Samantha Higgins 3m 714 #carrepair
The views of this article are the perspective of the author and may not be reflective of Confessions of the Professions.
Like most drivers do, you probably already know you need to change your tires and your oil at certain intervals. However, there are probably a few things you didn’t know you had to change. These are five things that you might not know you need to change in your car, but it’s imperative that you do so:
1. Oil Filter
Not everyone knows that they have to have the oil filter changed whenever they have the oil changed. It’s not wise to skip out on changing this important component. The oil filter gets all of the harmful debris and elements out of the oil before it circulates to the engine. Failing to change the oil filter can cause it to become blocked and fail to filter the oil. If that happens, you’ll run the risk of having harmful, contaminated oil run through your engine. You don’t want that because it can ruin your engine. Filters are relatively inexpensive. Therefore, you should always make sure that the technician changes the filter during each oil change.
2. Fuel Filter
A fuel filter is another important car component that can save you money if you change it before it goes bad. The filter does to the fuel the exact thing that the oil filter does to the oil. It cleans the fuel before it circulates into your system. Failure to change your fuel filter in a timely fashion can lead to a fuel pump failure. A fuel pump failure will be much more costly for you to resolve.
3. Cabin Air Filter
Your car typically has two air filters in it. It has an engine air filter that filters the air before it goes into the engine. It also has a cabin air filter that filters the air you breathe when you use the HVAC system. It’s imperative that you change your car cabin air filter so that you and your passenger will always breathe in clean air. You should have this checked the next time you have your car maintenance, and you should have it changed in a timely fashion. It can save you a lot of trouble with allergies and illnesses in the end.
4. Coolant
You need to change the antifreeze or coolant in your vehicle at least once every few years. The coolant is responsible for keeping your engine at a set temperature so that it doesn’t overheat. Coolant is also supposed to protect the vehicle from icing over in the wintertime. Over time, coolant becomes contaminated and can rust your radiator if you do not have it replaced. It can also cause problems in your car’s cooling system, and those problems can result in an overheating situation. You can also have problems if you or someone else puts the wrong coolant in your vehicle. The manufacturer recommends a certain type of coolant, and you will be better off using that coolant for your car to avoid problems.
A reliable mechanic can drain and clean your entire cooling system for a relatively small amount. This individual can also replace your coolant with the appropriate type for your car. The procedure will most likely take less than an hour to perform, and then you can ease your mind knowing that someone has taken the steps to keep your car safe when it comes to the cooling system.
5. Serpentine Belt
The Serpentine belt or drive belt runs some of the most crucial components of your car. They’re responsible for running items such as the alternator, power steering pump, and the like. You may not need to have this changed as often as you change some of the other items discussed earlier. However, you definitely need to have someone check it for cracks, shreds, and so forth. You will have a world of problems if the serpentine belt fails on you while you’re driving. You will lose power steering abilities, and you may lose power, as well. It’s better to be on the safe side and have the belt checked regularly.
Start Keeping Your Car in Shape ASAP
Now you know some of the odds and ends you’ll need to change in your car to keep it running well and avoid breakdowns as much as possible. Have these items checked today to improve your chances of keeping a well-running car.
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