It used to be that if a car made it to 100,000 miles, it was a sign that the owner gave it special attention and care. Those days, though, seem to be long gone, and high-mileage vehicles have become the new norm. As a recent article in Time magazine points out, the average car on the road today is 11.5 years old meaning that with typical mileage estimates, the average car should have more than 122,000 miles on it.
There are several factors that go into keep a car on the road for such a long period of time. Of course, some luck plays into it when it comes to avoiding accidents that may debilitate your car, but part of it also comes down to old-fashioned TLC. If you take care of your car, you can get a long life out of it. To help you try and close in on 200,000 miles, here are some tips to keep in mind.
Once a month you’ll want to check the air pressure in the tires, ensuring the car has a smooth and even ride. This is one check that most people neglect, so take the time to check and your tires – plus your gas mileage and alignment – will thank you. Also rotate the tires so they wear evenly, allowing you to maximize the lifespan of your wheels.
You’ll want to change the oil and the filter routinely. Depending on the specifications for your vehicle, your mileage limits may be higher or lower, but typically at least every 7,500 miles. Check other vehicle components like coolant levels and wiper blades at the same time you freshen your oil to help keep everything running smoothly.
There are also a few major milestone marks to keep in mind. At 36,000 miles, the passenger compartment air filter or cabin filter should be replaced – see our recent blog for more about this oft-overlooked filter. That filter should also be changed again at 72,000 miles, at which time you’ll also need to install a new engine air filter. The 72,000 mile mark is also the time to check the evaporative control system of your engine that filters out pollutants that come from gasoline evaporating.
Of course, you also need routine maintenance and there are several components to make sure you get checked out at every service visit. Every time that you head to the shop, make sure to use recommend fluids for all vehicle lubricants, coolants and other fluids. Automakers have specific recommendations for engine fluids in your manual, so double check those are being used correctly. For example, one thing that many people don’t necessary check for is the quality of oil, and many more recent models require a semi-synthetic oil or better to keep components running properly. Failing to maintain your vehicle to the manufacturer’s recommendations could leave you looking for new vehicle recommendations instead!
At Builders Transmission, we can check your car from hood ornament to trunk latch at every service appointment. As professionals with more than 50 years proudly serving Broken Arrow and the greater Oklahoma region, we can help keep you and your vehicle on the road for many miles and years to come. Schedule your next service appointment today by calling us at 918-251-1792.