BELTS AND HOSES
Typical Wear and Tear
Key items that affect the replacement interval for belts and hoses:
Vehicle age
Electrolytic corrosion
Mileage
Oil contamination
Belt tension
Failed hose clamps
Symptoms
Squeaking noise from under the hood during start-up or operation
Coolant leaks
Dashboard light will illuminate
A/C System may fail
Engine overheating
Smell of burnt rubber
BRAKE SYSTEM
Typical Wear and Tear
Brakes are a normal wear item for any car and eventually they’re going to need replacement. Avoid letting your brakes get to the “metal-to-metal” point, which usually means expensive rotor or drum replacement. Factors that affect wear include driving habits and quality of brake pads and shoes.
Symptoms
Car pulls to one side during braking
Pulsating brake pedal or steering wheel shake
Brake pedal feels “mushy”
Unusual noise when you step on the brake pedal
Repeatedly need to add brake fluid to the master cylinder
Brake fluid sprayed onto outside of wheel
Unusual odor or noise
EMISSION SYSTEM
Typical Wear and Tear
Some factors affecting the emission system include:
Driving and atmospheric conditions
Mileage
Vehicle age
Type of spark plug electrode material
Poor vehicle maintenance
Poor quality fuel
Damaged or worn sensors
Dry-rotted or cracked vacuum hoses
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
Typical Wear and Tear
Factors that affect the replacement of cooling system parts include:
Driving habits
Operating conditions
Type of vehicle
Type of coolant
Frequency of regular maintenance such as coolant changes
Symptoms
Overheating
Sweet smell
Leaks
Repeatedly need to add fluid
EXHAUST SYSTEM
Typical Wear and Tear
Maintain a safe car with regular exhaust system checks. Factors that affect replacement requirements include:
Driving habits (short trips take their toll on exhaust system life)
Road conditions (salt, road spray, bumps)
Vehicle type
Age of exhaust system parts
Symptoms
Loud noise
Rattling noise when starting, accelerating or braking
Drowsiness while driving
Rotten eggs smell
FILTERS AND FLUIDS
Typical Wear and Tear
Filters are normal wear items that require regular checks and replacement. Factors that affect replacement intervals include:
Mileage
Driving habits
Driving and road conditions
Type of filter
Vehicle type
Symptoms
Poor gas mileage
Hesitation while accelerating
Musty odor in the cabin
FUEL SYSTEM
Typical Wear and Tear
Intervals for fuel system maintenance may be influenced by:
Fuel quality
Vehicle age
Mileage/time
Operating conditions
Maintenance history
Symptoms
Poor fuel economy
Vehicle won’t start
“Check Engine” light is illuminated
LIGHTING AND WIPERS
Typical Wear and Tear
Lights and wipers are normal wear items that require periodic replacement. Factors affecting replacement intervals include:
Operating conditions (winter conditions are tough on wiper blades)
Frequency of use
Material and type of lights and wipers
Sunny weather – wiper blades can deteriorate faster and need more frequent replacement in desert states
Symptoms
Chattering or streaking wiper
Rapid signal blinking
Dimming lights
STARTING, CHARGING AND BATTERIES
Typical Wear and Tear
Driving habits such as frequent engine on/off cycles will cause more wear on the starter than a simple trip back and forth to work. Other factors include:
Driving and weather conditions
Mileage
Vehicle age
Excessive electrical draws like in-vehicle entertainment systems
Symptoms
Headlights and interior lights dim
“Check Engine” and/or battery light may come on
Accessories fail to operate
STEERING AND SUSPENSION
Typical Wear and Tear
Over time, steering and suspension components wear out and require replacement. Regular checks are critical to maintain a safe car. Factors that affect wear include:
Driving habits
Operating conditions (potholes in road)
Vehicle type
Type of steering and suspension system
Frequency of regular maintenance such as chassis lubrication and wheel alignment
Symptoms
Car pulls to one side
Uneven tire wear
Excessive noise, vibration or bouncing
Loss of control
TRANSMISSION
Typical Wear and Tear
Wear and tear on the transmission can be influenced by:
Driving habits
Towing or excessive loads
Operating conditions
Condition of the transmission fluid
Frequency of regular maintenance
Symptoms
Slipping
Hesitation
Bucking
Grinding gears
Difficulty shifting