Page 13 - AAA Every Day – AAA Hudson Valley – September/October 2021

High Mileage Car Tips
for Extending Vehicle Life
Just one more year. That’s what you have been telling yourself as you complete yet another repair on your aged car. But if you’ve been keeping up with your car’s maintenance schedule and responding quickly to each indicator of trouble, then there’s a good chance you’ll get your wish, as long as you’re following these five high mileage car tips.
1. Handle Repairs at Once – Putting off repairs means you might only exacerbate the problem. Keeping to
the maintenance schedule is one thing, but responding immediately to warning signs may spell the difference between having a car you can depend on or one that you’ll be sending to the salvage yard. For instance, a leaky water pump is more than an inconvenience. If left unattended, your engine may overheat, crack a head gasket or warp the cylinders. For an aged car, you’re looking at repairs that may exceed the vehicle’s worth.
2. Know the Quality of Your Parts – With an older car, you might think it wise to manage costs by using lower-quality parts. This is understandable as original equipment manufacturer parts may cost you more than aftermarket parts or the ones you acquire from the salvage yard. Whatever parts you choose, such as a water pump, radiator or head gasket, ensure that it is suitable for your car. Cutting costs is one thing, but cutting corners can prove disastrous.
3. Change Your Oil Change – When it comes to oil changes, always reference your owner’s manual for the proper change intervals. However, if your car has more than 75,000 miles on the odometer, then the engine’s seals are more prone to erode, leading to leaks. Older engines tend to burn oil more frequently and are prone to oil sludge. The best response here is to change your
Shutterstock: Jay Nothing
oil more often, such as every 3,000 miles, and to select a super high-mileage oil. Choose a synthetic oil and you can reduce sludge build-up. Or, if your car has had regular oil changes, a standard high-mileage oil with seal conditioners can control oil consumption and prevent leaks.
4. Tend to the Brakes – Bleed the brakes and if you notice that the fluid is dark and contains pieces of rust and rubber, then an overhaul is a priority. Replace the rubber brake lines and inspect the wheel bearings when removing the rotors or brake drums. Brake repairs are a manageable cost until they’re ignored.
5. Take Your Car to a Mechanic – So far, do-it-yourself items have been discussed, but there is a time and place to take your car to a mechanic. A second set of eyes, experienced ones at that, can identify problems you might miss. Furthermore, a mechanic who specializes in handling more complex jobs, such as suspension systems and engine overhauls, can identify problems before they spiral out of control. They also might help you make a decision you couldn’t bear to make on your own: like cutting your losses and sending your old friend to the junkyard.
When should you get rid of an aged car? Whenever the cost of repairs and time lost because of downtime exceeds your budget and patience. On the other hand, if your repairs are manageable and you’re timely with upkeep, you may find that a year from now you’ll be thinking of new ways to keep your car for just one more year.
Check out all the chemical and lubricant products available on NAPA Online or trust one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. For more information on high-mileage car tips, chat with an expert at your local NAPA Auto Parts store and check out more NAPA Know How at AAA.com/NAPA.
Matthew C. Keegan is a member of the Washington Automotive Press Association and is a contributor to various print and online media sources including NAPA Know How.
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