In the past, a car running over 150,000 miles was a rarity, but in today’s time, it has the potential to live way past that number. Ultimately, what prolongs a car’s lifespan and mileage is the owner’s efforts to stay consistent with routine maintenances and keep a watchful eye on how their vehicle is running at all times.
Follow the tips below to keep your car running past 150,000 miles and beyond:
Never neglect the routine maintenance schedule according to your driver’s manual
There’s never a good excuse when it comes to skipping out on routine maintenances! Your car’s lifespan, quality, and performance require consistent maintenance, otherwise, it wears down faster in the long run. For example, neglecting oil changes over time makes the engine vulnerable to friction and overheating which, consequently, will end up permanently damaging it.
While on the note of routine maintenance, clean your car regularly as well. Aside from looking aesthetically-pleasing and brand new, routinely cleaning a vehicle helps preserve its paint job and wards off rust. Interior-wise, vacuuming out the dirt and sand in seats prevents premature tear.
Be mindful of the car model you buy
Take the time to research and choose a vehicle that best suits your needs and budget, but has a reliable reputation amongst consumers. Moreover, some car models are built to perform more efficiently than others and have higher ratings of safety as well. If you need to buy a used car, watch out for any discrepancies in quality or mismatching parts. Furthermore, be on the lookout for any signs of discoloration in the interior and on the hood, dents, and corrosion. To ensure that every nook and cranny of the used car has been checked, you can take it in for a diagnostic inspection at the auto-shop.
Invest in quality replacement parts and fuel
At the time of purchase, opting for the more expensive option seems less likely to happen, but quality replacements and fuel are things you never want to skimp out on. Buying off-brand or no-name brands may actually cost you more in the long-run since they are prone to breaking more easily and are lower in quality, which can force you to pay more than what a high-quality replacement part would have costed more in the first place! An example of choosing quality over price is the case of a car requiring premium gas. If you put regular gas grade into the vehicle, you actually diminish its performance capabilities and fuel economy.
Take your climate into consideration
Make it a daily habit to check your car for any unusual signs or activity, such as leaks in the coolant system or small cracks in the belts. Weather is a huge contributing factor as to why a car cannot surpass 150,000 miles. For example, cold air decreases tire pressure so tire maintenance may require more of your attention each month; heat, on the other hand, aggravates a battery and causes unnecessary vibrations in it. Unmistakably, you must keep the battery securely in place and park your car in cool places as often as possible.
Every vehicle owner wants to keep their car performing at its best and have it surpass the 150,000-mile mark. But in order do that, we must stay consistent with our effort to commit to routine maintenance, daily check-ups, and good habits such as cleaning the car weekly, that can make it last way beyond our expectations and enable us to completely enjoy cruising on the open road.
