when needed. Another way to protect the head gasket, replace any worn-out belts and/or hoses.

Replacements Due To Cylinder or Serious Engine Failure

Engine failure is probably the most expensive repair you could possibly go through. If you discover serious damage to the engine block or have cylinder failure, you will probably have to replace the engine. Research has shown that car owners who do not have routine maintenance performed on a regular basis can end up with engine breakdown. Some of the leading causes include not changing out the oil in a timely manner, not maintaining the cooling system, or ignoring oil leaks. All of these avoidable situations will lead to engine failure. This is preventable if you contact your mechanic and have the car inspected on a regular basis.

Replacing The Suspension Components

You probably know the suspension keeps the chassis from hitting the ground but you might not know anything about the various components. The suspension components include control arms, shocks, struts, tie rods and springs. It can be inexpensive to replace one component but very expensive to replace all the components. In order to prevent a complete suspension overhaul, you should pay attention to how your car is driving. Examples include, the car is swinging to one side, it feels bumpier than usual, or you are picking up on other suspension issues. You need to take your car to a mechanic for maintenance or face repairs.

Replacing The Timing Belt

The timing belt, also called the cambelt, function is to connect the crankshaft of your car to the engine base to make sure the valves close and open correctly. This part of the car goes through a lot of wear and tear and can lead to other problems if the timing belt becomes damaged which can also lead to engine damage. Damaged or worn-out timing belts can add to severe damage to the connecting rods, camshaft, valves and pistons. If you check the timing belt, you will be able to tell if it has issues. It might have missing teeth, show visible signs of cracking, or cause a ticking sound from the engine. To prevent future expenses, replace the belt according to the car’s manufacturer’s recommended schedule.

Replacing The Fuel Injector

The fuel injector is an electronically controlled component that sprays the right amount of fuel into the engine. It creates the correct amount of air and fuel mixture for maximum combustion. Injectors disperse fuel at a suitable spray pattern, pressure and angle. The signs that the injector is not operating properly include poor fuel mileage, gas smells, leaking fuel, or the engine misfires. Even though the injectors will wear out and have to be replaced, you can extend the life through regular maintenance. When you go for maintenance make sure the mechanic cleans the injectors as recommended by the manufacturers.

Replacing The Camshaft

The camshaft helps to control the air intake in your engine. If little to no maintenance has been performed on the camshaft, it will become clogged with debris and dirt and eventually fail. Even though the camshaft is not expensive to replace, the cost for labor can be significant. To avoid costly bills and keep the camshaft in good condition, have it cleaned and inspected when you go to your mechanic for a regular inspection or oil change. If you keep the camshaft clean, you will decrease the chances of damage.

Replacing The Transmission

The transmission is a complicated system that drives your car because it converts engine power into power that is used by the driveshaft which in turn powers the wheels. If the transmission fails, you will be looking at extremely expensive repairs because other important components might be damaged as well. Not changing your transmission fluid will add to the failure of this component. Signs of failure include humming sounds when your car is parked, strange burning smells, a dragging clutch, or the transmission slips. Cut back on aggressive driving so your engine can run smoothly. During the winter months, allow your car to warm up before moving off.

Replacing Tyres

Although your tyres will eventually be replaced, you can cut back on replacements if you keep them maintained. Ensure your tyres are inflated to the recommended manufacturer’s requirements and check the threads on a regular basis.

In Conclusion

It’s wonderful to buy a new car or a well-maintained used car, but to keep it running well takes paying attention to its entire operation. Most people will depend on their mechanics to take care of the maintenance and inspection of their car as most people do not have a clue what to do or what the various components do for the operation of their car. Hopefully, these guidelines about the components will help you have a clearer picture of what makes your car run properly. With regular maintenance and oil changes, your car should be with you for a very long time.

If your vehicle needs servicing or repairing book online today and receive a free vehicle service check or for further information on our services you can browse the site or get in touch with us by calling 019253 30468 or alternatively, you can email us at service@lowtonmotorcompany.co.uk.