What happens if a car is not maintained in time?
2 Answers
If a car is not maintained in time, the following situations may occur: 1. The car paint is prone to damage, especially in summer when the weather is hot. Ultraviolet rays can also corrode the car paint, making it look old easily. In more severe cases, the car body may develop cracks. 2. Prolonged use of tires can lead to insufficient tire pressure, which not only consumes more fuel but also damages the tire tread over time. Additionally, driving frequently on uneven roads without promptly removing debris like stones from the tread pattern can cause severe tire wear, leading to tire failure in a short time. 3. The typical replacement cycle for an air filter is 10,000 to 15,000 kilometers. If maintenance and replacement are not done for a long time, the air filter will lose its function of filtering impurities from the air. 4. Various fluids in the car, including engine oil, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and coolant, have expiration dates, especially engine oil. Engine oil lubricates and protects the engine. If the car is used (or parked) for a long time without timely oil changes, it will not only fail to protect the engine but also corrode engine components, affecting the normal operation of the engine.
I know this all too well. If veteran car owners don't stick to the maintenance schedule, engine problems are bound to happen. Last year, my neighbor's car suffered cylinder scoring after just over 30,000 kilometers because he forgot to change the oil, costing him over 20,000 yuan in repairs. Not changing engine oil and filters on time leads to sludge buildup inside the engine, impairing heat dissipation. If brake fluid deteriorates, brake failure becomes likely - extremely dangerous on highways. Driving with completely bald tires and forcing it through rainy turns can send you sliding off the road. Even more annoying are the constant minor issues: sudden dead batteries preventing ignition, musty-smelling AC vents. When it's time to sell, the inspection report shows a list of fault codes, and used car dealers will lowball you until you want to cry.
