What is the replacement interval for sedan alternator carbon brushes?
2 Answers
The replacement interval for sedan alternator carbon brushes is generally 100,000 kilometers. In an automotive alternator, carbon brushes serve to transmit external current to the rotating rotor to generate a magnetic field. Carbon brushes are consumable components whose wear is difficult to observe - the alternator must be disassembled for inspection, hence they require maintenance. The service life of carbon brushes is influenced by factors such as the overall quality of the motor, the composition of the carbon brushes, the smoothness of the motor's commutator, load magnitude, and current intensity. The alternator is a crucial component in vehicles. When the engine is not running, the battery powers the vehicle's electronic devices. Once the engine starts, the alternator takes over power supply from the battery to the vehicle's electronic systems.
I've been driving for over 20 years and changed four or five cars, but there's really no fixed replacement interval for generator brushes. From my experience, the first car needed replacement at 120,000 km when the charging light came on while parked roadside - the mechanic said the brushes were completely worn out. Generally speaking, if you're stuck in city traffic daily, the generator works harder and brushes wear faster, possibly needing inspection at 50,000-60,000 km. For highway-heavy driving where the generator runs less, lasting 100,000 km isn't unusual. The key is monitoring generator sounds - squeaking means trouble. Don't wait until the battery drains and leaves you stranded. My advice: have the generator internals checked during every 20,000 km maintenance - just a few dozen yuan, saving major repair costs later. Brushes wear faster in cold weather - never delay inspection. Safe driving comes first.
