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6 Common Car Parts You Should Always Have in Stock

A car’s performance greatly relies on the functioning of various components to ensure the driving experience is smooth and efficient. Car engines and fuel efficiency often take centre stage when it comes to maintenance and repairs. But don’t neglect the lesser-known common car parts that play a key role in ensuring your car runs safely, reliably, and functionally.

Common car parts like brake pads, transmission filters, spark plugs, spare tyres, fuses, and battery jumper cables should all feature highly on your car maintenance list. It’s important that you understand the functions of these common car parts and the unique purpose they serve. 

In this article, we’ll discuss some of the most common car parts to always have in stock in your DIY garage.

1) Brake Pads

Brake pads are some of the most common car parts, playing an important role in a disc braking system. Brakes are responsible for stopping your car or slowing it down. A chain reaction sets off when you press on the brake pedals, which convert kinetic energy to heat, causing the car to slow down and stop. 

How often you’ll need to replace your brake pads and other components depends on your vehicle model and driving conditions, but a general thumb rule is to replace them every 65,000 miles. 

It isn’t easy to spot when a brake needs to be replaced. You could be damaging the discs of your braking system without even knowing it. Make sure you look out for the common signs of wear and replace the pads when needed. 

If you’d rather have a professional check out your brakes, get in touch with In Town Automotive for a brake checks and repairs service today.

2) Transmission Filters

common car accessories in a car garage

Your car’s gearbox is responsible for transferring the power that the engine generates to the wheels. 

 As another lesser-known common car part, a transmission filter’s main function is to keep metal particles, dirt, and debris out of the transmission fluid and collect excess fluid. It’s an important component of a car transmission system, and if it gets clogged, this can not only hamper your car’s performance but also cause slipped gears and lead to expensive repair work.

Clogged transmission filters give out a burning odour and lead to cranky gearshifts. They can be challenging to replace on your own, so it’s recommended that you get this job done professionally using vehicle diagnostic tools. Visit In Town Automotive to check and replace your transmission filter. 

3) Spark Plugs

Spark plugs are also handy to have in your DIY garage stock, as they’re known as common car parts that break. These are designed to produce combustion from igniting the air-fuel mixture in the car engine. 

While they may be small and can often be overlooked as an insignificant common car part, spark plugs play a key role in starting your car and keeping it running.

A faulty spark plug may lead to poor fuel economy and affect your ability to start your car. Spark plugs are relatively inexpensive and should be changed only after 30,000-90,000 miles or as determined by your car manufacturer.

4) Spare Tyre

Breaking down in the middle of the road is never ideal, especially if you discover you have no spare tyre. 

Having a spare tyre in the rear of your car isn’t enough if you don’t know how to install one. Knowing how to use and install a spare tyre can help you get to the nearest service centre. 

Spare tyres are common car parts to replace. Many modern car manufacturers supply space-saver tyres these days, which can be temporarily useful when you need to travel a short distance. 

Common car accessories like a tyre pressure monitor or a tyre repair kit can help you reduce the likelihood of flat tyres by ensuring your car tyres are in top condition.   

5) Fuses

Electrical wiring in cars is protected by fuses, which are another common car part used to protect a vehicle from short-circuiting and overcurrents. Also known as automotive fuses, these require the least amount of maintenance and only need to be replaced when they’re blown. 

Car fuses come in different types and sizes for various electrical equipment. You can use a multimeter to check the status of a functional fuse while a blown fuse will always give away with its disconnected wire. It’s helpful to keep a spare fuse handy and know where your vehicle’s fuse box is. 

6) Battery Jumper Cables

Common car accessories| Battery jumper cables

Battery jumper cables are a lifeline when you have a dead car battery, making them essential common car parts to have in your vehicle for emergencies. These offer a quick and effective way to charge your car battery from a donor car’s battery. 

It generally takes anywhere between 15 to 20 minutes to jump a car using battery jumper cables, so you can be back on the road in under an hour. We recommend replacing a cheaper product every three years, especially if you notice it has damaged or frayed wires. 

A high-quality battery jumper cable can easily last you longer than that. These common car accessories are useful as a power source when your car battery is dead, especially when you’re travelling during the winter

Visit In Town Automotive for Maintenance of Common Car Parts and an Annual MOT Test

It’s essential to get your vehicle maintained to ensure your car runs smoothly and properly. The common car parts mentioned in this guide not only ensure your car operates as expected but also keep you safe. Reviewing these components annually with an MOT Test will help you stay compliant with the legal requirements of UK laws for road safety. 

If you’re due an MOT, visit In Town Automotive in Northampton. Our experienced technicians are on hand to conduct extensive inspections of your car, carry out relevant safety checks, and fix any issues that they find. They’ll service your vehicle as necessary and keep it running in top condition. 

As an award-winning garage in Northampton, we have years of experience repairing brakes, clutches, tyres, exhausts, and more. Explore our wide range of services or contact us to book an appointment today.

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