According to a technician at the Ninety Eight Auto Repair, Maintenance and Care Center (Cat Lai ward, Ho Chi Minh City), there are three items that car owners should absolutely not underestimate: the brake system, tires and fuel system. These are all parts that directly affect the operating capacity and safety level of the vehicle.
Brake system
Brake is the most important system to help control speed and stop the car safely. Just a detail such as brake pads, brake oil, total brake pump or oil pipe malfunction can also reduce braking efficiency.
One of the easily recognizable signs is that the brake pedal becomes softer, sinks deeper than usual, but the car slows down poorly. This phenomenon may be related to the hydraulic system losing pressure due to oil leakage or air leaking into the brake oil pipe.
Conversely, if the brake pedal is abnormally hard, the driver must use a lot of force to slow down, this is also a sign that the car needs to be inspected early because it may be related to the brake assist or vacuum system.
During use, vehicle owners should check the brake oil level as recommended by the manufacturer, and observe if there are signs of oil leakage in the wheel area or engine compartment. The brake pads also need to be checked periodically and replaced before the friction material layer wears down close to the metal base.
Tires
Tires are the only part that directly contacts the road surface, so any damage affects road grip and vehicle control.
When tires are worn, lack air, or the phenomenon of bulging tire walls appears, the risk of tire breakage will increase significantly, especially when the car moves at high speed on the highway or in hot weather conditions.
Car owners should check tire pressure regularly with a specialized meter instead of just observing with the naked eye. At the same time, it is necessary to monitor the uneven wear of tire spines. This phenomenon may stem from incorrect wheel placement angles, suspension systems, or wear of steering joints.
After fixing the cause of slight wear, if the two front tires have deteriorated, both tires should be replaced at the same time to ensure road grip and steering stability.
In addition to wear, tire lifespan also needs to be concerned. Most manufacturers recommend replacing tires about 5 years after production, even if the tire spin still meets the standards, because rubber will age over time, reducing durability and load-bearing capacity.
Fuel leaks pose a risk of car fire
After many years of use, fuel pipes, rubber joints, joints or fuel pumping areas may age, crack or become open, causing gasoline or oil to leak out. When fuel encounters high heat or electric sparks from the electrical system on the car, the risk of fire and explosion will increase.
Some warning signs include gasoline odor appearing immediately when opening the car door, strong fuel smell in the engine compartment or detecting moisture, abnormal flow around the engine, undercarriage or fuel tank area.
When detecting these signs, vehicle owners should not continue to use the vehicle but should take the vehicle to a repair facility for inspection and immediate handling, to avoid the risk of fire and explosion during operation.
