5 Crucial Scheduled Maintenance Items Most People Skip

Every car owner should know the basic maintenance routine of a car. For those who don’t, lets break it down: Change the oil every 3000 miles, rotate the tires every 10,000 to 15,000 miles, and take it in to a certified mechanic for any warning lights or strange sounds.

If you want your car to live an average life expectancy, you can get by with doing just the bare minimum. But what if you could do more? The Guinness World Record for the car with the most miles belongs to that of Irv Gordon, whose 1966 Volvo has more than three million miles racked up and is still running. So what’s his secret? Regular maintenance on everything.

Air Filters

As the name would suggest, air filters regulate the airflow to your car’s engine. Just like with people, if the airway is blocked or obstructed, it cuts off oxygen and reduces performance. While probably more dangerous in humans, a dirty air filter can cause your engine to overheat resulting in hundreds of dollars of damage. It’s worth it when you realize the average air filter will only run you $35.

Brake Pads

Just like shoes for a person, brake pads and shoes wear out and need replacing. Instead of waiting for a grinding, squeaking sound, you should check them annually for wear and tear. Experts estimate that they should be replaced about every 20,000 – 30,000 miles.

Tires

As stated before, tires need rotating on a regular basis. But what most people forget or ignore is checking the alignment and air pressures in the tire. An over or under inflated tire can result in poor performance, negative fuel efficiency and present a safety hazard. Air pressure should be checked with every rotation, and alignment checked annually along with suspension and shock inspection.

Fluids

Believe it or not, gas and oil aren’t the only two fluids that go into a car. Things like transmission fluid, coolant, and windshield washer are just a few examples of the different fluids that go into your car. It’s important to check and top off these fluids with every oil change. Transmission fluids need flushing out and replaced at about 50,000 miles.

Belts

Newer model cars will have a serpentine belt that runs everything from the AC and steering to the alternator and other accessories. It’s important to know which belts your car has and make sure they get checked or replaced on an annual basis. Older cars may have a lot of belts that need constant replacement and that can add up. Because older cars will need more maintenance, finding one on a budget from true car may cost less than constantly fixing up an older clunker.

While you may never get to more than 3 million miles on your car, with regular maintenance it’s more than possible to double the life of your car. And not only will it save you money, but it’ll bring you peace of mind knowing your car will always perform like it’s fresh off the lot.