5 Smart Maintenance Moves To Make After Your Automobile Hits 100K Miles

So, you have finally reached six figures. It took some time — probably years — to get up to now, however it’s still quite the accomplishment. You need to be proud. Unfortunately, we’re not talking about your salary, but as a substitute the odometer in your automobile. You have hit the 100,000-mile mark, and your automobile continues to be faithfully chugging along. That is great, but to maintain the nice times rolling, it is time to maintain some maintenance items and do some checks.

You have been doing oil changes and tune-ups all along, however the regularity of those things now becomes more essential. Meaning that is an excellent time for a radical tune-up, changing the filters and spark plugs, and possibly the spark plug cables. Fluids should be modified as well. That features transmission and brake fluids, in addition to coolant. Take into consideration changing the fuel filter and cabin filter, as well. Any belts and hoses that have not been modified yet are likely due — they might have turn out to be worn, perhaps even brittle or cracked. Now can also be the time to envision your steering components, together with underbody parts like shocks, struts, brakes, and wheel alignment.

Keeping your automobile running at this point is not going to take a monumental amount of effort. Cars nowadays often have years of life left in them after hitting 100,000 miles. In reality, some cars and trucks are only getting began at that time. But it should steadily take somewhat more time and expense to maintain it going, and somewhat maintenance will go a good distance. Fortunately, in the event you’re just somewhat handy with a wrench, you may maintain a variety of things yourself.

The most effective thing you may do to maintain your vehicle in good condition is to do what it is best to have been doing all along — that’s, maintaining with routine maintenance. We all know you have been responsible and that you have kept up with oil changes and tune-ups. But after the 100,000-mile mark, it becomes much more essential. It’s kind of like how senior residents appear to schedule their lives around doctor’s appointments. After a certain age, that sort of maintenance is not optional anymore. Chances are you’ll not see the fast lube guy as often as your elderly aunt sees her joint specialist, but you will note him regularly.

Oil changes are especially vital at this stage. Do you have to switch to the dearer high-mileage motor oil at this point? The service center managers and oil manufacturers will inform you that it is best to (we all know, shocking). But not all experts agree. Cenex says it is not vital unless you notice a leak or your engine is rattling. Whichever style of oil you select, just be certain to vary it as often as your owner’s manual says to.

Spark plugs ought to be modified at this milestone, as well. Some spark plugs are literally made to last 100,000 miles, which suggests you might not have modified them yet. But you will need to do it now to forestall misfires and to enhance your fuel efficiency. It will be smart to vary the air filter, too, though you have probably done this just a few times since they do not last 100,000 miles.

Everyone thinks about changing their oil, but we rarely take into consideration our transmission fluid until there is a problem. Did that transmission fluid breaks down over time? Heat and friction do their job on transmission fluid until it gets to the purpose where it will probably’t do its job as effectively anymore and wishes to get replaced. Nonetheless, Cars.com says you don’t need to flush your transmission fluid when your automobile has this many miles on it since flushing could dislodge contaminants that might find yourself clogging the system further down. It is best to only drain and refill the transmission fluid at this point.

Did that your brake fluid also needs to get replaced sooner or later? Over time, brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air, even in a closed system. That moisture, together with debris that steadily accumulates within the system, interferes with proper function of your brakes, creating that “soft pedal” feeling. A full brake fluid flush will maintain all of that.

After all, you don’t need to forget your coolant, even whether it is full. Coolant wears out eventually, becoming less in a position to prevent overheating. You will need to guard those head gaskets, so it is advisable to get your coolant system flushed as well. In reality, depending on the coolant, it’s sometimes beneficial to get it modified every 30,000 miles. You may also consider replacing other fluids, in the event you have not already, like the ability steering fluid and the differential oil if you will have a rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive vehicle. Remember, nearly every fluid in your automobile will get dirty, wear out, and degrade. Replacing those fluids can go a good distance toward extending your automobile’s lifespan.

In case your automobile has a timing belt, now’s the time to vary it. A broken timing belt may cause a bent valve or piston, and people are the last stuff you want at 100,000 miles. Depending on the make of your automobile, it doesn’t take much to mechanically total an engine when it has that many miles on it. Should you’re replacing the timing belt yourself, now could be an excellent time to interchange the water pump, in the event you have not had to do this already. It will exit sooner or later. When it does, you are just going to need to take the timing belt off again anyway to get to it.

Most gas-driven cars nowadays are equipped with a serpentine or drive belt, which works hard to drive the alternator, A/C compressor, and power steering pump. It should generally get replaced every 60,000 miles or so. Meaning in the event you have not replaced it already, it’s overdue. When it fails, it won’t cause the sort of catastrophic damage that a broken timing belt will. But it should cause a breakdown, which generally is a major inconvenience, depending on when and where it happens. Might as well get in front of that and just install a brand new one before the old one breaks.

This can also be an excellent time to interchange your hoses, in the event you have not already — they get dry, brittle, and cracked over time. A coolant hose that springs a leak may cause overheating and lack of antifreeze. You will need to envision other hoses, as well, like the ability steering hose and particularly fuel hoses and features, which might begin to leak gas, possibly leading to a hearth. Make sure that to tighten any hose clamps whilst you’re at it.

At 100,000 miles, your shocks and struts are due for an inspection, and perhaps alternative. Ensure they are not leaking, which is a sure sign they should be replaced. Concentrate to how the automobile handles, as well. Is there a variety of vibration or bouncing? Does it take longer to come back to a stop? It could possibly be your suspension.

Your steering components ought to be inspected presently, too. Ball joints, tie rod ends, and suspension bearings should all be checked out. Worn ball joints and tie rods could make it hard to steer accurately and cause misalignment, which, in turn, may cause uneven wear in your tires. All of that will be hazardous, which shows why it is important to examine these parts.

Because you’re inspecting your suspension anyway, it is smart to examine the tires. As we said, uneven tire wear generally is a sign of suspension issues. Although you will have likely replaced your original tires by now, inspect the condition of your current tires to be certain they’re still roadworthy. It is also an excellent time to envision your wheel alignment. You’d have gotten your wheels aligned if you last replaced your tires, but that might have been knocked misplaced within the meantime by a pothole or nasty bump within the road.

Whilst you’re under there, you would possibly as well check your brake pads. This provides you a possibility to see in the event that they’ve worn thin before you hear the squeal or they begin impacting your braking distance. Rotors will be worn thin, get rusted, or warp, so make sure to inspect them.

On the 100,000-mile mark, it’s an excellent time to offer the old ride an excellent wash and wax. Now, you may be pondering that we’re recommending washing and waxing your automobile as our last high-mileage maintenance tip because we have run out of ideas for this text. To start with, how dare you. Secondly, this suggestion is not about making your automobile pretty. It’s about rust and the resale value of your automobile.

At this point in your automobile’s life, it’s especially essential to try to forestall rust. Dirt, mud, and road salt are notorious for causing rust. Keeping your automobile’s exterior clean and waxed may help prevent rust from forming. You have also gotten closer to the day when you’ll need to take into consideration selling your automobile and moving on to the following one. Keeping the rust off will go a good distance towards preserving the resale value of your vehicle. Repeatedly washing your vehicle is the perfect method to stay on top of this.

Are all of those suggestions really vital? You have little doubt heard your friend speak about their cousin’s boyfriend who drove their automobile for 400,000 miles and all he did to it was change the oil every 3,000 miles. We have all heard about that guy. We’re not saying your automobile won’t last for much longer in the event you don’t follow these suggestions, but they provides you with the perfect likelihood of keeping your automobile on the road for one more 100,000 miles.