10 parts that often fail on cars

(Baonghean.vn) - Wear and tear due to frequent use, lack of maintenance and damage due to environmental factors are the reasons why car parts quickly break down... The recommendations below are not correct for all cases, but are suggestions to help you have better direction in use, maintenance and repair.

1. Tires and Rims

Strong shocks when going over potholes at high speed, or carelessly climbing the sidewalk, tires scraping the curb, etc. can cause the tire to tear or explode due to high pressure. Strong impacts on the wheel can also distort the rim, causing the car to vibrate.

If the vehicle is used for about 20,000 - 25,000km/year (about 40 - 50km/day), the tire tread is often worn out; if the vehicle is used less, the tire tread may still be there but the rubber has degraded. In case the tire tread is still good, the tire still needs to be replaced if it exceeds 6 years of use, because the aging rubber layer can increase the risk of tire explosion when braking suddenly or cornering at high speed.

2. Front shock absorber

During braking, especially sudden braking, the front suspension system must withstand increased pressure due to the weight of the vehicle. Therefore, front shock absorbers are more likely to fail than rear shock absorbers.

When only one of the two front shock absorbers fails (usually due to oil leakage), the driver feels that the car cannot absorb shock when going over speed bumps or bad roads. The higher the speed, the more obvious the one-sided shock phenomenon is, which can cause the front of the car to tilt.

When one of the shock absorbers is damaged, the best solution is to replace both sides. If only one side is replaced, the shock absorption process will not be equal between the two wheels, causing the vehicle to be unstable when driving on bad roads.

3. Belt

The belt drives a series of other components such as the generator, air conditioning compressor or power steering pump. On some luxury or sports cars, the belt also drives the chassis lift pump system.

Vehicle users can recognize the deterioration of the belt by the naked eye when detecting cracks. Degenerated and hardened belts often make a screeching sound, especially when the engine is first started. However, the unexpected damage factor that vehicle users need to be wary of is being bitten by rats.

If there are no unusual incidents or negative impacts, the belt should be replaced periodically after about 80,000 - 100,000km; the belt should be regularly checked for cracks or breaks for timely handling.

4. High pressure pump of direct fuel injection system

Normally, high pressure pumps have a very high durability, but the fuel factor causes this system to fail. The high pressure pump is cooled and lubricated by the fuel itself, so contaminated fuel or starting the vehicle in a state of low fuel will scratch the pump, causing leakage and reducing pump pressure.

A faulty high pressure pump or severe lack of pressure may cause the engine to fail to start, even though the electrical system is still good. In mild cases, it may cause insufficient fuel supply, causing jerking and weakness.

5. Fuel supply line

The fuel pipe from the tank to the injector is divided into many sections with different materials; the part running along the chassis is made of metal, the part in the engine compartment is made of synthetic plastic and this is the sensitive part.

During use, this plastic pipe can be bitten by rats, the joints can shrink and open, causing leaks, even large leaks.

As soon as you detect an unusual smell of gasoline (some high-end cars may display an engine fault light when the pipe has a large leak), you need to check it. Fuel leaks are one of the conditions that cause a risk of car fire when exposed to an electric spark.

6. Battery

Usually has a lifespan of 2 - 4 years, depending on the conditions of use and maintenance. Signs of a weak battery are a drop in voltage, the indicator lights and the dashboard will darken when the key is turned on and the engine starts. The starting process is not as decisive as before. A battery that is too weak will not start the engine, only a "clicking" sound can be heard coming from the starter system.

If the vehicle uses a battery that needs to be refilled, check the battery water level periodically and refill it promptly. A battery that is low on water will damage the plates and will not be able to recover when refilled with water.

7. Fuel injector

The injector is a part manufactured with very high precision, including tiny holes (in the multi-point fuel injection system) so that the fuel is sprayed out in the form of mist and is flammable. Dirt that sticks to the injector for a long time will reduce the nozzle's cross-section, or clog one of the injector holes, causing a lean fuel phenomenon.

When one of the injectors is clogged, fuel will not be supplied to that cylinder, causing misfiring, shaking, and a weak engine. Additionally, if just one of the jets of a single injector is clogged, it will cause a lean engine, which will also cause shaking and a weak engine. Multiple clogged injectors may not start the engine even though the electrical and ignition systems are working properly.

8. Wiper

For cars that are frequently used, the rubber layer of the wiper must be paid attention to. If you see phenomena such as the wiper is difficult to wipe, does not wipe clean, the wiper is stuck, there is a strange noise when moving the wiper on the glass surface, the wiper blade does not fully contact the glass surface... it means that the wiper blade has degraded and is no longer effective.

If the glass is dry, do not use the wiper, the friction will scratch the glass. When the water cannot be wiped away or it affects the traffic process, it must be replaced.

9. Bearings

Normally, bearings can have a long life. However, there are cases where bearings fail very early, which may be due to a leaky grease seal, causing the lubricating grease to be lost or water to seep in.

Washing the engine with water carelessly and improperly can also cause water to get inside, killing the bearings.

When bearings are loose and noisy, there is no other solution but to replace them promptly. Dry and noisy bearings not only cause noise but also generate a lot of heat, affecting the cooling process of the engine.

10. Window glass gasket

If the car is well maintained, the rubber windshield and window seals can be very durable, still looking very good after 7 - 10 years.

But when driving a lot in rainy or sunny weather, the rubber parts will quickly harden and crack, causing noise because the door glass is no longer tight; at the same time, damaged gaskets also reduce the ability to prevent noise, making the car cabin even noisier.

When the window glass is covered with dust, you should limit the amount of time you raise/lower the glass. Even if the window seal is new, a lot of dust will get inside and cause jamming, and the rubber seal will quickly degenerate.

Ngoc Anh

(Synthetic)