How often should car door seals be replaced?
2 Answers
Replacement time depends on specific conditions. Check for cracks or breaks in the seals. For broken seals, use adhesive for repairs. Special seal adhesive can effectively repair large cracks. If seals are severely damaged or significantly aged, replace them with new ones. Seals serve functions like sealing, noise reduction, waterproofing, and windproofing. Seal materials mainly include rubber and surface coating materials. The replacement steps are: 1. Clean the installation area thoroughly. 2. Peel off the backing film of the seal. 3. Attach the seal along the vehicle's inner frame. 4. Trim excess seal with scissors.
Honestly, there's no fixed standard for when to replace car door seals—it mainly depends on your driving environment and daily wear. From my experience, checking them every five years or so is ideal. But for people living in rainy or intensely sunny areas, the seals tend to degrade faster—like rubber cracking from high heat or gaps forming in winter. When washing my car, I usually run my fingers along the door seals. If they feel stiff, deformed, or have small cracks, that's a sign they need replacing. Delaying too long doesn't just risk water leaks but can also increase noise and reduce AC insulation. Actually, these seals are cheap and easy to replace yourself; last time I bought a set on Taobao for just tens of RMB, avoiding water damage to the interior or electronics. My advice: don't wait until they're completely gone. Regularly applying rubber protectant can extend their lifespan.
