When MUST You Change Your (Insert Car Part Here)

We like to pinch pennies too but there comes a time after we buy a car when we have to change certain car parts. How long can we stretch the lifespan of a particular component but avoid a breakdown or before it becomes dangerous? We’ve got the main key ones listed here for you…

…TYRES.

This can vary depending on your driving habits, driving conditions and climate and mileage. The lifespan of a tyre is five to even 10 years maximum. However, it’s time to change the tyre if the tread has worn down to the tread wear indicators (pictured below), there is a puncture larger than 6mm on the tyre tread or there is any damage to the sidewall.

…OIL.

The recommended oil change is usually every 3,000 miles or 3 months, whichever comes first. If you mostly drive in the city, though, this interval should be shorter. However, if you start to hear engine knocking, notice exhaust smoke and if, when you check the oil, it is dark and dirty, DELAY NO MORE and get the oil changed.

To lengthen the life of your engine oil, try the X-1R Engine Treatment additive which has been proven to improve fuel consumption as well as overall engine performance by reducing internal friction and wear.

…AIR FILTER.

There are two types of air filters in your car: one for the engine and one for the cabin.

The air filter for the engine requires changing every 30,000 to 45,000 miles, depending on the manufacturer’s recommendation, and less if you drive in “severe conditions”. Often you can tell by just looking at the air filter, which is easy to access. If there is any black area on the part where external air enters, it’s time for a change.

The cabin air filter requires more frequent replacements, every 15,000 to 30,000 miles, less if you drive in polluted areas. Most people would not even think to change this but you should not procrastinate anymore if you find that airflow is reduced, unpleasant odours are entering through the air vents and a significant amount of dust settles on the interior surfaces.

…WINDSHIELD WIPERS.

Most windshield wipers last between six months to a year. You should change them as soon as they no longer make proper contact with the windshield surface and therefore cannot clean it properly, thus affecting visibility while driving.

…WINDSHIELD.

Is there a chip or a crack on your windshield and should you repair or replace it? Well, a chip or small crack can usually be repaired unless it is too wide (more than 2 inches) or too deep (that it penetrates the inner layer). Once you have 3 or more chips/cracks or any that is wider than 12 inches, the structural integrity of the windshield has been compromised and probably should be replaced ASAP.

…TRANSMISSION FLUID.

Again, this varies greatly between 30,000 to 60,000 miles depending on driving habits, conditions and whether your car has an automatic or manual transmission. When the transmission fluid has deteriorated, it is darker, contains noticeable particles and debris and has a burnt smell. You’ll also notice transmission slips and rough shifting.

If you’d like to prolong the life of your transmission oil, try the X-1R Transmission Treatments (Auto and Manual available) which also promotes smoother shifting.

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..SPARK PLUG.

So, you might think that you can postpone changing the spark plugs until they completely fail and the car engine doesn’t start. But the performance of the spark plugs actually affects the overall performance of the engine, and deteriorated spark plugs result in higher fuel consumption, unresponsive acceleration, engine stalling, etc.

You’re supposed to change them every 30,000 to 90,000 miles depending on the vehicle. When you begin to experience engine knocking and rattling and poor acceleration, and it’s because of old spark plugs, it’s time to swap them for new ones because they are relatively inexpensive to change but continuing to use them could lead to costlier repairs.

… BATTERY.

You could wait until your car engine fails to start and you are stranded somewhere where it is most inconvenient to get help. However, if there is significant corrosion buildup (a little bit is normal) or leaking around the battery terminal, it’s time to throw the old battery out.