Your Toyota has a battery that powers different electrical components in your vehicle, but that battery needs to charge. Too much use with no additional charge will quickly deplete this battery, and you won’t be able to get anywhere. But there’s a car part that makes sure that doesn’t happen—the alternator. This component converts mechanical energy to electrical energy to keep your battery running, but it can wear and break over time. If this happens, learn why you shouldn’t wait to replace your Toyota’s alternator.

Poor Performance

The biggest reason you shouldn’t wait to replace your Toyota’s alternator is that waiting could lead to poor performance until you end up replacing it. A faulty or worn-down alternator is going to lead to poor performance in multiple systems in your car, including the electrical components. You’ll quickly notice poor performance from many—if not all—of these components:

• Air conditioning
• Audio systems
• Windshield wipers
• Headlights

The alternator also can influence your engine, so not replacing it will lead to a stalling or failing engine. Your alternator could lose its ability to generate electricity, but there could also be issues like loose wiring and a damaged voltage regulator, things that will hurt your Toyota’s engine.

Expensive Repairs

The longer you wait to replace your alternator, the more that poor performance will turn into expensive repairs. When you delay an alternator repair, you’ll need to pay more for additional repairs that wouldn’t have been an issue if you had handled the initial repair sooner. For example, there will potentially be issues with your battery and wiring systems due to a delay. Instead of letting that happen, address alternator repairs and replacements quickly.

Lower Fuel Economy

Another reason you should replace your alternator sooner rather than later is to maintain good fuel economy. Your Toyota will struggle more than normal with a faulty alternator, so you’ll end up needing to take more trips to the gas station. This results in higher monthly fuel bills. Instead of letting your fuel economy suffer, take care of your alternator and get back to saving money at the pump again.

You shouldn’t wait to replace your Toyota’s alternator because the longer you wait, the worse situation you’re putting yourself and your Toyota in. Waiting too long will potentially damage the alternator and other components in your Toyota beyond repair. Instead of waiting, let Yota Shop take care of you. We have numerous Denso auto parts and Toyota accessories so you can breathe new life into your Toyota and alternator and get back on the road.