Car Maintenance: What Needs Replacing & When?

shutterstock_298682093As we all know, cars require a fair bit of maintenance, and even the most well looked after car will need parts replacing at some stage.

So, with that in mind, what exactly do you need to keep an eye on with your vehicle? And how often do these things need replacing?

Oil Filters

While there are differing opinions on how often your oil filter needs to be changed, to be on the safe side we recommend having it done with every oil change.

Over time, your filter will accumulate a load of dirt, and if it goes unchecked it will eventually block the oil flow completely.

Considering oil filters are a relatively inexpensive purchase, it’s worth changing it regularly and avoiding the worst case scenario of it ending up costing you a new engine! If you do spot any leaking oil under your car, it may be time to replace the oil filter. Read our guide on how to fix common Honda oil leaks to discover more.

Timing Belts

The timing belt, also known as the cam belt is the part of the engine which synchronises the rotation of the camshaft and the crankshaft, and the opening and closing of the engine’s valves.

It’s actually a very overlooked part of the car, and if it goes, then so does your whole engine.

It can be tough to know when to replace your timing belt as there will be no signs of wear and tear, so we recommend changing is somewhere between every 60,000 and 100,000 miles. Prevention is the best cure in this case!

Read our guide on timing belt replacements for more details. 

Pollen/Air Filters

The pollen or air filter cleans the air that comes through your heating or air conditioning system, removing any dust, pollen and the like.

We recommend having this changed every 15,000 or so miles, although it might need changing more frequently if you’re driving in a built up area with lots of traffic and pollution.

Look out for reduced air flow coming out of your air conditioning, or strange noises or smells coming from it as sure signs that you need to take a look at your filter.

Fuel Filters

The fuel filter removes contaminants such as dirt and rust from the fuel and flows the clean fuel into the engine.

If you have trouble starting your car or find it stalling, it could be time to have your filter checked.

A new filter should give the car a new lease of life and you’ll find a full tank of fuel gets you further!

Wiper Blades

We recommend getting new wiper blades at least every year, if not every six months.

Signs such as squeaking or smearing are other warnings that the blades might need a change.

Wiper blades are just as important as any other part of your vehicles so make sure you stay on top of them!

You can check out our guide on how to change and replace your wiper blades.

Oil

How often to change your oil is one of the biggest dilemmas facing motorists, and unfortunately, there isn’t a single answer we can give you.

Check with your manufacturer for a good idea on how often to change it, but bear in mind that things such as lots of frequent stop-start driving, or lots of driving on motorways during hot weather can mean it might need changing more often.

Brake pads

Thankfully, your brake pads should give you plenty of warning before they give up, mainly through that awful screeching noise they make!

Make sure you don’t ignore these warning signs and get your brake pads changed right away.

Unfortunately, there’s no real guideline as to how long your brakes should last as it varies greatly depending on your driving style and where you’ll be driving.

Coolant

Manufacturer recommendations can vary wildly on how often to change your coolant (or antifreeze), from every 30,000 to 150,000 miles.

To be on the safe side we recommend changing coolant every 30,000 or 50,000 miles.

If your Honda is in need of replacements parts, always buy genuine and be sure to check our full range of Honda parts. 

£0.00
0
0
    Your Basket
    Your basket is emptyReturn to Shop