Cars are essential in today’s society to take people from place to place and transport heavy items. A CEO of an automotive parts manufacturer like Patrick James Trico knows how important it is to outfit your automobile with quality parts to keep it going year after year. Here are three car parts, how they function, and some ways to take care of them.
1. Tires
The main functions of tires on a vehicle are to support the vehicle’s weight, transmit braking and acceleration to the pavement, absorb shocks and bumps from the road, and maintain or change direction. It is a good idea to replace your old tires with new ones regularly, as new tires improve the handling of your vehicle and provide more grip during wet and rainy weather. All-season tires have been shown to improve gas mileage by a small amount, but it may be necessary to get any one of these types of tires, depending on the predominant weather in your location and the type of vehicle that you drive:
- Winter tires, or snow tires, which contain tread with larger gaps to improve the vehicle’s handling and traction on snow and ice
- All-season tires, which perform well in a variety of weather conditions including rain and light snow
- Performance tires, which help improve the traction, responsiveness, and precision of sports cars
Watch out for common tire issues such as underinflation, overinflation, or improper alignment, which can cause tires to wear down faster than they would otherwise.
2. Engines
The primary purpose of an engine in a gasoline-powered car is to convert gasoline into motion so that your car goes where you want it to go. Some things that you can do to take good care of your engine include:
- Changing the oil every three months or 3,000 miles, more often if you tow a trailer or drive in stop-and-go traffic frequently
- Changing the fuel filter, air filter, and oil filter regularly
- Checking the spark plugs, spark plug wires, and PCV valve regularly
The average lifespan of an automobile engine is around eight years or 150,000 miles. However, the engines of newer cars with better technologies and designs can last up to 10 years or 200,000 miles. Taking good care of the motor will increase the chances that it will last its whole lifespan.
3. Brakes
Brakes are the mechanism that is responsible for stopping your vehicle as safely and quickly as possible. They work by employing friction provided by a brake shoe or brake pad. If your brakes need attention, they might feel spongy when pressure is applied, or a warning light may come on in your dashboard indicating a problem with the car’s hydraulic system. Sounds such as squeals and grinding can also indicate the need for a mechanic to check your brake system. Barring any significant issues, brakes should be inspected by a trusted mechanic at least once every year.
Keep these components of your vehicle in good shape to ensure that your car lasts as long as possible.
