Your body needs proper nutrition, exercise, sleep, and rest so you can maintain a healthy spirit and state of mind and be able to do everyday physical activities with ease. Similar to the body, your vehicle needs a bit of assistance and regular maintenance so it can perform well for a long time without trouble.
We understand how many might think of regular vehicle maintenance as an unnecessary expense and avoid it whenever that time of the year comes. Yet, what many fail to understand is how regular maintenance keeps you from spending too much money at once if the car’s engine fails and you have to replace it. Those expenses are huge and could be prevented if we take the necessary measures ahead of time. So, in the text below, we’ll discuss some proper and useful tips on how to make sure your car makes it to 500,000 miles with ease.
Follow the Manufacturer’s Maintenance Schedule
First on the list is to do any maintenance regularly. Regularly does not mean until you hear a rumbling in the back of the car while driving; it means keeping everything in check according to the maintenance schedule proposed by the manufacturer. While a car is being assembled in the factory, every part goes through rigid tests to test its durability and how long it can last until it breaks. From the tires to the brakes and the engine itself, the manufacturer always proposes maintenance; sometimes the interval between changes is defined by miles, and sometimes by time. For example, the timing belt should be changed after 100,000 miles. This applies to the filters, oil, tires, and everything else. If you’re buying a used car, make sure the previous owner has kept everything running like clockwork and taken note of every little repair they have done.
Keep the Tires Round
The tires of the car are beaten the most, they wear and tear, and they spend thousands of miles rolling and rolling. Interestingly enough, they’re one of the most robust parts of the vehicles, you’ll sometimes see rust catching before the tires wear off completely. Quite impressive if you ask us, but they do need a bit of help so they can keep rolling for many miles to come. Real champions make sure their tires are always kept in place. Everything it takes is to keep the tire pressure on point; it helps fuel efficiency, keeps the tires healthy and in shape, and doesn’t cost anything. Plus, it reduces the chances of a tire blowout and it only takes a few moments to check the pressure and put some air into those old tires.
One more thing, every 6000 to 8000 miles, preferably, you’ll want those tires to be properly aligned and rotated. Check with your local mechanic to see if everything is fine and if the tires are perfectly in line.
Regular Oil Changes
The oil in your car is the blood pumping through its veins; it’s the life source of the vehicle, keeping everything running smoothly. The engine and all its components couldn’t stand a chance against nature’s factors and thousands of miles if not for the oil in it. Engine oil lubricates the moving parts, reducing friction and wear. But, over time, all this friction and heat breaks down the oil; it loses its smoothness, becomes more and more like water, and keeps picking up microscopic metal parts and dust while going through a dozen components of the engine. So, after a few thousand miles, it’s time for a change. We strongly advise you to look for a mechanic for a professional engine oil change, as doing it on your own puts the vehicle at a certain risk. It’s simple and easy but it’s not only the oil that needs to change. It’s usually the filters as well, and depending on the car you’re driving, these parts might be a bit more complicated to replace and change. So, this part should be left to the professionals who have the necessary tools and experience. How often should you change it? The gold standard is every 3000 to 5000 miles, and factors such as the engine type and oil type you use play a vital role. The higher the viscosity of the oil the rarer the oil change needs to be! Anyway, everything you need to know is probably already said in that manufacturer’s manual.
Check and Replace Fluids Regularly
Oil is not the only fluid keeping the vehicle running; other fluids also make sure that certain parts of the car are working like clockwork. You have brake fluid, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and more. Their properties depend on their purpose and there is a huge difference between every single one of them. Then again, you have wiper fluid and coolant (or antifreeze), which make sure the whole car doesn’t overheat or catch a cold when the temperatures drop.
Keep the Battery in Good Condition
Most of the car’s parts run on electricity, and the life support of the car is the battery, which provides the electricity needed. Now, the battery’s life span depends on its manufacture, how much it’s been used, and how much electricity it needs to provide. Usual warranties have you covered for at least 3 to 5 years, but when the time comes, we strongly advise getting a new battery, as recharging it might not be the ideal solution; it’s only temporary and can affect the car’s whole electrical installation.
Don’t Ignore the Lights on the Dashboard
Sometimes a small light on the dashboard might just be a little malfunction and doesn’t mean anything serious. But if you ignore it for long enough, this little issue can turn into a huge expense that could have been avoided otherwise. So, instead, make sure to go to your mechanic as soon as any light turns on. Not every warning sign is important; sometimes it indicates just a lightbulb that needs replacing, and other times it tells you the oils need replacement. Whatever it is, don’t wait too long!
As we said at the beginning, the car needs proper maintenance so it can run smoothly for a long period without any disturbance. If you keep everything in check, you can reduce the risk of major repairs ever happening.
