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Owning a car means staying on top of its condition at all times. Why is this important? Every car is made up of various wear-and-tear parts that will bring difficulties to your drive should they malfunction. Here are some of the more common car parts that you need to know.
i. Car Tyres
When it comes to car tyres, the most common problems that plague drivers are under-inflated and over-inflated tyres and tyre wear.
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Under-inflated and Over-inflated tyres
Tyres that are low on pressure will have most of its surface come into contact with the road, increasing friction that can cause the tyres to overheat, which can lead to premature wear and even blowouts (a loss of pressure that results in the destruction of the tyre). If you occasionally feel that your car is heavier than normal when driving, you might have under-inflated tyres. How to check your car tyre’s pressure? Get a tyre pressure gauge or have the experts at Toyota check them out for you.
A car tyre with too much air pressure resembles an overfilled balloon. Over-inflated tyres have decreased traction and an increased wear and tear on the centre of the tyre. As a result, the car tyres will wear out way quicker than usual, with the worst case scenario being a blowout.
Another potential telltale sign is uneven car alignment, which might manifest in the tilting of the steering wheel when driving. How to check your car’s alignment? Specific machinery is needed to correct car alignment, so send your car to the experts at Toyota and have them help you.
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Tyre Treads Wearing Off
The surface of car tyres are always subject to wear, a tyre that’s completely worn out will not produce friction, which can be detrimental to your safety when driving on slippery roads.
Every tyre comes with tread wear indicators, which are visual indicators used to check wear level. How to check your tyre treads? The design of the indicators will differ with the tyre brand, so it helps to study and consult your car mechanic and the tyre brand. For instance, brands like Michelin use a small Michelin Man symbol on the shoulder of the tyre as their tread wear indicator. To know for sure, send your car to the experts at Toyota and they’ll be more than happy to help you verify.
IMPORTANT: As a rule of thumb, have your tyres inspected at least once every year.
ii. Car Battery
As you drive your car daily, you are actually indirectly monitoring your car battery levels. This includes the time it takes to start your car, the lighting up of the car dashboard, and whether the clock and preset radio stations restart itself. While those can be telltale signs of weak car battery levels, you will still need proper tools such as the Voltmeter, Multimeter or Power Probe to check your car battery and get accurate readings. While you can always purchase this equipment, it’s still best to get car experts to check your car battery levels to avoid any mishandling. Should you suspect that your car battery levels are low, contact your car mechanic to have them arrange for a replacement.
Here’s a tip on when to replace your car battery: A standard car battery lasts for about 2 years when the car is used regularly. If any of the telltale signs start showing around the 2-year mark, get it replaced as soon as possible.
iii. Head, Rear & Brake Lights
The head, rear and brake lights will not have warning signs. Most modern cars are now using LED lights, and LEDs normally last for around 10 years, so there’s no need to worry about getting them replaced.
However, to be safe, it is advisable to conduct a self-manual inspection every now and then. Have your car engine started and leave it in Park (P). Switch on the lights and step out of the car to check. For the brake lights, you might need a helping hand to observe from the rear as you step on your brakes. Otherwise, you can have your car parked close up to a wall to use its reflection of the brake light as an indicator.
iv. Wiper Blades
Wiper blades are responsible for your driving visibility during rain, therefore it’s important for them to be functioning properly at all times. Some of the warning signs include skipping, streaking, splitting and squeaking. The rule of thumb is to get them replaced once every six months to a year, or as soon as you notice a stark difference in driving visibility.
If you require expert advice and clarification on your car’s condition, leave it to the experts at Toyota Service Centres and you will be on the road with next-level peace of mind.
