Here are the most common seasonal car repairs

• Are there seasonal auto repairs?
• New research examines the most frequent repairs according to season.

Do certain car parts break down more often in the winter? There are seasonal car repairs. YourMechanic , a mobile car repair company, has conducted a study to determine the most common issues with car repairs by season. The study analyzed the most common service requests, and found some surprising but interesting results.

Rob Francis, VP of Growth & Operations at YourMechanic, said: “While certain results are expected, it is interesting to see that there are some more unexpected issues happening at certain times during the year.”

Top seasonal car repairs

The study found that spring is the time when window motors and window regulators are most likely to malfunction, as well as wheel speed sensors, timing chains, and window regulators. In particular, the timing chain accounts for 44 per cent of repairs. It will be replaced most likely in spring.

Summer isn’t just about beaches, road trips and refreshing drinks. According to the study, the most common problems with cars when it gets hot are HVAC failures, broken cooling fans and timing chain repairs. In the fall, the temperature will drop and cause issues with the heater, air springs, engine gaskets, distributor, and timing cover.

Winter is frosty and brings with it its own challenges. Your car’s oil cooler lines and windshield washers will need extra attention during this period.

Expert Analysis on Seasonal Car Repairs

Brandon Grade, Service advisor at Findlay Toyota, Las Vegas, Nevada, explained that many of the problems listed were unpredictable. Regular maintenance and inspections will help to catch a problem before it becomes a catastrophe. “But I don’t think you can prevent a window-motor failure, no matter how well you maintain the car.”

The YourMechanic data are interesting but can also be misleading. The data, for example, puts a great deal of emphasis on window lift motors or regulators that are failing,” said Rocco deMas. This is a problem that I see all year round. Winter is a time when people use their windows less and are therefore more aware of any window motor or regulator failures.

By comparing the number of quotes YourMechanic provided for different repairs by season, we were able to analyze the data. Then, the seasonal percentages of each quote were calculated to determine which quotes are most heavily weighted by season. For the study on seasonal car repairs, only services with at least 1,000 quotes were considered.

The timing is everything

It’s interesting to note that timing chains are a subject of consensus. Timing chains, on the other hand, are different. They can last anywhere between 40,000 and 100,000 miles. They are metal, and therefore more durable than rubberized chains. The chain is less likely to snap off while driving.

The chain is located inside the motor, and it’s constantly lubricated with engine oil. It is not necessary to replace the timing chain unless there is a serious issue. Some manufacturers do not include the timing chain on their service list. To be clear, engine misfires are a sign of a failing or bad timing chain, as is a rattling noise when the car is idling and metal shavings found in the oil.

YourMechanic found that timing chains are more susceptible in the spring and summer.

YourMechanic wrote in the study that this is probably due to the fact that spring and summer are much more dry seasons. This results in a great deal more dust and grit being deposited in the oil coating the timing chain. This dust and grit may reduce the lifespan of the timing chain.

 

Seasonal Swings

The winter is often thought to be the most difficult season for cars. Our experts disagree with this opinion, which is understandable.

“I live in Las Vegas Nevada. We have mild winters compared to other parts of the country. This is especially true when it comes down to car maintenance. “We rarely have freezing temperatures or even snow, but our summers can be brutal,” Grade said. “Anything mechanically weak that was before the heat hit fails. We will sometimes see weeks with temperatures above 110 degrees.

DeMas says that the body of our vehicles is the one that takes the brunt of winter.

DeMas explained that winter is tough on cars due to collisions and corrosion. However, people drive less in the cold, which means there is less wear. DeMas said that people also let their cars heat up more and this is usually good for many parts of the powertrain.

Which is better: the owner’s manual or the dealer?

Sometimes the owner’s guide and the service department of the dealership have different views on the servicing of vehicles. Keep your car in top condition to avoid costly repairs. Under normal conditions, you can expect to drive for thousands of miles.

The people who made the car know how to maintain it. Grade explained that knowing what your owner’s guide says about maintaining your car will help. As a service advisor I follow manufacturer guidelines as closely as possible.

Communication is just as important as reading the manual.

Francis advised: “Plan regular scheduled maintenance with a reputable mechanic. If any issues are unknown, contact them immediately.”

Listening to the dealership’s recommendations is a great idea. They know more about the wear and tear on local markets. DeMas said that everyone agreed the recommended scheduled maintenance by the automaker was the minimum. If you build a good relationship with your dealership, they will give you great advice and prevent you from spending money on maintenance you may not need.

YourMechanic, unlike a traditional service division, makes “house calls” every day of the week. The mobile auto repair company offers over 600 diagnostic and maintenance services in average. Photo: YourMechanic.

Do Not Sweat Too Much

It begs the following question: Is there anything that a person of average means can do to avoid some or all of these maintenance issues?

Grade replied, “As for the failures listed per season, I would say no.” This is why I recommend an extended warranty on repairs or a maintenance contract from the dealer.

DeMas said, “Most of what is listed in YourMechanic’s article you cannot really plan for.” There’s no maintenance required for the window regulators or climate control system.

Preventive maintenance is the cure

The AC will not blow hot air into the cabin intermittently during the summer. These things do and can happen. But the best way to ensure a long-lasting vehicle is by performing the most basic maintenance. This includes oil changes, tire rotations, and changing filters.

Maintenance saves money. Tires will wear faster if you ignore the low tire pressure light or tire rotations. DeMas explained that instead of buying new tires every 50,000 miles , you should buy a set after 30,000. If you skip replacing your fuel filter or air filters, it will cause fuel to be wasted. You may save $20 or $50 on a fuel filter, but waste $5 per tank of gasoline. You’ll be in the red before you know it.”

It is better to start small before you need to go all out.

DeMas added, “Maintenance means spending a small amount of money today to save lots of money in the future.” “People don’t usually save money when they ignore or skip maintenance, at least in the long term.”

Francis said that ignoring any concerns can make the problem worse and can even be dangerous. “Especially when driving on the road.”

Alvin Reyes, Associate Editor at Automoblog. In his youth, he studied aeronautics and accounting, but he is still a fan of his old Lancer GSR or Galant SS. Fried chicken, music and herbal medicine are also his favorites.