The 7 Most Common Car Part Replacements

Cars are getting older and older.

For instance, there are now 14 million cars being driven that are over 25 years old. According to the same source, that figure was at 8 million in 2002.

Clearly, cars can last a long time if they’re given the right love and care!

However, the older they get, the more likely it is that certain parts will require replacing and that the car will require auto repair. A lesson I learned the hard way as a kid with my first car back in the day, when I ended up frying the coilover in my car and spent 3 weeks trying to find new Miata coilovers to replace it. Indeed, replacement parts are a key means of keeping cars on the road for as long as possible.

But what are the most common parts of a car that require changing over time?

Keep reading to discover 7 of the most common car part replacements.

1. Spark Plugs

Spark plugs are first on our list of common car part replacements.

Thankfully, it’s an easy one to change. Indeed, many car owners choose to do it for themselves. It’s best to follow the owner’s manual to locate the plugs. When you do, it’s simply a matter unscrewing the old ones and putting the new ones in their place!

However, it’s good practice to give the threads a clean first, and add some grease to the inside of the new ones before screwing them in.

There are numerous signs that it might be time for new spark plugs. These include: trouble starting the car and having difficulty accelerating as normal.

2. The Battery

The battery is another common car part that needs replacing on a regular basis.

Indeed, some experts recommend having it changed as standard every 4 to 5 years. Depending on your level of expertise, you might want to take it down to the mechanic to get the job done.

It’s all too easy to damage the battery unnecessarily. From leaving the lights on overnight to switching the air conditioner on when the car’s turned off. All sorts of poor practices can negatively impact the battery.

The clearest sign of a problem is when the car doesn’t start and that is when you need to keep the spare parts in hand. So lets say you have VW Beetle model then you should keep Beetle Spare Parts available all the time. A jump start may do the trick. But if it’s totally out of juice, then a replacement will be the only way forward.

Be sure to check the battery for damage at frequent intervals. Look out for dirty terminals and obvious signs of wear and tear.

3. Brake Pads

One thing you don’t want a problem with is your brakes!

It’s important to change the pads every 3 to 5 years. That said, the need to replace them will vary according to numerous factors. The type of vehicle, the brake linings, and the style of driving will all have a significant impact.

For example, heavier vehicles typically experience a quicker wearing of the pads. Likewise, regular stopping and starting (especially pressing hard on the brakes) will soon result in worn brake pads.

There’ll be a significant difference between an NA Miata and a Land Rover Discovery. Lighter vehicles, driven slower, tend to enjoy greater life longevity of their pads.

4. Head and Tail Lights

Lights will need changing regularly too.

That’s particularly true if you do a lot of driving in the night time. Obviously, that will entail greater use of the lights. It’s likely that bulbs will need replacing every 6 years or so.

Remember the importance of your lights. Dimmed bulbs reduce visibility to a dangerous level. Driving with no lights at all is simply foolish.

Another worthy point of interest is the type of bulb that’s in place. Filament bulbs, for example, can be damaged (and need replacing sooner) through rough terrain and bumps in the road. That isn’t the case for other types that don’t have a filament, such as xenon bulbs.

Of course, it isn’t only the bulb that can cause problems. Fuses, relays, and wiring are other common areas that cause issues. Be sure to replace anything as necessary.

These days, the glass is more likely to crack than shatter. However, it’s still a significant hindrance to safe driving. Equally, a minor chip can quickly worsen. All it takes is a bump in the road to turn it into a crack but it can be fixed by glass repair Oakland.

5. Windshield

It’s all too easy to have something, like a stone, fly off the road into your windshield. Plus, if you’re in a car accident then you will need to replace your windshield because it will have likely been damaged in the crash. To get a quote on how much it may cost to get repaired or replaced, visit glass.net repairs.

If you’re unlucky, then that debris leads to chips, cracks and even shattered screens.

As soon as something happens it’s important to apply clear tape. This can prevent the crack from spreading. That said, this is nothing more than a temporary fix. It’s vital that the windshield is replaced as soon as possible.

6. Tires

You can’t (or shouldn’t) drive without an adequate set of tires.

Poor tires have a serious negative impact. Expect worse traction on the road, potential blowouts, and reduced mileage. It’s in your interest to change your tires every 5 to 7 years.

However, that will depend on the number of miles driven in that time.

More distance covered means more regular tire changes and vice versa. Likewise, the way you drive can impact the longevity of them. Speedy Gonzalez will need to change his tires far more regularly. Aggressive driving and cornering equal greater wear.

7. Door Key Remote

Technically speaking, this isn’t part of the car.

But it can stop you driving! We thought it was worth including. Essentially, those keyless entry systems may come in handy the majority of the time. Yet they can absolutely fail. Sod’s law means it happens when you can least afford it to!

There’s all sort of room for error. From failing to operate, or locking/unlocking without pressing the button. Your key is likely to stop working over time.

Be sure to replace the battery in your key on a regular basis. This will ensure it behaves as normal!

The Most Common Car Part Replacements

There you have it: 7 of the most common car part replacements, click this link to learn more.

Cars are staying roadworthy for increasing periods of time. However, as we’ve seen, the only way that happens is if essential maintenance is carried out on a regular basis. Parts need replacing in order to keep the car on the road. Consequently, if you need any car parts for your vehicle, websites such as Compare Parts offer a wide selection and stock parts for most car brands and manufacturers.

Hopefully, the information above has highlighted the primary parts you should expect to replace over time!

Like this post? Be sure to read more about promoting the longevity of your vehicle on the blog.