Maintaining Your High Mileage Vehicle

Anyone can get a car to the 50,000 mile plateau. It takes a special individual to go to 100,000 miles and beyond. Maintaining your high-mileage vehicle takes dedication, but by following a simple maintenance plan you can get the most out of your vehicle. In the end, maintaining your high-mileage vehicle is a smart decision that can keep money in your pocket and one you can feel proud of.
When it comes to a high mileage vehicle, the most important maintenance task is to stay on top of your oil changes. You will want to change your engine oil a little more frequently to prevent harmful engine sludge and engine component wear and tear. For these changes be sure to use a high quality synthetic oil.

Ask your mechanic to use a quality high-mileage synthetic motor oil. The synthetic oil will coat and lubricate all of your vital engine parts more effectively than conventional oil.
Keeping fresh oil in your car will ensure that vital engine components are well lubricated and protected against friction. The synthetic oil will cost you a little more, but it will provide greater protection against engine wear and extend the life of your vehicle.

The benefits of using synthetic oil are immense and will go a long way in the preventative maintenance of your vehicle.
After the 100,000 mile marker things can start to break down quickly. Parts made of rubber and vinyl such as belts and hoses can begin to dry out and crack. Inspecting these parts on a regular basis will let you know what needs to be replaced before it fails.

Once a year, you should have the engine coolant flushed and replaced as well as having the brake system bled. Doing so will prevent corrosion and deposit build-up in the lines. Corrosion is the enemy of the high-mileage vehicle.

Another crucial and sometimes overlooked simple maintenance task is keeping the exterior of your car clean. Removing dirt, road debris, sand, and salt from your car will extend the paint and clear-coat of your car keeping it pristine and looking just like the day it drove off the lot. Also, wash the underside of your vehicle to remove dirt, dust and other foreign debris.
In the summer heat, try to park your car in the shade whenever possible to protect the paint as well the interior and dash from heat damage.

Work with your mechanic to create your maintenance schedule and talk over a timeline for bigger maintenance items like lubricating the powertrain, removing and repacking any grease fittings at regular intervals, and inspecting wheel bearings. Creating this maintenance schedule will increase the life of your vehicle and keep your vehicle on the road longer.

Most of these tasks revolve around keeping your engine well lubricated, your vehicle systems clean, and inspection of vehicle systems. As you can see, if you are vigilant and stay on top of the regular vehicle maintenance, your vehicle will continue to run like a top for another 100,000 miles.