Frequently Replaced Car Parts

Do you take for granted how often you rely on your car? Odds are the answer is yes. Just think about what happens when you have a car problem while on your way to work or school in the morning. It causes you to be late and temporarily limits your means of transportation. Plus, taking your car to the mechanic for repairs is costly. It’s extremely important to stay on top of routine car tune-ups to help minimize the likelihood of serious car problems.

Routine checks also increase the longevity of your car which ends up saving you money in the long-run. According to consumerreports.org, the average life expectancy of a new vehicle in 2018 is around 8 years or 150,000 miles. However, some well-built properly maintained vehicles can go 15 years or 300,000 miles if properly maintained. Before increasing the longevity of your car, learn the average lifespan of automotive parts that are commonly replaced with Blain’s Farm & Fleet.

Brake Pads – This is the component that applies pressure and friction to a vehicle’s brake rotors to slow down and stop the wheels from spinning. It allows you to bring your car to a complete stop. They need to be replaced every three to five years or 30,000 to 70,000 miles. Replacement frequency can vary quite a bit based upon the type of vehicle you drive, type of original equipment brake linings, the type of driving that you do, and your driving style. Learn more about how to replace your brake pads and brake rotors by reading the “When Should I Replace My Brake Rotors” blog post. Also check out additional blogs related to brake pads.

Car Battery – Its main purpose is to produce voltage and deliver electrical current to start the engine. When the automobile is running, the batteries electrochemical action is reversed as it recharges the battery. Every four to five years your car battery will need to be replaced (mileage doesn’t matter). In really hot climates. you will have to change your battery sooner. Look into additional blog posts about car batteries for more information.

Car Tires – They are connected to the axles of your car and allow the car to move. Every five to seven years you will need to replace your tires. The duration varies depending on the number of miles driven annually, the type of driving you do, and the wear rating on your tires. Read additional blog posts about car tires to find out more information.

Headlights and or Taillight Bulbs – It’s important to be able to see when you drive and for other drivers to be able to see you as well. Safety and visibility are the main rationales behind headlights and taillights. On average, these bulbs will need to be replaced every 5 to 7 years. This will vary based upon how many rough, bumpy roads you encounter and the amount of nighttime driving you do. Read through other blogs related to car headlights on Blain’s Farm & Fleet’s website.

Spark Plugs – The primary function is to ignite the air/fuel mixture in the combustion chamber. It works as a heat exchanger by pulling unwanted thermal energy from the combustion chamber and transferring heat to the engine’s cooling system. Platinum and iridium spark plugs should last about 8 years or 100,000 miles. If your engine is burning oil due to worn rings or valve guide seals, you may need to replace your spark plugs sooner. Check out our additional blog post about “How to Change Your Spark Plugs.”

Alternator – Once your car is running, the alternator generates energy to feed the electrical system and charge the battery. The car’s gas engine spins wheels underneath the hood which cranks a wheel on the alternator to generate energy. It is an item that is frequently misdiagnosed because charging problems can often result from poor electrical connections instead. Be sure to always test the alternator before it is replaced to determine if it is good or bad. Often times they last up to seven years or about 100,000 to 150,000 miles. Learn more information about your car alternator by reading the “My Car Will Not Start! Is it the Battery, Alternator or Starter” blog post.

Air Filter – Helps prevent harmful debris, dirt, and contaminants from entering the engine of your car. This part generally needs to be replaced every 40,000 miles or possibly sooner if your vehicle is frequently driven on dirty roads where large amounts of particles can be kicked up. Also, expand your knowledge by reading an additional blog post about air filters.

Brake Components – This consists of the Brake Calipers, Wheel Cylinders, and Master Cylinder. These parts are associated with the brake fluid system. Brake components endure a lot of internal corrosion and deterioration over their lifetime. They will need to be replaced every 100,000 miles.

Blain’s Farm & Fleet New Automotive Parts Finder Tool

Within the past month, Blain’s Farm & Fleet happily announced the new automotive parts look-up tool that is found on the website. It’s a new feature that allows a user to find the correct automotive part for their vehicle. The look-up tool allows you to filter your search by selecting the year, model, make, and engine for your vehicle, which then you can select through various automotive part categories corresponding to your vehicle. This is a handy tool to use when researching and purchasing automotive parts. Blain’s Farm & Fleet also has an auto service center attached to each of their store locations, so feel free to bring your car in for repair if you’re not a DIY type of guy/gal.