10 parts of cars that often fail

(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; 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 absorbers

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, 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 will not be equal between the two wheels, making the vehicle 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 cars or sports cars, the belt also drives the lift pump system.

Vehicle users can recognize the deterioration of the belt with 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 checked regularly 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. High pressure pumps are 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 or severely low pressure high pressure pump may cause the engine to not 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 pipe

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

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

Immediately upon detecting an unusual smell of gasoline (some high-end cars may display an engine fault light when the pipe has a large puncture), an inspection is required. Fuel leaks are one of the conditions that pose a risk of vehicle fire when exposed to an electrical 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 "click" can be heard coming from the starter system.

If the vehicle uses a battery that needs to be watered, check the water level of the battery periodically and top it up 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 misfires, jerks, and a weak engine. Additionally, if just one of the jets of a single injector is clogged, it will cause lean fuel, which will also cause a jerk 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 water, 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 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, 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 leaking grease seal, causing the lubricant 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 soundproofing ability, 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 jams, and the rubber seal will quickly deteriorate.

Ngoc Anh

(Synthetic)