4x4 Maintenance

How often do you change the shock absorbers and other parts of your 4x4?

At Central 4x4, we always advise all our customers and users to go to their trusted workshop to ensure their vehicles are perfectly maintained. To answer this question, we have contacted our confidant. CSA 4x4 with whom we have been working for so many years. And this has been his response:

The first thing we need to be clear about is the type of use we give our vehicle. It's not the same to have an all-terrain vehicle as a daily car to take the kids to school, as if you're going to use it for routes, and much less so if you've just returned from an adventure. If your case is either of the latter two, then we strongly recommend that you go to a specialized 4x4 workshop.

In this article, we will cover topics such as how many kilometers to change the shock absorbers on an off-road vehicle, what are the essential items and products for maintaining your car, and what are the most worn or consumable parts.

4x4 Wear Parts

Battery

WHAT THEY ARE: Make sure the terminals aren't corroded; otherwise, use baking soda to clean them.
POSSIBLE MALFUNCTION: Check for loose cables to ensure the battery is securely fastened.
BATTERY MAINTENANCE TIP: Repeatedly starting and stopping your 4x4's engine leads to increased wear on some of its vital parts. Try to minimize these actions to help keep your engine in good condition.

BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS

- WHAT THEY ARE: Brake pads are responsible for creating friction with the brake discs so that when we press the pedal, the vehicle stops.
- Mileage: 25,000 km
- HOW TO KNOW IF THEY NEED CHANGING: They can cause difficulties during braking and often make noise, squeaking.
- BRAKE MAINTENANCE ADVICE: Brake fluid directly affects vehicle safety, so extreme caution is necessary. Remember to check the original specified brake fluid, as different types are incompatible with each other.

Timing belt

- WHAT ARE THEY: They are responsible for synchronizing the crankshaft movement and the camshaft, whose function is so that the valves can be opened and closed without being hit by the pistons.
- Miles of wear: Between 37,000-99,000 miles
- HOW TO KNOW IF THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED: You might hear a squealing noise, or see that the belts are worn out or have cracks in them, if you notice that the car vibrates when stopped, if you see an unusual shine on any part of the belt which would mean it's probably misaligned, or if you notice the car has difficulty starting.

SPARK PLUGS:

WHAT THEY ARE: Components responsible for igniting the spark inside the cylinder to produce the energy that moves the engine.
MILEAGE: 40.00 miles.
HOW TO KNOW IF THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED: The main symptom of a faulty spark plug is a failure to start and loss of power.

DIFFERENTIALS:

WHAT IT IS: Mechanical component whose function is to allow different rotational speeds between the right and left wheels (differential, front or rear), or between the front and rear wheels (center differential)
ADVICE: Check the oil and tighten the drain plug after every off-road ride.
WHAT TO IMPROVE ON YOUR DIFFERENTIALS: If your 4x4 has rear-facing differential covers, it's a good idea to protect them to prevent potential oil leaks caused by impacts.

Clutch

WHAT IT IS: Component located between the engine's output and the gearbox. It allows for decoupling the engine from the rest of the drivetrain.
ADVICE: Check the adjustment and try to avoid engaging the clutch in deep mud or water.
HOW TO PREVENT EXCESSIVE WEAR: You may be using the clutch improperly by not fully depressing it when changing gears, which causes excessive pressure on the clutch discs, shortening their lifespan.

THE BEST STORE IN MADRID 4x4 Shock Absorbers

Parts to Change During Your 4x4's Maintenance

FUEL FILTER

- What it is: A component that prevents fuel impurities from entering the engine.
- WHEN TO CHANGE IT: Every 3 years
- WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THEY ARE NOT IN GOOD CONDITION: It causes corrosion of components and loss of power.

AIR FILTER

WHAT IT IS: A component that filters the air entering your vehicle's intake manifold. In other words, it's like the lungs of a living being. Check it for dust and dirt, and if necessary, clean or replace it.
WHEN TO CHANGE IT?: 15000Km
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THEY ARE NOT IN GOOD CONDITION: Filters do not improve engine power, but rather its reliability. They improve its cleanliness and will increase engine reliability.

ENGINE OIL AND FILTER:

WHAT IT IS: The quintessential element responsible for the friction between all the moving components of your vehicle.
ADVICE: Check the oil level and change it regularly based on the type of oil and the mileage covered during that period. Use one type or another depending on your needs. For normal use, stick to the manufacturer's recommendations.
WHEN TO CHANGE IT?: 15000Km

COOLANT

What is it: The element par excellence responsible for transferring heat generated by the engine to the radiator.
TIPS: Checking them regularly will help you save on costly repairs and even prevent accidents. Nearly 50% of engine problems can be traced back to poor cooling.
WHEN DOES IT NEED TO BE REPLACED?: 40,000 km. It is essential to always check that the level is adequate