5 Most Common Car Repairs in the US
No one wants to pay to maintain their car. Have you ever wondered what the most common jobs in the automotive industry are? Here are some of the top auto repair jobs in the United States. The best thing about this list is that most of the repairs can be done by a home mechanic if needed.
It’s a very simple fix
1) Change the oil
Every internal combustion engine needs an oil change between 3,000 and 6,000 miles. Since the average American driver drives about 13,000 miles per year, every driver needs 2-4 oil changes per year. There are more than 220 million licensed drivers in America, and they change their oil a lot.
Changing the oil for engines is very easy and the process is the same between makes and models. You’ll probably see quick service oil stations around town, because oil changes are a regular part of car maintenance.
These shops are great for getting cars in and out quickly for oil changes and other maintenance. Since changing the oil is a simple task, it is also the easiest to do. It’s easy for engineers to get busy or lose focus on their work because it’s something they’ve done hundreds of times.
Unfortunately, the consequences of oil change are negative. If your engine is low on oil, even for just a few seconds, it will immediately break down. In extreme cases, the engine may stop. This can turn $50 in oil into a $5,000 repair bill, possibly more depending on the damage.
2) Tire repair
Not all roads are maintained as they should be. Hard objects such as screws and nails may be left at the construction site. The roads are full of small accidents that you can’t see unless you touch them. This type of dirt can easily damage tires. It is common to repair tires and need to patch leaks to keep the air up. As long as these problems are fixed quickly, repaired tires can be driven without problems for the rest of their life.
Not all flat tires can be repaired. If the tire is damaged, it cannot be repaired. If the sidewall of the tire is punctured, there is too much twist for a good patch. Many tire shops refuse to repair the outer part of the tread near the sidewall.
3) Braking operation
Frying pans are a consumable item. Every time you slow down, a small part of your damaged tissue will dissolve. After many miles, your insides will be tired. Home mechanics can do this very easily, as long as they know how to properly lift and support the vehicle. Braking requires loosening of each wheel.
Many shops charge labor rates for repairs, so if you like mechanics, this is a great way to save money. However, make sure you do. Braking cannot be neglected. When you’re going 70+ miles per hour on the highway, you don’t want to cut corners on parts to help you stop.
4) New tires
Consumables must be replaced after a certain period of time. Like tires, tires grip the road by dampening a small part of the tread. After tens of thousands of miles, the tread pattern wears out and requires a new tire.
Unless you buy a wheel and tire package that already has tires installed (like those offered by Tire Rack), you’ll need to go to a tire shop to have new tires installed. Tire installation requires special tools that are not easily accessible in a home mechanic. Fortunately, most installation and calibration procedures are quick and inexpensive.
5) Replace the air filter
The engine needs plenty of clean air to burn properly. The air filter is placed before the intake to prevent small particles and dirt from entering the combustion chamber. After 15,000 to 30,000 miles of driving, these air filters become dirty and need to be replaced. Many air filters are easy to adjust. Some air filter replacements do not require tools. If you’re looking for an easy way to start working on your engine, replacing the air filter is a great place to start.
Car Maintenance Statistics
While it would be nice if workshops could produce statistics on the type and amount of work they complete, this is not realistic. It is very difficult to scientifically determine which jobs are the most visible, but it is easy to make a decision based on the work times for different vehicles.
For example, when the catalytic converter ages, it is common to replace the oxygen sensor as a final Hail Mary before replacing the entire catalytic converter. If you fix your car, what parts do you always replace? Please leave a comment below.
