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The technicians at our Mazda dealership in Olathe have seen it all too often: a snapped timing belt, a rusted battery connector, or a broken spark plug that damaged the engine. Without proper care and timely replacement, a neglected Mazda car part can lead to a catastrophic malfunction. Here are five Mazda car parts you may be neglecting.

1. Timing Belt

Though more durable timing chains have become commonplace, drivers with older vehicles still need to take care of their timing belts. The belts are rubber and will snap when they get too brittle, potentially causing the valves to collide with the pistons.

2. Battery Connections

We don’t often think about the car battery until it dies on the side of the road, which is why it pays to check the connections to the car battery. These can become corroded, get dirty, or build up mineral deposits. Keeping these connections clean or replacing them could extend your battery's life cycle.

3. Engine Mounts

Just as the name implies, the engine mounts keep the SKYACTIV®-G engine in place and working smoothly. They last anywhere from five to seven years on average. Without proper replacement, you will notice your vehicle's performance degrade or even possible engine failure.

4. Spark Plugs

Modern spark plugs often last up to 100,000 miles before they need to be replaced, so people often forget about them to their detriment. A malfunctioning or broken spark plug can corrupt the catalytic converter or even fall off into the engine causing even more significant issues.

5. Gas Cap

If you are driving an older Mazda SUV or car, there’s a greater chance the gas cap’s rubber seal has become loose. Easy to miss, a loose gas cap seal will decrease fuel economy over time, costing you more and more over time until it gets replaced.

This is a lot to keep track of, but that’s what the service technicians at the Tumminia Mazda service center are here for! They’ll inspect your vehicle and make sure everything is replaced with genuine Mazda parts designed for your vehicle.