BCAA

AUTOMOTIVE iStock SUMMER 2018 BCA A .COM 29 Air filter: The general rule for replacement is every 24,000 km. But it depends on your environment. If you drive in dusty conditions, you're probably changing it every 12,000 km. Fuel filter: Some brands recommend swapping these every 32,000 km, while others suggest a higher number. Consult your owner's manual for this one. Oil filter: Most need to be changed every 8,000 to 12,000 km – but again, follow the recommendation in your owner's manual. Timing belt: On average, expect five years or 100,000 km, although some automakers claim eight years or 160,000 km. Timing chains (a chain instead of a belt) only need replacement when the chain becomes loose or the guides break, both rare. Brake pads: Brake pads are a consumable item, so lifespan depends on usage. A stoplight-to- stoplight city driver will likely wear out pads faster than a highway commuter. Ballpark? Roughly 50,000 to 100,000 km. Starter: No two starters possess the same expiration date. A fairly robust part, many have been known to continue working well past 200,000 km. HOW LONG DO CAR PARTS LAST? Fuel pumps: Responsible for sending fuel from the tank to the engine, these are built tough, and owners may be able to squeeze as much as 160,000 km out of them. Pro tip: don't let the gas gauge go into the red before you fill up. This can prematurely wear out the fuel pump. Battery: Most manufacturers say about five years, but it depends on treatment. Heavy use of electronics while the ignition is turned off can reduce overall capacity, as can jump-starting. Alternator: This keeps your battery charged, and its longevity depends on how often the battery stays fully charged. Treating the battery poorly (as described above) can add excessive load and potentially cause failure of the charging system. Shocks: Do you drive over a lot of potholes or speed bumps, or carry heavy loads often? These are just a couple of variables affecting longevity. But shock absorbers should last at least five years. To be safe, have them inspected around 100,000 km. Tires: Drive an average 20,000 km annually? Your tires are good for three to five years. Even if the tread isn't gone at that point, get the set checked, because rubber degrades. Tires also require rotation every 12,000 km to stay in top shape. Your vehicle might last the better part of two decades with proper maintenance. But some of its parts will need to be replaced during that time to keep it running safely and smoothly. Different makes and models have different maintenance requirements, so of course your owner's manual should be the ultimate authority here. But these general scheduling guidelines should come in handy:

• Cover