Determining the Average Life Span of Essential Car Parts

Most car lovers out there are just fanatical about taking care of their pride and joy, which is a really good attitude to have if one really wants to make the most out of his investment.

It is true that with the wear and tear of everyday use, the value of a car decreases in time. But with the proper care coupled with the right knowledge of when to replace certain car parts, a car’s life span can be prolonged while it’s usage maximized. Here are some guidelines for determining the average life span of essential car parts.

Radiator

It is the radiator’s job to cool down the car by pumping the coolant throughout the engine and its surrounding parts. If left unchecked, the heated coolant might damage your car’s precious engine. Thus it is best to keep your radiator in perfect working condition by replacing the coolant as often as your manual says. If all goes well, the ever-important radiator may last 8-10 years. Not bad, eh?

Leaf Spring

The leaf spring is the main reason why a car’s ride can be considered “smooth”. This is the mechanism that the suspension uses to correct the height of the ride and keep the tires and alignment angles in proper position. If a faulty leaf spring is not replaced, this could mean tire troubles as the weight of the car falls on an uneven balance. For larger vehicles like trucks, the average life span of a leaf spring is shorter: 5 1/2 years.

Spark Plug

Inside the engine, fuel and oil mix and combust to make the pistons move, allowing the wheels to start turning. It is the spark plug that creates a spark to combusts the oil and fuel. Maintaining and replacing spark plugs need not be an arduous task. The rule of thumb is, if you are having trouble with ignition, or if your car stalls a bit more often than you’d expect, then it’s time for you to change your spark plug. Generally speaking though, spark plugs can last up to 100,000 kilometers.

Alternator

The alternator is responsible for producing electricity that flows into the battery which is used to run the electric components of the car. If the alternator malfunctions, the lights, radio, and other electrical devices will not work. It is best changed at 160,000 kilometers.

Fuel Pump

The fuel pump makes sure that there is enough fuel for the engine to combust to keep the car running. On average, fuel pumps needs a replacement at 120,000 kilometers.

Cars, when treated and taken cared of, may last longer than the prescribed life span that manufacturers state. Thus, it is really important to care for one’s car by maintaining it regularly, checking on broken components, and replacing the necessary parts as prescribed.