Important Car Components You Should Maintain Regularly

image credit: John Whitton (flickr.com)

Cars need proper maintenance in order to run efficiently. With the exception of some important parts, you don't need to actually test each car component every day just to make sure they are working properly. A good observation of the vehicle's sound and running performance is sometimes sufficient to let you know that it is in good shape. But there are certain parts that need greater attention than the rest. Ensuring that they are in proper working condition can help to keep your car efficient and safe for years.

Oil

Engine oil is the thing that keeps the rotating parts of your engine moving without heating up or getting worn out. It lubricates the parts and allows them to move smoothly. But leaving oil for too long inside the crank case is not good. Oil works to lubricate the parts, but its extended use can cause it to lose its viscosity or thickness which prevents moving parts from making friction. This can cause damage to the engine parts. Oil that's been used for too long can contain small bits of metal which is no longer safe for your engine. It is always a good idea to change oil at least once for every five months of use. This will keep your oil viscous and free from contaminants while it is stored in your car's engine.

For new cars, you can determine if its oil needs replacement because it has a monitoring system keeps track of the oil viscosity and volume. Oil that's too thin can not help to protect your engine parts from wearing out faster.

Air Filter

This is the component that keeps your car engine take in clean air when it is running. A clogged air filter reduces the power of the engine and increases its gas consumption. Under normal conditions, you should have your air filter changed once in every 7,500 to 10,000 miles of use. But if your car runs on dusty roads on a daily basis, you should change air filter more frequently.

Brake Pads

The brakes are one of the most important car components because it involves safety. There are no hard and fast rules on the frequency and length of time brake pads need to be replaced. The need to change them is dependent solely on your driving style, the size of your vehicle and the quality of your brake pads.

For some cars, knowing that the brake pad is worn out can be done with the help of a mechanic. But for some modern cars such as the BMW, this is no longer a problem because they are fitted with a sensor that detects when the brake pads wear down.

Another way to determine if your brake pads are worn out is to watch out for a scraping sound every time you apply the brakes. This sound serves as a warning that your brake pads are wearing out. If this sound escalates into a rough grinding noise, it is the ultimate sign that you have to change your brake pad at once.

Tires

Tires don't just allow your car to run and take you to places. They also work to keep you safe because they provide traction and prevent your car from swerving off the road. They stop effectively every time the brakes are applied. To make sure that your tires are safe to use, you must see to it that they are thick and their tread is deep enough to provide traction. Inflating the tires to the car manufacturer's standards is a way to make the car run smoothly. It takes years for tires to get worn out. If your tires are no longer new, you should inspect them once in a while. If you notice that their treads are getting even with their ridges, you should buy a complete set of tires to make sure that all four are running evenly for your convenience and safety.

Your car has many components and most of them are necessary, but there are only a few that really need regular maintenance. The four components that we mention here are the most important. You should see to it that these are well taken care of to keep your car safe and in good running condition for a long time.

And even more importantly, take your car to a reputable car maintenance team. If you're like most Subaru owners in Colorado, it is imperative that you trust only the best subaru repair Denver team to handle your car with care!