The Importance of Regular Maintenance for JDM Engines

Regular maintenance on your Japanese Domestic Market, or JDM, vehicle is vital. Why? Because proper care of the engine prolongs the car's lifespan, maximizes its performance including fuel efficiency and ensures the reliability you're counting on. As JDM engines are considered high-performance, there are some crucial maintenance steps that you should take. 

What are JDM Vehicles?

JDM cars are those designed to be sold in the Japanese domestic market. Unless imported, they are not manufactured for American drivers. Because regulations and restrictions are different than elsewhere, JDM models often have specialized features and designs that you can only find in Japan. In other words, you can define a JDM engine as one created specifically with Japanese driving in mind. 

Enthusiasts around the world love JDM cars for a variety of reasons, most especially their high-performance engines and exclusive models. The following are examples of JDM cars that are highly sought after. 

• Subaru Impreza WRX STI
• Toyota Supra
• Honda Civic Type R
• Nissan Skyline GT-R
• Mazda RX-7

A consistent and comprehensive maintenance schedule plays a crucial role in ensuring the longevity and performance of your JDM engine. Keep reading to learn more about why maintenance is such an important part of owning a car manufactured for the Japanese Domestic Market.

Reasons to Perform Proper Maintenance on Your JDM Car

Longevity and Durability

Perhaps one of the top reasons why maintenance is so vital is that plays a role in how long and how far you can drive your JDM car before it needs to be replaced. The better care you take of your engine, the longer it's going to last and the less likely that you'll have to do costly repairs or replace certain parts of the engine. 

Routine tasks should include regular checks, as well as properly scheduled oil changes and coolant flushes. You'll need to replace worn-out parts immediately, preventing the wear and tear that can interfere with optimal performance, keeping you out on the road without cause for worry.

Performance Optimization

JDM enthusiasts love the cars because of their high performance, so it makes sense that regular maintenance will keep them working optimally. Checking the JDM engine performance and the engine components that play a role in it is a valuable step in car care that you must include in your routine.

To keep your car moving fast and performing well, you need to keep an eye on the engine oil levels, topping them off and doing oil changes when necessary. Your fuel and air filters should always be cleaned and replaced when they get dirty. Check and replace timing belts and spark plugs, according to the manufacturer's directions. You'll also want to check the coolant levels, transmission fluid and fuel lines often as well as general signs of wear. This combination of tasks gives you the best torque, horsepower and peak efficiency from your JDM engine. 

Prevention of Costly Repairs

There's nothing worse than unexpected breakdowns that cost you a lot of money. Performing consistent inspections and routine maintenance on your JDM car plays a vital role in preventing costly repairs that you would rather not deal with. It also allows you to fix minor problems before they turn into something bigger and more expensive.

Set performance goals and take the time to repair minor leaks and worn-out brake pads, brake components, gaskets and other necessary elements of the engine as soon as you detect an issue. This will save you plenty of money over time and keep you driving your JDM car for many years to come. 

Safety

A worn-out car that isn't working the way it should poses a hefty safety risk. For that reason, you've got to do frequent maintenance on both the engine and the other parts of the car. Engine failure or complete brake failure can be dangerous, as can driving with broken or damaged parts.

In addition to checking the engine fluids for their correct level, and inspecting the filter condition, check the brake pads and brake fluid.

Look for tire wear that tells you it's time to have them replaced. Remember there are legal requirements regarding tread wear limits.  According to DOT tire regulations, the minimum tire tread depth for steer tires or any tire on the front wheel is 4/32 of an inch. Other tires must have a minimum tread depth of 2/32 of an inch. The CVSA also has minimum tread depth, which is less stringent than the DOT's.

Have any strange sounds checked out by a professional at a reputable auto repair shop and have any signs of damage checked out right away too. 

Compliance with Emission Standards

JDM vehicles must adhere to stringent emission standards and complying with them requires consistent maintenance. If your car can't pass emission testing, you could find yourself facing legal issues and ancillary costs as you work to get it compliant. 

You can prevent this from happening to you by keeping your car properly tuned and checking that the entire exhaust system is performing to standards. This is important because it ensures that your engine runs cleanly, reducing emissions when you're on the road. Not only is this necessary for automotive performance, but it also has environmental benefits.

Preservation of Engine Value

Whether you're an enthusiast or you collect JDM vehicles, you naturally want the engine to last as long as possible without compromising vehicle performance or the value of the car. A detailed maintenance schedule is the best way to make this happen.

Any tasks that you carry out should be logged in the maintenance records. That way you can prove that the engine has been taken care of. This becomes even more important if you ever decide to sell the vehicle.

Enhanced Driving Experience

Part of the fun of having a JDM vehicle is the driving experience. A well-cared-for engine is smooth and responsive and makes getting out on the road that much better. When the car accelerates well, operates at peak capability and is quiet, you will enjoy your time driving it without worrying that something is malfunctioning or the threat of major repairs.

The tasks listed above are all a necessary part of making the driving experience all that it can be. Read on to find a comprehensive review of the maintenance tasks you should undertake as a proactive approach if you own and drive a JDM car. 

Maintenance Tasks for JDM Engines

Change the oil

Regular oil and filter changes optimize lubrication in the engine and help regulate its temperature while driving. Important elements of a well-maintained fuel system, these should be done every few thousand miles. Oil that sits in the engine and gets old accumulates debris and contaminants that interfere with vehicle performance. You can check the engine oil levels using the dipstick and should top it up between oil changes as necessary to avoid potential issues.

Check the Coolant System

This involves both flushing the entire system and replacing the coolant fluids, which helps protect against corrosion and the engine overheating. Your car cannot run without coolant and a properly working system. That makes it vital to check your levels regularly and fill up when needed. Most experts suggest a 50/50 mix of coolant fluid and water. Many coolant fluids you buy in stores is already mixed and you simply need to pour it into the reservoir. 

Replace Air and Fuel Filters

Clean filters optimize air and fuel flow inside the engine. Anytime you take your car in for a professional oil change, the technicians will also check your filters and recommend cleaning or replacing them. You can check them yourself consistently as well. Driving with dirty filters can compromise function and lead to bigger issues down the road, so take care of them often. 

Replace Spark Plugs

Proper and efficient ignition and combustion is reliant on clean and properly working spark plugs. Unless you know how to do this job, it's best left to the professionals. If spark plugs malfunction or are improperly installed, your car won't run well or may not run at all. For that reason, consistently checking the condition of your spark plugs is a good step in basic maintenance. 

Inspect the Timing Belt/Chain

A malfunctioning timing belt or timing chain can cause costly engine damage. Make sure to have a look at it on a consistent basis and take your JDM car to the professionals if the timing belt or timing chain looks damaged or worn. Continuing to drive can damage your engine, costing you much more to repair. 

Perform Regular Inspections

This is the single best way to detect potential problems a well-maintained car so they can be taken care of before they get worse. Many of these tasks, such as checking tire wear and windshield washer fluid, can be done yourself. However, if something needs to be addressed, get your car to the shop so the job can be done correctly and safely.

Summary

JDM cars require careful and regular maintenance to optimize their performance and ensure a top-tier driving experience. Taking good care of your car also means it will last longer and be more reliable, as well as preventing costly repairs and posing safety risks when you drive. You'll also stay compliant with emission requirements and hold onto the overall value of the car's engine. There's no time like the present to open the hood and get started. 

Sometimes, even the most diligent and proactive maintenance may not prevent issues and you may need the services of a mechanic or to buy spare parts. JDM West Coast is one of the region’s premier supplier of JDM engines and parts