In vehicles where maintenance is neglected, expenses can exceed 100 thousand lira

In these days when the air temperatures are above seasonal norms, experts warn drivers not to neglect vehicle maintenance, noting that overlooked vehicle maintenance can lead to expenses of over 100,000 Turkish Lira, while pointing out the significant risks posed by parts that are not replaced.

As the oppressive heat continues, vehicle service expert İsa Mermer has issued warnings to citizens using their vehicles in hot weather for a safe and comfortable journey. Mermer stated that neglecting vehicle maintenance can lead to major damage in vehicles and emphasized the importance of engine and fluid maintenance as well as tire maintenance. He highlighted that fluid and periodic maintenance are crucial for the efficient use of vehicles. “Antifreeze is a material that should be in vehicles both in summer and winter. It does not boil at 90 degrees like water. It protects itself up to 120 degrees and prevents corrosion in the radiator and cooling system within the vehicle. Another point is that since we are coming out of winter, brake pads and brake discs become deformed due to significant exposure to water. These also need to be checked. Vehicle hydraulic fluid needs to be changed at certain intervals. Once the entire brake system loses its oil properties, it can cause rust and corrosion. Therefore, problems arise in the brakes. At certain maintenance intervals, especially brake fluid and antifreeze need to be changed. Citizens usually do not foresee these; they do not see the need to change them unless they run low or the temperature drops. However, antifreeze and brake fluid also lose their properties after a certain period, so they need to be replaced as well,” he said.

“Parts that are not replaced can cause vehicle explosions”

Emphasizing the importance of checking the fuel system components in gasoline vehicles, İsa Mermer stated, “In gasoline vehicles, LPG is also installed. Particularly in injected models, there is a component called the fuel pump that cools down with gasoline. During summer, due to the lack of fuel at a certain level, the fuel pump overheats. As a result, the fuel pump may fail, and sometimes it can even catch fire. God forbid, this can lead to vehicle explosions and fires. Therefore, during the summer, the fuel light should not come on if possible. There should be a quarter or half a tank of fuel in gasoline vehicles. In carburetor models, it is necessary to switch to gasoline from time to time. If this is not done, the diaphragms on the carburetor and the gasoline hoses will rot, dry out, and crumble if gasoline does not pass through them for a long time after the first passage. When the vehicle is switched to gasoline, it can leak gasoline from all those cracked areas, increasing the risk of fire in the heated engine,” he explained.

“The cost of resetting a damaged engine is 130,000 Lira”

Vehicle service expert Mermer mentioned that neglected maintenance can lead to high costs, saying, “If you do not follow up on vehicle maintenance and use a 10,000 Lira oil for 20,000 kilometers, this oil will cause corrosion in the engine just like sunflower oil. It will cause sludge formation. Over time, it will damage all the components inside the engine, cause oil burning, malfunction the turbo, and harm the components inside the engine. After that, the cost of resetting a damaged engine is approximately 130,000 Lira. Therefore, it is essential to perform maintenance every 10,000 to 20,000 kilometers without interruption, which will be very beneficial for the vehicle and advantageous for the customer’s pocket. The more you care for the vehicle, the more it will take care of you and not leave you stranded. The cost for all filters and oil changes ranges from 3,000 to 5,000 Lira. There is also a type that involves the engine’s timing belt and heavy maintenance, which costs around 13,000 Lira. Each of these maintenance tasks needs to be tracked by the customer along with the maintenance records. If these times pass without being noticed, they can cause significant damage.”