Our cars are some of the most important tools to maintain our daily lives, and sometimes we overlook the stress we put on them. It can be easy to go in for an oil change every few thousand miles and call it fixed, but there is a multitude of problems that could arise. Whether it is a poorly sealed tire or grinding brakes, our cars require these three common vehicle repairs to keep us on the move without problems.
Tire Repair
Subject to constant wear and tear, the tires are usually the most in need of repairs and replacements. If your “check tire” light keeps flashing no matter how often you fill it, that could mean there is a small leak in the rubber.
It could either be from the sealing being improperly fixed to the rim or a puncture in the rubber itself. Either way, it could be as simple as taking it to the mechanic to have it resealed, or if the damage is bad enough, it could mean a whole new tire.
Driveshaft
The driveshaft can be the most complex problem of these to fix, as there are several points where it can fail. But whatever the problem may be, there are a few signs to look out for when it starts to go. One sign can be that you have difficulty turning your steering wheel.
This results from a broken u-joint. Another common problem with the u-joint is a shuddering of the vehicle when accelerating from slower speeds to faster speeds. Sometimes it’s as easy as replacing that u-joint, but other times it requires a full replacement of the drive shaft.
Suspension
Be careful of potholes; they can do more damage than you think. The suspension keeps the car from bouncing too much when going over bumpy or rough surfaces. If you’re driving and you can feel every little bump in the road to the point where it may even be giving you a headache, then that most likely means your suspension system has failed.
The main stressors on them can be from both what’s on the road and what’s in your car. Too much weight on the inside can overload the suspension, and that coupled with rough road conditions can cause it to break.
There are plenty of points of failure on a car, and it’s a miracle it’s not breaking down all the time. Being proactive when it comes to these three most common vehicle repairs will help keep your car going further and for longer.