You want to keep your car on the road for as long as possible, regardless of whether it is brand-new and straight off the lot or you are giving it to an auto recycler. What’s the key to maintaining your vehicle’s license? It really isn’t a secret at all: keeping your car in good working order is essential to its longevity!
Certain parts will eventually lose their functionality and fall into disrepair due to normal wear and tear. You might be able to save expensive repairs and enhance your car’s performance by keeping it maintained.
You may be able to prolong the life of your car by taking good care of it with routine maintenance, high-quality fuel, and safe driving practices. What is the appropriate schedule for your car’s maintenance? From 3,000 miles to 100,000 miles and beyond, refer to our maintenance guide.
Oil Change at 3,000 to 5,000 Miles of Maintenance
You should plan on changing your car’s oil every three to six months, or every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, depending on the kind of oil it uses. Regular oil changes safeguard and maintain the smooth operation of your engine. It also serves as a cleanser, helps keep the engine cool, and keeps parts from rubbing against one another.
Maintenance at 6,000 Miles: Alignment
A proper alignment ensures that all of your tires are facing the same way and that the suspension parts are wearing uniformly and smoothly. Over time, there are several factors that can lead to a car becoming out of alignment. Every other time you change your oil, you should check and adjust your alignment. Additionally, alignments should be done when you install new tires, when your car pulls to one side, or after you collide with a curb.
Factory Maintenance Scheduled at 30,000 Miles
Scheduled factory maintenance services, also known as “30K/60K/90K” maintenance, ought to be carried out in conjunction with your 30,000, 60,000, and 90,000-mile maintenance services. These services might differ from one car to the next, but they will probably all consist of:
An examination of the oil level and, if required, a replacement
Replacement of the cabin air filter
Examination and balancing of tires
Inspecting and/or replacing spark plugs
Finishing off All fluids, such as coolant, brake, wiper, transmission, and, if necessary, power steering fluid.
Visual examination of other crucial parts, such as the timing belt, which might need to be changed before the vehicle reaches 100,000 miles.
Replacement of the Shock and Strut at 50,000 Miles
To release the energy generated when driving over bumps and other irregularities in the road, shocks absorb and oscillate. After 50,000 miles, a car has probably oscillated more than 88 million times. Struts and shocks not only offer a more comfortable ride, but they also enhance cornering, which increases driver control and shortens stopping distance.
60,000 Mile Maintenance: Undercarriage of a pickup truck: Belts, Hoses, and Tires
In the cooling, charging, and air conditioning systems of your car, belts and hoses play crucial roles. Over time, belts and hoses are susceptible to cracking or leaking due to continuous exposure to heat, vibrations, and chemicals. Hoses cannot be visually inspected to detect flaws, but engine, drive, serpentine, and timing belts can all be seen. Every four years or 60,000 miles, hoses should be replaced because they deteriorate from the inside out.
It becomes harder for your tires to grip the road properly when braking, especially in wet conditions, when the tread wears down. A lot of drivers don’t know that tires have an expiration date. Tires older than six years may experience dry and cracked rubber, creating dangerous driving conditions. By finding the Tire Identification Number stamped on the sidewall of your tires, you can determine how old they are.
Maintenance for 100,000 Miles: Spark Plugs and Fluid Replacements
Spark plugs are essential to the engine’s ability to produce energy. A vehicle may run rough, have trouble starting, or illuminate the check engine light if its spark plugs fail. Titanium spark plugs are used in many modern cars and can last up to 90,000 miles. Replacement of copper spark plugs will be necessary more frequently.
At each oil change after your car reaches 100,000 miles, think about moving to a high-mileage oil. High-mileage oils come with additives like detergents, conditioners, and antioxidants that can help stop leaks by restoring seals, stopping seepage, lessening wear on moving parts, and clearing out any gunk inside the engine. In a similar vein, changing to a high-mileage coolant will shield your engine from freezing in the winter and overheating in the summer. High-mileage coolants have lubricants to shield engine seals and gaskets from corrosion as well as additives to stop it.
Heath’s Auto Service In Flagstaff, AZ
At Heath’s Auto Service, our expertise isn’t limited by make or model — we handle them all. Whether you drive a vintage classic or the latest high-tech marvel, our team is adept at providing top-tier auto repair services tailored to your vehicle’s unique needs. From routine maintenance to intricate repairs, we’ve got you covered. Request an appointment with our experienced team right here!
