What Parts of My Vehicle Will Wear Out First? - Arnold Motor Supply Auto Parts Stores (2024)

If you are car or truck owner, it is likely that you have had to deal with the various car parts breaking down. Every vehicle has about 30,000 interconnected parts that all have to work together, and as you'd expect, some car parts typically wear out well in advance of others. Some of these parts are meant to wear down, while others might simplybe more prone to failure early on in a car's life. We'll go over which commoncarparts to replace that you can expect, and when they'll need replacement.

Oil and Filter

Your car's oil is designed to lubricate the engine components so that they don't grind together, reducing friction and wear on car parts such as pistons or bearings. While not necessarily a car part that wears out, as the oil isn't exactly a part, proper car maintenance includes changing your car's oil regularly by having a professional technician do it or doing it yourself with the right tools. Not doing so can allow dirt and debris to build up, which will eventually lead to engine failure.

The car's oil filter is responsible for trapping any of this debris before it enters the engine. Though some technicians will replace an oil filter every time the oil is changed, the industry standard is every other time you change the oil. Also keep in mind that synthetic oils are designed to last longer, which can impact how common a car part to replace the oil filter itself is.

Average Lifespan: Around 3,000-5,000 miles for the car's oil and around 10,000 for its filter.

Wiper Blades

Windshield wipers are essential car parts that most people take for granted until they stop working. They help keep your windshield clear of rain, snow, or debris while you're driving. You can’t drive if you can’t see where you’re going. If you live in a climate with lots of different kinds of weather, then you already know how important your wiper blades are.

Wiperblades should be replaced as soon as they show signs of wear. If your car is equipped with a rear wiper blade, consider replacing that too. You might not use the rear wiper as much or rely on it as often, it still will wear down faster than you expect.

Average Lifespan: Around six months of regular use.

Battery

This is probably the first one you thought of, and for good reason. After filters and wiper blades, the carbattery is one of the car parts that is most likely to fail early on. It is responsible for starting the car and running all of its electrical systems.

Ifyour battery is starting to show its age, you might want to consider replacing it. A good technician will check this often and steer you in the right direction.

Average Lifespan: 4-6 years with normal use with average climatic conditions.

Brake Pads

Brake pads are made to wear down, so it should be no surprise that they make this list. They are designed to slow down or stop your car by applying direct contact to the rotor. This contact causes friction, causing them to gradually get thinner with use.

Average Lifespan: 4-6 years with normal use, or around 40,000 miles

Tires

Let's talk more about friction. The parts of a car most likely to wear down the fastest are the ones that create or experience friction. Just like brake pads, your vehicle's tires are made to wear down as they provide traction to your car.

Average Lifespan: 6 years, for average use.

Spark Plugs

Some car parts will wear out over time because of the nature of their job. Spark plugs are designed to create sparks that ignite fuel in a vehicle's engine. This repeated sparking will eventually wear the spark plugs down and they will need to be replaced.

Average Lifespan: 20,000-30,000 miles

Your Vehicle Part Source

Arnold Motor Supply has been a leading supplier of auto parts since 1927. Founded and based in Iowa,we have locations all over the midwest. Order your parts today and you'll be notified via email once your purchase is ready for pickup at your local Arnold Motor Supply or Auto Value parts store.

What Parts of My Vehicle Will Wear Out First? - Arnold Motor Supply Auto Parts Stores (2024)

FAQs

What Parts of My Vehicle Will Wear Out First? - Arnold Motor Supply Auto Parts Stores? ›

The parts of a car most likely to wear down the fastest are the ones that create or experience friction. Just like brake pads, your vehicle's tires are made to wear down as they provide traction to your car.

Which car parts are in short supply? ›

The shortage has been particularly acute for certain types of parts, such as microchips and other electronic components. These parts are essential for modern vehicles, and their scarcity has resulted in national back orders for parts.

Is it better to buy parts from dealership? ›

Warranties and Recalls - Buying parts from a dealership will allow you to benefit from the manufacturer's warranty, protecting you from further damage or repair costs. You can also be assured that in the event of a recall, the dealership will have the necessary replacement parts on hand to resolve any issue promptly.

Is there really a car parts shortage? ›

Pandemic-related supply chain shortages have become so normal that we've gotten used to them. The good news is the shortages are getting better, but not when it comes to car parts. Throwing an added wrench into the situation, factory shutdowns and labor shortages.

How do I know if my car parts will fit? ›

Know Your Vehicle's Make, Model, and Year

This information is the foundation for selecting compatible auto parts. It helps you find components designed specifically for your vehicle, ensuring a perfect fit and optimal performance.

What is the most commonly replaced car part? ›

Here are the most common parts that need routine replacement.
  • Fluids. The most common kind of proactive maintenance is oil changes, but several other automotive fluids need to be routinely drained and refilled. ...
  • Filters. ...
  • Spark Plugs. ...
  • Brake Pads. ...
  • Tires. ...
  • Car Battery. ...
  • Alternator.
Sep 26, 2022

Are there any car manufacturers not affected by the chip shortage? ›

Some companies, such as BMW, Mercedes, and Volvo, reported no significant chip supply issues early in the second half of 2022. Others like Nissan, Hyundai, and Volkswagen said that semiconductor issues were improving at that time.

Which is better, the OEM or the genuine parts? ›

OEM parts are the same as genuine parts, only they do not bear the manufacturer's logo, and the packaging is different. Also, OEM parts are generally more cost-friendly compared to genuine parts.

Are factory parts better than aftermarket? ›

Quality. OEM parts offer greater assurance of quality than aftermarket parts because they are the same as the parts on new cars and offer the same level of performance. Aftermarket parts, however, vary greatly in terms of quality, so there is a higher level of uncertainty concerning the quality of aftermarket parts.

Does brand matter for car parts? ›

The short answer: Not usually. OEM parts aren't necessarily better, nor are aftermarket replacements necessarily worse. Some are built to the same quality and specs as the factory-original part. Some are even made by the same suppliers but sold under the supplier's brand or other private label.

How to get discontinued car parts? ›

The chances of finding your part on the internet are a lot more likely than finding it locally. Online trading sites like eBay or Craigslist are great resources to search what you're looking for. Even a quick search on your favorite search engine can help you find a website that is selling the part you need.

How long do car companies make replacement parts? ›

The Car is No Longer in Production. This is one of the biggest reasons for parts shortages. Automakers continue to produce parts for a car for maybe eight to 10 years after they stop making a vehicle, but unless they're huge demand for parts after that, they then move onto making something else.

Why is it taking so long to get parts for my car? ›

Car manufacturers blame Covid and the invasion of Ukraine for disrupting global supply chains. Two-thirds of vehicle components are produced in China and the Middle East, where lockdowns hit supply and demand, while Ukraine is critical in the manufacture of semiconductors.

Which car brands use the same parts? ›

Cars that use the same parts
  • Lotus Esprit / Morris Marina: door handles. ...
  • Aston Martin DBS / Hillman Hunter: rear lights. ...
  • Jaguar XJ 220 / Citroen CX: wing mirrors. ...
  • Pagani Zonda / Rover 45: HVAC controls. ...
  • Aston Martin DB7 / Mazda 323 – rear lights. ...
  • Mercedes SLR McLaren / Mercedes Sprinter: indicator switches.
Feb 3, 2022

How do I find out what part I need for my car? ›

The VIN is a unique number used by auto parts dealers to identify the make and model of your car. You call any parts supplier, from a scrap yard to a retail store, and give them this number and description of the part you want, and that's it. From there, they will be able to help you find the right parts you need.

How do I know what parts should I order for my car? ›

A: Use the Vehicle Identification Number of the vehicle and either Google it, or contact the manufacturer or importer. That will identify the vehicle type and model. Using that information, you can then start to hunt for the correct parts. This data is essential, as there are many variants of a production run.

Which car brand is easiest to find parts? ›

“Nissan is second to none in terms of the cheapest brand to maintain and repair, aside from Toyota,” Atta said. “This brand has widely distributed parts worldwide, so finding replacement parts won't be a problem if you need to repair it.”

Is there a Toyota parts shortage? ›

TOKYO (Reuters) - Toyota Motor said it would halt six production lines at five plants in Japan from Thursday due to a parts shortage. The automaker will decide whether to resume production on the lines on Friday, a spokesperson said. Copyright 2024 Thomson Reuters.

What cars aren t in short supply? ›

Top 7 Cars Unaffected By The Chip Shortage
  • 2021 Hyundai Sonata.
  • 2021 Jeep Compass.
  • 2021 Nissan Titan.
  • 2021 Nissan Altima.
  • 2021 Ram 1500 Classic.
  • 2021 Nissan Sentra.
  • 2021 Volvo XC60.
  • 2021 Ford Expedition.
Sep 1, 2022

Is there a shortage of Honda car parts? ›

Like other carmakers, Honda has had to cut back in areas to maintain stable vehicle manufacturing throughout the supply chain situation. Many Honda parts are still in short supply. So, the automaker is handling all vehicle production and parts supply issues on a case-by-case basis.

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