Maintaining Your Car After 100,000 Miles
When your car reaches 100,000 miles, there is no need to start looking for a new vehicle. Because of modern parts, materials, and automotive knowledge, you can keep your car running for years after this milestone. There are several ways to care for your vehicle and improve its life expectancy.
The Owner’s Manual is Your Friend
While this may seem like simplistic advice, the manual is an essential starting point for any type of maintenance. This becomes particularly important after 100,000 miles because there are more problems you can encounter if you are not careful. Manufacturers commonly include a schedule in the manual that details when you can expect certain parts to fail. This allows you to make necessary replacements before you have serious trouble. Water or timing belts are good examples of parts that it is important to consider replacing around 100,000 miles.
Keep an Eye on Your Fluids
As parts age, maintaining fluid freshness and fluid levels is one of the key aspects of maintaining your car. Over time, first, dust and other residues can cause friction between engine components. This can lead to a wide range of problems. However, frequent oil and fluid changes can slow down the rate of wear and tear on the internal components of the engine. Many experts recommend synthetic motor oil, and it is essential to stay consistent. Don’t mix synthetic and blended oils because neither oil will work as effectively. As your car ages, consider switching to premium fuels. Premium gas tends to get better mileage, and it also tends to place less strain on your engine.
Find a Shop that Takes Care of You
While there are lots of ways to treat your car well, there are still going to be times when you need to contact experts. Take the time to find a local repair shop that is a good fit. You can do your own research by reading reviews on the internet or asking your friends and neighbors for recommendations. Going to a licensed dealer for your brand of car can be a safe option because the technicians are trained on the specific needs of your car model. Dealerships shops can be fairly expensive, however. A local repair shop with knowledgeable technicians might charge nearly half as much as a dealership. A local option can also be a good choice if the nearest dealership is further away.
Not All Miles are Equal
A reality of maintaining your car as it nears and passes 100,000 miles is that different types of driving put a different amount of strain on the vehicle. As a general rule, city driving tends to be much harder on cars as it involves frequent stopping, accelerating, turning, and idling. City driving is particularly hard on brakes and exhaust systems. If you have more than one car, it might be helpful to use the newer, lower mileage vehicle for more driving around town and save your higher-mileage car for less strenuous situations. The climate where you drive can also affect your car’s maintenance needs. If your car experiences extremes of temperature or humidity, it might be worth taking them to the shop a bit more frequently and paying extra close attention to the relevant fluids.
Owning a car well after 100,000 miles is a great way to get more value for your money and enjoyment from your vehicle. In addition to being economically sound, you can derive great satisfaction from caring well for your vehicle. By investing the time, money and attention necessary, you can keep your car running smoothly for tens of thousands of miles.
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