Special Care Must Be Given To Older Cars

By Jennifer Bowers


Even if your old car's odometer is over 100,000 you may not be thinking about buying a new car, despite your mortgage eating up your income and the fact that your 401k has tanked.

Keeping your old can well looked after and on the road is a better option than buying a new one, of course there are perks in new cars with them being more fuel efficient but the car you already have is paid off completely.

While cars several decades ago weren't expected to survive the 100,000-mile mark, those built more recently will last longer, as long as you perform proper maintenance. Vehicle and oil commercials may help reassure you when they talk about how long their car or truck has lasted, or the special benefits of a lubricant to an engine that has seen a lot of miles.

High mileage is a relative term that applies to not only the number on the odometer. 75,000 mile vehicles are most likely the ones you will be seeing when in fact the ones that qualify are the 50,000 mile vehicles. The vehicle is no longer running as it was when it was a new vehicle at this point.

As the miles on a car increase the performance decreases they both go hand in hand. The wearing down of the components in the main engine as well as the hoses and belts continue to happen. By caring for these parts that support the car it is the easiest way of looking after your car. Make sure belts and hoses are replaced when needed to help avoid loss of lubricants or overheating. Replacing these cheaper parts will prevent larger components from breaking down and needing to be replaced.

It is essential to maintain and old car. Absolutely everything from the air and oil filters to the hoses, belts and fluids must be changed to keep the car running well.

Keep an eye on oil levels and change the oil regularly. As vehicles age, many develop small leaks that cause them to burn a little oil and the loss of that fluid can have a severe impact on your engine.

Don't wait for the oil light to come on, but get in the habit of looking at the dipstick every week. Stick to a regular oil change schedule and, if you have a trusted mechanic, which you probably do with an older car, then follow his advice if he suggests more frequent oil changes or a shift to an oil for high mileage vehicles. Get your transmission fluid and oil changed as needed as well as your air filter.

Pay attention to your tires in their wear pattern and air pressure. Vehicles tend to run better when the tires are at the correct pressure. Keep proper alignment to preserve tires and your car's performance.

Also keep an eye and ear out to listen and see how your car feels and sounds. You have had it for a while so any noises will be familiar to you. Those will change as it ages, but if you notice a sudden or significant difference, get to your mechanic as soon as possible. Something small can quickly become a large problem if left unattended.




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