5 Common Car Repairs and How to Avoid Them

Owning a car is a great, until it isn’t. When things start going wrong with your vehicle the dreaded possibility of car repairs come and it tends to empty your wallet. Lucky for you, not all of them are bad or even very expensive. Knowing what you could face and when is a great safeguard, so read on below for our The German Auto Doctor list of what to expect from your car troubles.

1. The Loose Fuel Cap

Yes, we are totally serious about this one. A loose fuel cap isn’t even a guaranteed problem, so why is it on the list? Because if your heart sinks because your check engine light just came on and you have no idea why, it could be as easy as a loose fuel cap. This is even more true in new cars. If there is an actual problem, checking early may prevent it from being too big of an issue. Preventative measures are always good.

2. Oxygen Sensor Replacement

This kind of trouble can be common for older models of cars. The oxygen sensor is a vital component of your car’s exhaust system. It detects uncombusted oxygen in your exhaust. This broken piece can ruin the efficiency of your car. It can also have trouble with idling, causing your car to jerk and shake at a steady throttle. Overall, this is bad for your fuel consumption.

3. Wiper Blades Replacement

Most people would not rate this as a major car expense, but it is common. The good thing is that they wipers can be relatively cheap and simple to replace.

4. Replacing Air Filters

On a more serious note, air filters can be a simple but hazardous repair case. The air filter keeps your engine running with a balanced air to fuel ratio. Without this, your engine can misfire. This can damage all sorts of areas in your car, turning a single moment into a chain reaction of damage.

5. Ignition Coils and Spark Plugs

As a car wears down and gets old, two related pieces can often wear down together. The ignition coils and spark plugs. The pair are the focal point for starting your car, giving that initial spark to ignition to get the engine running. A lack of spark can mean the car won’t start, a spark misfire can cause major damage.

Some of these fixes are things that you can do yourself or monitor to ensure that your car runs smoothly for as long as possible. If you have any questions about how to optimize your engine’s lifespan, give us a call at The German Auto Doctor today and we would be happy to answer any of your questions!