Mechanical Repairs: Keeping Your Vehicle Safe And Reliable

Wednesday 1 March 2023

A recent study found that maintenance issues cause more than 1500 car accidents per year. As well as this, if your vehicle is not properly maintained there’s also a chance that you will end up stranded on the side of the road. This is why it’s important to make sure that you are arranging for your vehicle to be serviced on an annual basis. You should also be aware of some of the issues that your car can develop and signs that it might need a mechanical repair.

Trouble With The Brakes

Problems with the brakes will impact the stopping distance of your vehicle. This could be the difference between stopping before a hazard on the road and crashing into it. Your brake pads and brake discs will wear down over time. On average, brake pads should last anywhere between 30,000 and 70,000 miles. However, this does depend on the model and type of vehicle that you are driving. A common sign that there’s an issue with your brakes will be if they start to squeak. If you notice a problem like this, it’s important to get them checked out as soon as possible. If you continue to drive on them, then it could damage the calipers which are far more expensive to repair or replace.

Drive Shaft Issues

There are lots of signs that there’s a problem with your drive shaft. For instance, you might notice that vibrations are coming from underneath the vehicle. This may also lead to an intense level of shaking and difficulty turning. Overall, an issue with your drive shaft will make your car more difficult to handle at the best of times. This increases the chances of a collision or an accident. Even if you can manage your car with a problematic drive shaft, then it will still be far more demanding than it should be. This will increase the chance of a significant vehicle malfunction that does leave the car undrivable.

Fan Belt Problems

The fan belt of the vehicle is used to switch rotational power from one area of the engine to another. It works similarly to the timing belt of the vehicle. The main difference between the two is that it connects different sets of rotating shafts. If there is a problem with the fan belt, then you might notice that it is squeaking or more noisy than usual. An issue like this will typically be more of a problem when you are either using the heating system of the car or going uphill. If you fail to replace your fan belt on time, then it will cause key engine accessories to stop working. The impact of this can be anything from no air conditioning in the vehicle to a loss of power steering. You could even find that it stops the coolant circulation which can cause critical engine damage.

Spark Plug Woes

Spark plugs probably seem like a small and relatively inconsequential part of your vehicle. However, these are vital components for the working function of your engine. If you don’t replace your spark plugs on time, then they can cause damage to your engine and this can lead to expensive, often unnecessary repairs. On average, spark plugs will need to be replaced between every sixty thousand and one-hundred-and-fifty thousand miles. However, this again does depend on your vehicle model. That’s why it’s always best to let a professional mechanic check this during your service.

Cooling System Concerns

If there’s an issue with your cooling system, then a modern vehicle will likely flash up a warning on your dash. In older cars, your first sign could be a problem with leaks. It is not usual to constantly need to fill up your car with coolant. If you are doing this, then it suggests that there’s a leak somewhere. When the engine is switched off and cooled down, you might be able to find the source of the leak. However, this isn’t always possible. If you’re particularly unlucky, your first sign could be smoke coming from underneath the hood. If it reaches this point then the car is no longer going to be driveable. You’ll need to book it in for a repair without delay.

As you can see, there are various reasons why mechanical repairs are important for your vehicle. They will ensure that your car remains safe and reliable. If you think that your vehicle does need a mechanical repair, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our team today. We will be happy to assist you further.