5 Simple Tips To Keep Your Car Running As Long As Possible

Having a car means getting to go where you want, when you want — no bus schedule required.

Even better, you can drive most cars for 200,000 miles. And it’s possible for some well-built and well-maintained vehicles to make it to an impressive 300,000 miles.

But to reach those milestones, routine maintenance is a must. With the prices of all cars — new and used — going up, it pays to give your existing vehicle a little TLC.

AARP Foundation has been helping people find affordable ways to secure the essentials for more than 60 years. We’re sharing five important car maintenance tips to extend the life of your vehicle.

Show your tires some love

With every mile you drive, your tires wear down. You can easily extend the life of your tires by rotating them every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. When you rotate tires regularly, they’ll wear more evenly and last longer.

When you have your tires rotated, they might also need to be balanced. Both the rotation and balancing help your car drive more efficiently and use less fuel. To save money on tire rotation services, look for a tire service provider that includes free balancing when rotating your tires.

If you notice your steering wheel trembling, it’s likely your front tires need balancing. If you feel trembling in your seat, it’s the back wheels that need attention.

You’ll also want to keep your tires properly inflated according to the automaker’s recommended PSI (pounds per square inch). If you’re tempted to keep driving when a tire light comes on, remember that low tire pressure affects your braking and makes your steering and handling less responsive — a definite safety issue. It also decreases your gas mileage.

Many tire service providers offer free tire pressure checks and air refills. Or you can purchase a tire pressure gauge to check and refill the air yourself at your local gas station.

Tip: Find your car’s recommended PSI in your vehicle owner’s manual or the tire specification decal on the driver-side door frame.

Change the oil on schedule

With oil changes costing $35 and up, it’s tempting to skip one when money is tight. But staying on top of oil changes lowers your risk of wearing out your engine, which costs a lot more to replace.

According to AAA, how often you change the oil will vary depending on your car’s age, type of oil, and driving conditions. Older calls typically need oil changes every 3,000 miles but newer vehicles can go 5,000 to 7,500 miles.

Tip: You cannot judge engine oil condition by color, so follow the factory maintenance schedule for oil changes.

Stay on top of fluids and filters

Similar to oil changes, replacing air filters and transmission fluid according to timelines recommended by your car manufacturer is crucial. Here’s why.

A clogged air filter shortens the life of your engine, so this is a simple maintenance task that is worth doing. And because transmission fluid lubricates all the moving parts in your car’s transmission system, replacing it when it’s dirty makes shifting gears smooth and can extend the life of your transmission.

Tip: Depending on where you live and how much you drive, filters and fluids may need to be replaced more often than the recommended mileage. Find a mechanic you trust to let you know when to change them.

Wash and wax frequently

Keeping your car’s body clean will help preserve the paint. Removing dirt and debris from your car stops it from eating through the clear-coat, oxidizing, and turning into rust. Some areas of the country are more prone to causing rust because of salt from the sea air or salt on the roads to melt snow in winter. Expect to wash your car every 2 to 3 weeks, and wax it a few times a year.

Tip: If washing the car yourself, opt to use mild soap designed for washing cars — not dish soap — and microfiber cloths to avoid scratching the paint.

Keep the battery clean

Invest in a wire brush to clean the white or bluish powder that forms on your car’s battery terminals — those little metal knobs on the top. Over time, corrosion can cause a crack or stop your battery from working — leaving you stranded. Car batteries cost between $60–$300, so spending $5 on a wire brush is money well spent.

Tip: Test your battery twice a year and inspect it for corrosion.

One final note. Even though keeping up with car maintenance is less expensive than paying for major repairs — or having to buy a new car — it can still add up. That’s where budgeting for these expenses can help you stay on track.