In today’s economy, it is no secret consumers are sticking with older cars on the road. In fact, roughly 68% of vehicles on the road have 75,000 miles or more on them. Unfortunately, many consumers ignore the special care high-mileage vehicles demand.
- Perhaps the most simplest, but most important thing you can do is get your oil changed frequently. On a car with over 100,000 miles on it, it is recommended every 3 months, or 3,000 miles.
- Check your tire pressure on a monthly basis, this is the easiest way to prevent flats, and only takes a minute.
- Pay attention to warning signs your car may be giving you. Are there fluids on the ground when you pull out of your driveway? Do your vents smell funny? Hear any strange noises? If so, take it into your mechanic for a checkup. Which brings us to our next point…
- Find a good mechanic and stick with them. Try to find one that is ASE-certified. Bouncing around mechanics increases the likelihood of you being overcharged. A repeat customer is much more likely to get “taken care of”.
- Take your car in for a tune-up annually. Tune ups are generally cheap (just over $100), and your mechanic will change any minor parts that need it. This includes spark plugs, spark plug wires, air filters, fuel injector checks, brake lines, belts and more.
- Prepare your used car for the seasons, especially in locations of drastic temperature changes. For example, in the hot summer you should run thicker oil than in the freezing winter. If snow is a regular occurrence, consider investing in snow tires in the winter. Not only does it give you better traction, but it also puts less stress on your engine, resulting in less wear and tear.
