Our cars—can't live with them, can't live without them. We rely heavily on our cars, so we have to take care of them. Unfortunately, there are certain components on our cars that are more prone to having to be replaced. There are various reasons why these auto parts are notorious for burning holes in your wallet.
In some instances, it's just the nature of the part. Your car naturally wears it down. In other cases, the way you drive and the environment you drive in can drastically change how long the part remains functional. Some of these parts will be all too familiar to you. Others you may not think about. But if you've owned your car for a few years now, you might become familiar with these parts very soon. Here are the car parts that need to be replaced the most often:
Windshield Wipers- Believe it or not, you should be getting new wipers every year or so. They wear down relatively quickly and stop doing their job properly after a certain point. Also, be aware that your car can fail inspection in some states if it's determined that your windshield wipers are too worn down.
Brake Pads- Have you been noticing some squeaking lately when you stop your car? It might be time to replace your brake pads. What many people don't realize is you need to replace your brake pads about every three years or so depending on your driving style and how heavy your vehicle is.
Oil Filters- You knew you'd see this one right at the top of the list. Who among us hasn't ignored the sticker on our windshield that tells us when we need to change our oil, only to be chastised for it when we eventually do? Every time you get an oil change, you also must also replace the oil filter. It doesn't matter if you're in need of Honda or Volkswagen auto parts, you'll be shopping for an oil filter every three to six months.
And now for a part out of left field—
Timing Belt- Okay, so this doesn't need to be changed frequently. But it can sneak up on you and it's major when it does. Your timing belt should last you about 8 years on average. But if you've recently reached 100,000 miles on your vehicle, it's highly recommended you bring in your car to get the timing belt replaced. Because if you wait until it actually breaks, you have a major repair on your hands that leaves you without a car. Head this problem off at the pass and save yourself the stress.
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License: Creative Commons image source
By Lauren Wainwright, the proud owner of a red Saturn Ion that has had its parts replaced as needed. Follow her on Twitter!
