Repair This Car Part or Replace It?

By theadmin

The Lone Star State offers Texas drivers tons of chances to hit the open road, with more than 79,000 miles of farm-to-market, ranch-to-market, state, U.S., and interstate highways (i.e., more maintained roadways than any other state, according to the Texas Department of Transportation). But even with miles and miles of maintained roadways to choose from, sometimes the hardest choice of being a Texas driver comes in the form of maintenance decisions for your vehicle.

While obvious breaks and scrapes make it easy to know when your car needs work, minor mishaps with windshields, tires, and minor rust spots can be a bit more tricky when it comes time to decide whether or not to patch or replace them. The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles recommends that all drivers stay on top of their car’s maintenance, adding that if you “take care of your vehicle, it will take care of you.” Repairs just make good financial sense in most maintenance cases (offering an immediate lower ticket price than a full replacement), but there are times when it actually makes more sense in the long term to replace a windshield, tire, or rusted part. Here are a few tips and tricks for deciding when to repair or replace any of those items.

Windshields

Car windshields do so much more than simply provide a clear separation between the inside and outside of your vehicle; as the Auto Glass Safety Council (AGSC) likes to put it, auto windshields actually act as safety shields to protect the passengers inside the vehicle from the outdoor elements. In fact, the AGSC notes that proper installation of the windshield and side window glass will determine whether or not the air bags deploy correctly, highlighting the importance of windshield maintenance. If you just have a small rock chip on the windshield that hasn’t spiderwebbed larger than the size of a nickel or so, have the chip repaired as opposed to replacing the entire windshield. If you’re covered with Texas Farm Bureau Insurance and repair the cracks before they grow, your deductible will be waived.

However, if the crack impedes the vision of the driver, then it’s best to replace it, especially since cracks generally worsen with time. But with any nick or crack, it’s always a good idea to have the glass checked out by a professional and check with your insurance provider to see what they will cover.

Tires

Tires provide a crucial connection between you and the road, and maintenance of these vital pieces can be key in maximizing your entire vehicle’s overall health and suspension system.

The general rule with tires is: When in doubt, replace. A nail in the tire can generally be repaired as long as it’s not in the sidewall of the tire, but other than that, it’s better to replace anything showing excessive or irregular wear. Never let your tire tread get below 3/32 of an inch — not only is that an inspection-failing figure in the state of Texas, but it also hinders your gas mileage. Don’t gamble by driving on old tires; use the trick of reading the last four digits on the DOT number on the side of the tire, as these numbers indicate the week and year the tire was built.

Minor Rust Spots

Rust spots appear when metal comes in contact with oxygen, and this process, known as oxidation, will eat away at the metal over time. The best maintenance is to frequently wash the car, paying attention to the undercarriage, and store the vehicle in a covered space.

If you do notice minor rust, act quickly, as early detection is key to avoid having to replace any expensive pieces like back quarter panels or exhaust pipes. Consult with your local body shop to help decide if the rust on your car is within repair.