Stocking a selection of essential motor spares in your garage or workshop for immediate replacement when needed, ensures that your car remains in peak condition. This is because proactive maintenance will ensure your vehicle’s longevity and save you from unexpected roadside breakdowns or even costly repairs. In this article, the motor spares professionals at Alert Engine Parts will guide you through the basic engine auto parts you should keep on hand for quick repairs to ensure your car remains roadworthy.

Essential Motor Spares to Keep in ReadinessMotor Spares

Spark Plugs

Spark plugs are vital to your car’s ignition system. They create the spark needed to ignite the air-fuel mixture in the engine cylinders, powering your vehicle. Faulty or aged plugs can lead to engine misfires, poor fuel economy and difficulty starting the car. Keeping spare spark plugs in reserve means that you can replace them quickly and maintain optimal engine performance.

Air, Fuel and Oil Filters

  • Air filters – this component cleans the air entering the engine, removing dust, dirt, insects and other particles. A clogged air filter can restrict airflow, reducing engine efficiency and performance.
  • Fuel filters – these ensure that the fuel entering the engine is free of contaminants from the fuel tank, like rust flakes, that could cause damage or reduce performance. Replacing it regularly is essential for maintaining smooth engine operation.
  • Oil filters – this filter removes particulates from the engine oil, like bearing and valve scale, ensuring the engine remains lubricated with clean, filtered oil and runs smoothly. A dirty oil filter can lead to premature engine wear and tear.

 Fan, Timing, and Connecting Belts

  • The fan belt – this belt drives the engine’s cooling fan, alternator, and sometimes, other accessories. A broken fan belt can lead to overheating, battery charging issues, and more.
  • Timing belts – these belts synchronise the rotation of the crankshaft and the camshaft, ensuring that the engine’s valves open and close timeously during each cylinder’s intake and exhaust strokes. A failing or snapped timing belt can cause catastrophic engine damage.
  • Connecting belts – these belts connect various components, including air conditioning and power steering units or hydraulicly powered systems. Typically, they will ensure ease of steering, driver comfort, and automated assistance. Regular inspection and replacement are crucial to prevent untimely failures.

Caps and Fluids

  • Radiator caps, brake, and clutch reservoir tops – Caps and tops play an important role in sealing and maintaining the pressure of their respective systems. A missing or damaged cap can lead to leaks, pressure losses, and system failures.
  • Fluids – keeping a reserve stock of motor oil, clutch and brake fluid, and gearbox oil is just as important. These fluids ensure the smooth operation of various engine systems and components. Regular checks, top-ups, and fluid changes are vital for maintaining mechanical movement and seamless performance.

The Importance of Keeping Spare Parts

Preventative maintenance through the timely replacement of essential motor spares is a natural strategy for knowledgeable vehicle owners and DIYers alike. Keeping a supply of important spare parts can save you time, money and effort during, and between regular maintenance services when these irritations usually become problematic. Let’s take a look at how this might benefit you:

Avoid downtime

Having spare parts available, means you can address minor issues immediately, preventing them from escalating into major problems that could leave you stranded while fetching the kids, or on the way to an important meeting.

Cost Savings

Without regular checks, worn or damaged parts can cause a domino effect, resulting in irreparable or costly secondary repairs. Early detection and immediate replacement with on-hand spares can prevent these expensive overhauls.

Convenience

If you are equipped with reliable, brand-approved aftermarket spares and just a little general know-how, you can perform repairs as they are discovered, without waiting for a booking with your local mechanic, especially when your vehicle is used daily.

Prolonged vehicle life

General maintenance, regular checks, fluid top-ups and the timely, proactive replacement of faulty parts help maintain your engine’s efficiency and prolong the overall lifespan of your vehicle. That is why, you should consider us here at Alert Engine Parts.

Build Your Reliable Motor Spares Reserve through Alert Engine Parts

At Alert Engine Parts, we have been the leading, brand-approved, aftermarket parts provider in South Africa for almost 80 years. We meticulously select our parts from world-renowned suppliers, and they have been rigorously tested for performance, quality and value. Whether you prefer our superior-quality Alert in-house brands or our selection of premier-brand international motor spares, contact us today, or simply pop into any of our 19 conveniently located branches nationwide. Alert Engine Parts – providing quality spare parts since 1946.