As much as some people would love to get a shiny new car whenever their old vehicles are starting to break down, the reality is that people need to keep their cars running for as long as possible. Cars are expensive – even “cheap” used cars – so it makes good financial sense to keep a car on the road until it reaches the 200,000 mile mark and beyond.
Fortunately, nowadays this is entirely possible and even likely. IHS Automotive reports that the average age for vehicles in the United States is 11.4 years. People can and do make their cars last for a long time, and here are just some ways they go about it.
Scheduled Routine Maintenance
The best way to keep a car running past its 200,000-mile mark is with scheduled routine maintenance. Different vehicles will have different requirements when it comes to routine maintenance, therefore it will be up to you to read your vehicle’s manual and come up with a regular maintenance schedule based on its needs. Stick with your scheduled maintenance as closely as possible, preferably by making appointments with a trusted car repair shop near you.
Find a Good and Trustworthy Mechanic
The old cliché of mechanics who cheat customer out of their money with unnecessary repairs, unfortunately, has some truth to it. Therefore, you should carefully choose a car repair shop. Make sure that the shop you choose can be trusted to do quality work at reasonable prices. The last thing you want is to bring your well-maintained vehicle into a shop for regular maintenance and service only to be told you will need to break the bank for repairs that don’t need to be made. Ask friends, family and people you know for mechanic recommendations, read reviews online, and don’t be afraid to ask tough questions of a mechanic to make sure they’re on the level.
Use Quality Parts
You may think you’re being smart when you buy cheaper parts for your vehicle to save money, but you’re really aren’t doing yourself or your car any favors. Cheap parts can break down much more easily, cost you money in the long run, and ultimately damage your vehicle. Do some research to find out what the best parts are for your vehicle, and try to use them as often as possible. If you can, try to find parts that were designed for the make and model of your car.
Use Your Senses
As a rule, when something looks, sounds or smells “off” with your car, there’s probably something wrong with it. You may be able to go for a long time without fixing the problem, but you will have to make some repairs sooner or later. Make sure it’s sooner if you really want to avoid a costly repair bill or irreparable damage to your vehicle.
Take It Easy
Finally, remember that much of the damage that you do to any vehicle will be the result of normal wear and tear. You don’t want to push your car any further than you need to. Obey the speed limit, give yourself plenty of time to brake, and just try to avoid being too reckless when you drive anywhere. Your car will last for years as long as you’re careful.
