What "signs" do i look for that tells me I might need to change them... apart from having a flat or stalled car of course lol.
p/s: I am a total car maintenance newbie
2006-09-02 00:38:42 · 11 answers · asked by Tiara 4 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
AS A GENERAL RULE---
Most car batteries are good for from 3-5 years, depending on the quality and the degree of maintenance.
As for the telltale signs of failure, there aren't many other than the car begins to crank over a little slow. The only other sign is the car won't start in the morning.
There are signs that the mechanic sees, but you won't notice it because you aren't checking it and probably don't have the equipment.
As for tires, those are easier to check.
If you look closely at the tread pattern, at the bottom of the grooves, you will see little raised bars that run across the entire tread. When you can see them clearly, and they are as exposed as the tread, the tires are no longer safe or legal.
These are the 'safety bars' that are cast into the rubber to identify when they have reached a tread depth less than 2/32".
You can also tell it is time when you place a penny with Lincoln's head toward the tread. If you can see the top of his head, you have less than 2/32" remaining.
It is smart to not allow them to get this worn, because this is the absolute minimum tread. It is best to keep at least 4/32" (1/8") tread depth, and then begin to look for sales.
Replace them with the size recommended by the manufacturer, and replace them in matching pairs left to right.
Keep them inflated properly (check the owner's manual or the driver's door post) for longer tire wear and safety, not to mention the fuel economy.
Hope this clears things up
Good Luck
2006-09-02 00:57:24 · answer #1 · answered by Ironhand 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
A cars battery will vary in the length of life it delivers but generally 3 to 5 years at the outside is a normal life span and unfortunately they often give you little if any warning sign except the day it won,t start. As far as the tires go there are built in tread wear indicators that let you know when the tread is getting down to an unsafe point of wear. These are small bands in between the grooves of the tire tread that when flush with the tire surface indicate that it is time to replace the tires or if you have a tire depth gage less than 2/32 of an inch is getting about time to start looking for new tires.
2006-09-02 01:58:05 · answer #2 · answered by Iknowthisone 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Down southern USA heat is hard on tyres tires and battery's liquid evaporates. So after you have 50,000km or 25,000 miles you should have tread on the tires checked and replace if tread is 2/32 inch or 1mm Batteries you may notice a different sound or slower than normal cranking of the motor. If you notice it is good get the battery inspected. But what usually happens you turn the key machine gun like clicks or one click and no lights or dim lights.
2006-09-02 01:01:55 · answer #3 · answered by John Paul 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try to find an honest repair shop, where you can have your maintenance done. Get to know them , Oil inspection includes
tire check and battery inspection. There are many factors a new
battery can fail just as a new tire can be defective. Weather is
a big factor Regular inspections at 3000 miles when you have
your oil service can keep you from being surprised by a bad
battery or bald tires.
Ase Master Tech.
2006-09-02 02:06:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look carefully at the tread of your car tires. Most manufactureres will have an indicator (or marking) on the tire, when it wears down to a certain point. It's always best to go to a proffessional.
Batteries can have a life of up to 2 even 3 years. You'll need to add distilled water occasionaly. You might want to get a multimeter to measure the volatage that the battery still has.
2006-09-02 01:00:37 · answer #5 · answered by The Met 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm not too sure about car battery, but your tyres needs to be changed when they're isn't much grip on the tyres, when it's been worn down. This takes about 1 year I think. But if you don't want to fork out alot of money for new tyres every year, then go to your local garage and buy 2nd hand tyres, then still have grip on them and they're cheaper too :D
2006-09-02 00:43:46 · answer #6 · answered by susanradford18 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If u get up one morning and turn the key and it does nothing then its time for a new battery .
Use them tyres till there bald as a babbys a$$
2006-09-02 02:24:11 · answer #7 · answered by Terry S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
car battery - 5 to 6 years if you check the battery and make sure the electrolyte is topped up and the terminals are clean
car tyres - 50,000 to 60,000 km. and you have to make sure that the front wheels are checked and wheel alignment carried out once every 2 to 3 years to prevent uneven wear due to wheel out of alignment
For car battery - if you start to find it hard to start and this is usually the early warning of your battery going flat or worn out.
2006-09-02 00:50:09 · answer #8 · answered by AO 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
the tires have "tread wear indicators" which are in the treads and exposed when they wear down. If they are flush with the treads it's time for new tires. As for the battery, if you have the kind you can check .You can add distilled water when it gets low.Other than that there is nothing you can do and replace it just when it no longer works
2006-09-02 04:55:04 · answer #9 · answered by Mr Toooo Sexy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Pushing a battery past 5 years is pushing your luck. There may be a date poked out of the decal on the battery.
Tires just need some tread on them.
2006-09-02 00:46:49 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋