Feel Confident Behind the Wheel: Maintain Your Own Car

Car Repairs: Your Questions Answered

7 January 2022

Craig Hicks

If you've recently purchased your first car, you may be wondering about some of the repairs you may need to have carried out during the vehicle's lifetime. This article answers some common questions you may have about car repairs. Read on to discover more!

Q: What's the difference between a mechanic and an auto electrician?

A: There is no practical difference between mechanics and auto-electricians, although it may appear to be so. Auto electricians mainly deal with electrical fixes such as re-wiring engines, replacing current wiring with improved wire, fixing headlights and many other issues that relate to car electrics. A mechanic also deals with car electrics but will also take care of jobs such as brake repairs, replacements and adjustments.

Q: How long should you expect a new car to last?

A: Many manufacturers offer a warranty on new vehicles, covering the first few years of their life. However, this is usually just the covered mechanical parts — an auto-electrician would have to fix any electrical problems that may arise after purchase. So if you're looking for good overall value from your car, it makes sense to go for a newer model rather than an older one.

Q: What can you do if there's a problem with your wheel nuts?

A: If one of your wheel nuts starts to become loose or difficult to remove, there are a few things you can do. Firstly, make sure that the wheel is fully attached — the wheel nut should be flush with the wheel itself. Also, make sure that it's not cross-threaded; if it is, remove it and replace it immediately. If the wheel nut is still stuck on your car or becomes very hard to remove, then don't force it! You could end up breaking some of the studs on your hub. Instead, contact a mechanic who will have access to all of the tools needed for such a critical repair job.

Q: Is there anything you can do to avoid the need for repairs? 

A: In short, yes. To avoid the need for repairs, make sure you service your car regularly and keep it well maintained. Doing so will help to ensure that any potential problems are spotted early on. Servicing includes cleaning parts to improve efficiency and inspecting parts for damage or wear and tear that might require replacement in future. With regular servicing, you can prolong the life of your vehicle significantly while also saving money in the long term by avoiding costly repairs.

For more info, contact a car repair mechanic today.

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