The Five Auto Parts You Should Know By Heart

Just because you aren’t a mechanic doesn’t mean you can’t know your auto parts. Knowing you’re vehicle inside and out may seem like a lot of effort, but it is well worth it. You will save yourself a lot of confusion, strain, and most importantly money. Lucky for you though, you don’t even need to go through much effort learning about them, because we at McCluskey Chevy in Cincinnati are here to give you an easy to understand crash course in auto parts so that you never need to fear the unknown again. Here are the top five auto parts in Cincinnati you should know before even getting behind the steering wheel.

Essential Auto Parts

You can’t understand anything about your vehicle if you don’t first understand the essential auto parts that make it move and move smoothly. A single car can be made up of up 30,000 parts, but all you as a driver will need to know are the basics parts that may need to be replaced and how to test them.

Engine

The engine is clearly the most essential part of your vehicle made up of the ignition, pistons, crankshaft, radiator, timing belts, cooling fans, and other smaller parts. No car, truck, or SUV can run without one, and that is why is always good to understand them. Now you will not be running off to fix your own engine problems since that is best left up to professionals, but it is still good to understand when there is a problem with your engine and what the parts may cost you.

Reasons your engine could be faulty include neglecting an oil change, disregarding a leak, ignoring the cooling system, or flooding your engine. Some warning signs of a faulty engine are a loss of power, a sudden loss of power or stalling, a drop in gas mileage, unfamiliar noises and smells if it continues to run after being turned off, or of course, your check engine light activates. When checking for anything faulty, it is useful to use all of your senses to locate problems, especially your common sense.

Suspension

The suspension is all about absorbing vibration and impact. Unless you enjoy a ride that makes even the smoothest road feel like a cobblestone path, then you will want your suspension system in working condition. Shock absorbers, struts, and springs are common parts of a suspension system that may need replacing.

In order to maintain your suspension, there is a lot you can do. You can check the different parts of the suspension system after every oil change for cracking, swelling, or contamination and clean them if necessary. In order to make sure the system is in working order the best thing to do is perform a bounce test and shock test.

The bounce test is when you go to one corner of the car and push down. When you let go, the car should bounce up, then settle back down. If the car bounces more than twice, you most likely need new shocks.

The shock test involves going into a clear lot and start with the car at rest. Accelerate with force and then brake hard. If the rear end keeps bouncing, your rear shocks may be worn, and if the nose dips, your front shocks may need replacement.

Transmission

The transmission of an automotive is all about handling, which makes it one of the most important auto parts. The job of a transmission is to assure that all power is being directed to the right place in the vehicle. In a way, you can think of the engine as your brain and the transmission is your nervous system. Transmissions can be manual for more control, or automatic for easier shifting.

The most common sign of a faulty transmission is leaking fluid caused by a number of issues. The seal or gasket could be worn, there could be damage to the bell housing, the pan could be loose, the drive shaft is out of balance, or a recent servicing that involved disconnecting cooler lines could have caused a leaking issue. Other signs include strange odors or sounds, warning lights, or a delay in movement. A dipstick inspection is always helpful in making sure everything is in order with your transmission.

Battery

A car battery provides electricity to your vehicle and will generally last three to five years with average driving habits. If you go to drive to work one morning and you’re vehicle suddenly doesn’t want to start, chances you might have a dead battery.

Generally when your car doesn’t start you give the battery a jump. As long as you have the cables and a willing person with a working battery, this process is fairly simple and shouldn’t take long.

• Put both cars in park or neutral and shut off the ignition
• Attach the RED clamp to the POSITIVE (+) terminal of YOUR battery
• Attach the RED clamp to the POSITIVE (+) terminal of the OTHER battery
• Attach the BLACK clamp to the NEGATIVE (-) terminal of the OTHER battery
• Attach the BLACK clamp to the metal surface of YOUR car that isn’t painted and away from the battery
• Start the OTHER car and give it a few minutes
• Now start YOUR car
• Go about your day with a satisfied smile

If this charge only lasts till the next time you turn on the car, it is a sure sign your battery is in need of a replacement. The process of replacing it shouldn’t be difficult or pricey at all as long as know what type to get, which will always be in your handy owner’s manual. If you find yourself looking for this auto part in Cincinnati, visit McCluskey Chevy for a great deal and high-quality service.

Wheels

Wheels or tires are clearly something your vehicle can’t live without. They even play a large role in performance capability. They are so essential in fact that nearly all vehicles come with a spare. Your everyday tires should last anywhere from 40,000 to 100,000 miles, but clearly, that depends on where you drive and how often you drive. Keeping your tire pressure up is always important and can be quickly done at your local gas station, often for free, or you can buy an air compressor/inflator and tire pressure monitor and do it yourself. Often you will be able to see the deflation and can decide when to adjust the tire pressure, but it’s always good to check and fill them frequently to prevent long-term damage.

How to Get the Right Auto Parts

McCluskey Chevy doesn’t just sell quality Chevy vehicles; we also sell auto parts in Cincinnati that will allow you the freedom to fix up your own vehicle for an affordable rate. Nothing is more stratifying than fixing something yourself. It is also so much more convenient than playing games with a professional. We at McCluskey offer auto parts so that our community has a convenient way to care for their precious vehicles. We also are happy to offer our additional help and services. If you have any questions or concerns that we can assist you with, we would be pleased to offer our experience. Cars are tricky pieces of machinery, and that is why we want to do everything we can to help you care for them.