An auto repair involves diagnosing and treating the problem that affects car performance. Car maintenance, on the other hand, involves taking steps to prevent problems and maintain vehicle performance. When you repair your car, you are being reactive, whereas, when you maintain your car, you are being proactive. Regular maintenance can save you money and a lot of headache down the road.
Common Car Repairs
Like other machines, cars can run into problems every now and then. These problems can affect your vehicle’s performance, ride quality, and safety. It is therefore important to address car issues as soon as possible.
Here are some common car repairs.
➢ Spark Plug Replacement: As the name suggests, spark plugs produce the spark that ignites the fuel. In addition to affecting gas mileage, faulty spark plugs can cause misfires, rough idling, and hard starts. They wear out and should be replaced at regular intervals. Spark plugs can last anywhere between 30k and 150k miles. Incorrectly installed spark plugs can do some serious damage to your car, have a mechanic with a reputation for performing the best auto repairs in Sonoma County replace your spark plugs.
➢ Tire Repair and Changes: Tires are an integral component of a car. They absorb impact from road surfaces, support the weight of the vehicle, and transmit traction and braking forces to road surfaces. Wear and tear, bad driving practices and poor maintenance can impact the lifespan and performance of your tires. By driving on worn or damaged tires, you risk a blowout. If your car is not handling like it used to, have a mechanic inspect your tires.
➢ Brake Repairs: Functional brakes save hundreds and thousands of lives on roads around the world every day. The sooner you have brake problems addressed, the better. Some common brake repairs include brake shoe replacement, brake line replacement, and brake pad replacement.
➢ Battery Replacement: An Electric vehicle’s battery is its heart. It powers the vehicle, so when it goes out, the car stops running. EV batteries last between 15 and 20 years or 100k and 200k miles. If your EV battery is nearing the end of its service life, have it replaced.
Important Car Maintenance Tasks
Regular car maintenance keeps your car fighting fit. It addresses current problems and prevents future issues. Well-maintained cars perform better and may even last longer than poorly maintained cars.
➢ Oil Changes: Over time, engine oil gets dirty. Unclean engine oil is unable to do its job properly. To prevent problems, change your engine oil regularly. Manufacturers recommend changing the oil every 3,000 miles. Some modern cars can go further before needing an oil change.
➢ Wheel Balancing and Wheel Alignment: When your wheels are misaligned, certain parts can wear out faster. Unbalanced wheels can also cause handling and other issues. Have your mechanic check your wheels regularly to make sure they are balanced and aligned properly.
➢ Topping Up Car Fluids: From lubricating car components to keeping the engine cool, car fluids perform various important tasks. Check fluid levels every two months and top up if required.
GreenTech Automotive is committed to helping car owners keep their cars in top shape all year round. No matter how complicated the car problem you are struggling with, you can count on our team to develop a cost-effective, long-term solution. To learn more, call (707) 545-7076.