What was once a daunting milestone for vehicle owners is now merely another number on the odometer. Thanks to improvements in the automotive and vehicle maintenance industries, cars and trucks have a much longer lifespan than before. Keeping up with routine maintenance and completing these general tasks are key to extending the life of your high mileage vehicle.
Belts
The belts in your vehicle are designed to withstand the hot engine compartment, but they won’t last forever. Check your belts for signs of cracking, missing ribbing, striping, or uneven wear—any of these signs indicate that it’s time to have them replaced.
Fluids
Fluids are essential to the wellbeing and functionality of your vehicle. Throughout time, dirt and debris can begin to clog your engine and its parts, leading to expensive repairs. Many fluids also lose their effectiveness over time, which is why changing fluids regularly will help keep your car in its best shape. For most, it’s recommended that the oil, transmission fluid, coolant, power steering fluid, and brake fluid all get replaced when necessary.
Tires and Brakes
Check your tire pressure regularly to ensure you’re maintaining fuel efficiency and preventing irregular wear and tear. It’s equally as important to inspect tread depth and check for signs of cracking or bulging as these may indicate it’s time to replace your tires. Rotations and alignments will prevent uneven wear and keep your tires performing at their best.
Brakes should be regularly maintained and inspected to prevent additional wear and unsafe driving situations. Check your brake pads to ensure there is plenty of material left to keep you stopping in the future. If you have disc brakes, check the rotors for any signs of uneven wear, pitting, or warping.
Timing Belt and Water Pump
Damage from a broken timing belt on interference engines is extremely costly to fix. As your car gets older, the timing belt is more likely to break. This is especially true if you frequently drive in very hot or cold climates, or areas where driving conditions are very harsh.
Replacing your timing belt tends to be more costly, but having it replaced could save you loads of time and money in the future.
Other Maintenance
Most auto manufacturers recommend replacing spark plugs, the fluid filter, air filter, internal air filter, and the PCV valve throughout your vehicle’s lifetime. Inspecting rubber hoses and lines is also particularly important to maintaining the quality of your vehicle.
Not all vehicles are made the same, so some points might not directly apply to your particular car or truck. Refer to your manual or consult with our professionals at AA Muffler and Brakes to ensure the correct maintenance is being done on your vehicle. If you have questions regarding 100,000 mile check-ups, contact us today. We’ll keep your vehicle operating in the best shape, regardless of its milage.