Cars are made of many systems, often with hundreds of
individual components. Our team at Sheehy Nissan of Glen Burnie has the
details on five of the most underappreciated car parts on your car:
1. Tires –
Nothing is more important to your vehicle’s performance and safety than the
tires you select. Beyond the usual conversation of summer/winter tires and tire
wear, the brand and model of tire you select can make an enormous difference in
your car’s ride and handling. Tires - the big, black, donuts on your car – may
not look like much, but they actually represent a wealth of design, technology,
and manufacturing development. There is an abundance of research and reviews
available online, so take the time to make a well-informed decision on your
tires, as specific to your driving habits, needs, budget, and climate.
2. Oil Filters –
if you’re like most drivers, you’ve never seen your oil filter, and have no
idea where, what kind, or what quality filter you have. More so than most other
commonly replaceable components on your car, oil filter quality can vary
tremendously. Oil filters protect your oil and thus also your engine. Ask your
technician for advice, but we’d recommend spending a bit more for a reputable
brand, and if they offer two lines, buy the better one. It’s money well spent.
3. Permanent
Automatic Transmission Fluid (aka ATF) – means less maintenance and
therefore expense for most drivers, but not all drivers should refrain from
changing their ATF, even if the manual states that it’s not necessary. Towing,
constant stop-and-go driving, hot climates, hills, and dusty conditions can
strain the properties of your ATF. Ask your technician if s/he’d recommend a
fluid change.
4. Shocks and Struts
– Next to tires, these are the components most necessary for safe driving and
decent handling. They are responsible for keeping your tires firmly in contact
with the road. Shocks and struts typically wear and begin to fail slowly, so
it’s easy to overlook and forget about them. Failed shocks and struts can
burst, leak, crack or break, and as they fail, so does your handling and
braking. Ask that they be inspected next time your car’s up on a lift.
5. Headlights –
Here again, headlights tend to be overlooked and underappreciated, namely
because they typically go about their business quietly and without notice,
until one of them burns out and you get pulled over or notice your illumination
is down by half. Headlights are easy and inexpensive (in most cases) to
replace, and a little-known fact is that halogen bulbs dim slowly over time.
Another factor which can affect your headlight’s output is the clouding of
headlight lenses caused by sun, rain, road rash, and environmental chemicals.
This can often be removed by professionally polishing the headlight, but if
they’re too far gone, ask about replacing them with new units, to be assured of
safer night-time driving.
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