A Reliable Vehicle Is More Than Just Luck!

For most people, buying a vehicle is the second largest purchase of your lifetime. Fortunately, you shouldn’t have to purchase a new vehicle every day, every year, or every few years—unless you want to.

If you drive the average number of miles in the U.S., a typical vehicle will last around 14 years. But this doesn’t happen by chance or luck—you need to apply the proper car care.

Beyond extending the life of your vehicle, car care and maintenance can reduce operating expenses, increase your peace of mind, and maximize your investment. If these are your goals, the team at Repair One in The Woodlands, TX can help.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most critical car maintenance and care services to prolong the life of your vehicle and minimize expensive repair costs.

Have Timely Timing Belt Replacement

The timing belt is critical to an engine’s valve timing system. It is the form of a reinforced rubber belt that synchronizes the rotation of two parts: the crankshaft and the camshaft. It ensures that the engine’s valves open and close at the proper time.

In most vehicles, the timing belt drives the water pump, which circulates coolant throughout the engine. This means that a failure of the timing belt can cause damage to other critical engine components, such as the water pump or the pistons and valves.

Timing belts have a recommended service interval between 60,000 and 100,000 miles depending on the manufacturer and the specific engine model. It is crucial to observe this, as a timing belt failure can cause significant engine damage and be very costly to repair.

Proactively Replace Your Water Pump

When you have timing belt replacement, it’s a good practice to replace the water pump, too. A water pump ensures a consistent flow of coolant, which helps regulate the engine’s operating temperature and prevent overheating.

Water pumps can fail over time due to wear and tear or damage from overheating. Common signs you have a failing water pump include leaks, unusual noises, and an overheating engine.

Thus, it is vital to have a failing water pump replaced as soon as possible to prevent damage to other critical engine components and avoid the risk of engine overheating.

Change Filters Regularly

Your vehicle has several filters that should be changed regularly to protect the engine and other components.

Engine air filter: Prevents dirt, dust, and other debris from entering the engine. Change your air filter every 15,000 to 30,000 miles or as recommended by the manufacturer.
Cabin air filter: Cleans the air that enters the passenger compartment, removing dust, pollen, and other allergens. Change your cabin filter around 15,000 to 30,000 miles or as suggested by the manufacturer.
Fuel filter: Removes contaminants from the fuel before it reaches the engine. Service your fuel filter every 30,000 to 50,000 miles or based on the manufacturer’s suggestions.
Oil filter: Removes contaminants from the engine oil, preventing damage to the engine. The oil and oil filter should be changed as suggested by the manufacturer.
Transmission filter: Removes contaminants from the transmission fluid, preventing damage to the transmission. Change it every 30,000 to 60,000 miles or suggested by the manufacturer.

Drive Smoothly

Caring for your vehicle involves other things aside from car maintenance: it’s also about how you drive.

If you want to extend the life of your vehicle, drive it with “mechanical sympathy.” In other words, avoid revving your engine, fast driving, slamming on brakes, and aggressive driving as much as possible.

Replace Spark Plugs

Spark plugs are critical components of a gasoline-powered engine responsible for igniting the fuel and air mixture in the combustion chamber. When the engine runs, the spark plug produces an electrical spark that ignites the fuel and air mixture, creating a controlled explosion that pushes the piston down and generates power.

Over time, spark plugs can become worn, dirty, or damaged. This can lead to various engine performance problems, such as reduced power, poor fuel efficiency, and engine misfires. In some cases, worn spark plugs can even cause the engine to fail to start.

Find a Reliable Mechanic in The Woodlands, TX

Undoubtedly, the most important thing you can do to protect your vehicle is to have a trusted and reliable mechanic. Fortunately, Repair One Auto in The Woodlands, TX has you covered. We are the premier one-stop auto maintenance and car care center in the area. We offer every car maintenance service and auto repair your vehicle will ever need.

Contact Repair One Auto today by completing our online contact form, calling us at (936) 271-1110, or stopping by our shop at 6495 College Park Dr., The Woodlands, TX 77384.