Today’s cars are spending over a decade on the road, and it’s normal for a car to operate well beyond 100,000 miles. However, modern vehicles are often a significant investment for many people. Thus, keeping your vehicle running well is more important than ever. If you’re hoping to extend the life of your vehicle, try these tips to get another 100,000 miles of use.
Adapt to the Age of Your Vehicle
When we’re young, we are often careless with our bodies. We don’t always take special care of our health because we feel okay after. But as we grow older, we begin to feel more during strenuous activity and discover we may not move as quickly. In fact, as cars age, something similar happens. Even mild wear and tear adds up over time, so it might be helpful to take things a bit more slowly.
Maintenance is Critical
Take a look at your maintenance records, even if your car is running well. If you haven’t been regularly addressing maintenance issues before, you need to catch up. Have a service department inspect your vehicle and take the opportunity to get a tune-up. In older cars, some particular issues often come up, including:
- The timing belt: While the timing belt can be an expensive piece to replace, it is even more costly to fix if it fails. If you have not yet replaced your timing belt, it’s a good idea to do this by the time you reach 100,000 miles.
- The shocks and struts: If your car seems bouncier or noisier, it’s likely because the shocks and struts are wearing out. Although worn shocks and struts won’t prevent you from starting your car, they can make stopping it quickly more dangerous.
- Your engine oil: As the car ages, switching from a conventional to a high mileage oil is important. Making the switch helps protect the moving parts in your engine and keep the seals intact.
- The belts and hoses: Eventually, hoses and belts deteriorate. No one can perfectly predict when they’ll fail. However, manufacturers have a good idea of when these parts will no longer perform optimally. Replacing these key parts will keep you safer on the road.
- Your exhaust system: No matter how carefully you drive or what you put into your car, eventually, buildup will happen on these parts. When this buildup occurs, the engine must work harder to perform.
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Go to a Trusted Maintenance Service Provider
You don’t have to wait for the “Check Engine” light to come on. Bring your vehicle to a trusted service department. At James Corlew Chevrolet in Clarksville, Tennessee, GM-certified technicians can carefully examine your vehicle and perform all recommended services to keep you in great shape for many miles to come. Make an appointment and get excellent service and genuine GM parts at competitive prices.
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