Whether you have owned your vehicle for many years or recently purchased a used vehicle with a lot of miles on it already, there are a few things to keep in mind as far as maintenance. High-mileage cars need more tender loving care than newer vehicles. You might be able to get away with forgoing routine maintenance with a young, resilient car, but for an older vehicle, make sure you take care of it the right way.
Get Oil Changes More Often
The old piece of wisdom was that cars needed oil changes once every 3,000 miles. As vehicles have gotten more efficient, they can go longer between oil changes. However, once your car gets over 75,000 miles, you really need to stick with a more rigid schedule. Make sure you follow your car’s manual for how frequently you should get your oil changed. You should also ensure the mechanic you take your vehicle to for oil changes uses fluids that are specifically designed to assist high-mileage cars.
Change Other Fluids
Oil is important, but your vehicle also depends on coolant, transmission fluids and brake fluids to function correctly. Things such as the power steering fluid do not have to be changed as frequently as engine oil, but you still need to keep an eye on them if your vehicle is getting over 100,000 miles. Once you hit that 100,000-mile mark, it does not hurt to get your car inspected so that those fluids can be replaced. This is also a good time for a professional to clean out filters to ensure fluids can continue flowing effortlessly.
Replace Hoses and Belts as Needed
The belts and hoses found inside your car are made mostly out of rubber. While ordinarily resilient, it will begin to show its age after many years of exposure to heat. You definitely want to get them inspected if your vehicle has more than 100,000 miles on it and still has all its original parts. It is probably time to get them replaced.
Inspect the Timing Belt
The timing belt plays an important role in the proper functionality of your car’s engine. For minor cases of wear and tear, a mechanic should be able to repair it fairly easily. However, if it gets too badly damaged, then you will need to replace the entire component, and that can add up. Most timing belts are designed to last between 60,000 and 100,000 miles. If your car is reaching that point and you still have the original belt, then you absolutely need to get it looked at.
Treat It With Care in General
With proper maintenance, there is no reason why your car cannot make it to 150,000 or even 200,000 miles. A big part of reaching those milestones comes down to how well you drive. Newer cars might be able to accelerate awesomely and go over a ton of different terrain. For older cars, the same cannot be said. Take care of your car, so you continue getting years of use out of it.
For any vehicle to last, they need to be well-taken care of. Schedule checkups with a professional mechanic more frequently so that you always know how your automobile is holding up.
