Beckley Auto Tips – Five Preventable Car Repairs

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Even if you’re a smart money planner and have a special fund to pay for car repairs, there’s a good chance you’d rather spend the money on something else. Right? Cars do need regular maintenance and repairs from time to time.

car repiar tips des moinesWhether you drive 100 miles a week or 1,000 miles a week, wear and tear happens. But you can keep repair costs down by paying attention to a few things. In fact, some of the most common car repairs that we perform can be prevented. Like what? We’re glad you asked.

  1. Damaged Ignition Switch

If you’re driving a car with a remote starter, or press a button to fire up the engine, you probably won’t have this problem. But for everyone else who uses a key to start their car, take a good look at your keychain and everything you have dangling from it.

The most common reason for a damaged ignition switch is a heavy keychain. Is yours loaded with keys, a mini flashlight, lanyards, charms, and other stuff? A heavy keychain can pull on the gears inside the ignition switch, cause damage, or even cease up. The solution: Limit the amount of keys you carry with your car key.

  1. Power Steering Pump Problems

Ever turn the steering wheel hard to make a sharp turn and hear a squealing noise? It’s an indicator that something’s wrong with your car’s power steering. It could be a simple fix that requires topping of the power steering fluid reservoir. But if you’re cranking the wheel like that a lot, it can damage the power steering pump. The solution: Avoid making hard turns and turning the steering wheel too far.

  1. Rumbling Rotors

Rotors are part of your car’s braking system. And they can last a long time with proper care. But if you drive your car with brake pads that need to be replaced, you’ll damage the rotors. Worn out brake pads grind away at the rotors. How can you tell if the rotors are going bad? For drivers, the most obvious sign is rumbling or uneven braking, especially when you slow to a stop. The solution: Replace brake pads at the first sign of wear.

  1. Engine Trouble

It wasn’t that long ago that getting 100,000 miles out of a car was the norm. But that’s not the case anymore. Many of today’s cars can run for 200,000 miles or more without any major mechanical problems. But that’s only if you take care of your car. Too often, people neglect the most basic routine maintenance of car care: changing the oil. It’s often the source of serious engine problems and expensive repairs. The solution: Follow the manufacturer guidelines for regular oil changes for your car.

  1. Fuel Pump Failure

You try and start your car, but can seem to keep the engine running. Or you’re driving, when your car begins to sputter and stall. It happens, and a bad fuel pump is often the problem. Just like any other moving part, fuel pumps do wear out over time. What’s the main reason that causes fuel pump failure? Running your car on fumes. The solution: Avoid driving your car on an empty gas tank.

Routine maintenance, regular oil changes, and smart driving habits are the best ways to prevent car trouble. Click here to schedule a service appointment, contact us at 515-243-8185, or stop by at 901-8th Street in Des Moines.