Keeping your car kicking? You’re not alone. The average vehicle on U.S. roads is now 12.5 years old.
Whether it’s financial reality or a fondness for your old friend that’s keeping you together, proper care can keep it going for many more miles. So here are 27 tips to keep your aging motor rolling down the road as sweetly as ever.
How to Keep Your Old Car Running Like New
#1. Skip the Short Jaunts.
Running your car on short trips can do more harm than good. You don’t let the engine properly reach temperature, which means more wear and tear. If you can make your errands during one longer trip, do it.
#2. Oil Changes Are Key.
Especially if you do a lot of short trips, changing your oil every 2,000-3,000 miles works wonders in many older vehicles.
There is regular oil, then there is synthetic oil, which provides better protection but has a higher price tag. In any case, check your owner’s manual for maintenance schedules.
#3. Gentle Pace, Better Grace.
Jerky accelerations and abrupt stops can put undue strain on your vehicle. How about adopting a calmer and serene approach to driving? Your vehicle will surely appreciate it. Lose the lead foot and learn how to coddle your ride.
#4. Keep an Eye on Warning Lights.
They aren’t there for decoration. If your engine oil, temperature, or brake light flicks on, get it checked, or you could damage your car.
#5. Lose the Junk in Your Trunk.
Carrying around luggage you don’t need puts a strain on your engine and other parts – keep that stuff out of the car, and it’ll appreciate you for a longer period of time!
#6. Don’t Skimp on Maintenance.
Do oil changes, change your filters, and otherwise keep up your maintenance – your car will love you for it!
#7. Top-Up Fluids.
Your ride gulps down more than just engine oil. The other fluids are: Transmission fluid, Brake fluid, Power-steering fluid, and Antifreeze. These should also be topped up regularly to keep your drive smooth and trouble-free.
And talking of topping off, get the windshield washer fluid topped up too, so you never find yourself in a situation where no washer fluid comes out.
If your car sounds weird or smells funny, do not ignore it. Your dash can now save you some bucks down the road.
#8. Trust in a Good Mechanic.
It’s worth your while to get to know a good honest mechanic. He will find out your car’s peculiarities and keep it in top condition.
Your best bet is an independent shop run by the owner himself and having a good reputation.
#9. Keep Your Mechanic in the Loop.
Make sure your mechanic knows your long-term plans for your car so they can tailor their maintenance advice accordingly.
For instance, if you plan to keep your aged car for several more years, certain seals, sensors, and engine and transmission mounts might need replacement.
#10. Clean the Undercarriage.
Road salt in the winter can cause rusting and corrosion. Wash your car several times in the colder months to help keep it rust-free.
This goes for anyone who frequently operates their vehicle off-road as well.
#11. Avoid Toasty Garages.
Storing a snow-covered car in a warm garage can make rusting occur faster. It’s better to find a spot in an unheated garage or carport for winter storage. Conversely, if you are parking outside, invest in a quality and well-fitted car cover.
Caution: make certain that the car is completely dry before covering, or else you run the risk of increasing the chances that it will rust.
#12. Refresh Transmission and Differential Fluids.
These fluids lose their effectiveness in time and can affect your car’s ability to run at peak level. Refer to your manual to know when the time comes to change them.
#13. Change the Coolant.
A coolant system flush saves time in the long run, avoiding problems caused by flakes of rust and scale that build up in the coolant system over the years, hindering its efficiency it.
It also reduces the risk of engine overheating by replacing the old coolant with fresh coolant for better heat transfer.
The entire cooling system, from water pump to hoses and radiators, is also made to last longer through less wear and tear.
And last but certainly not least, the proper pH balance of the new coolant minimizes corrosion of all metal components in contact with it.
#14. Look After Your Wheel Bearings.
Regularly checking the wheel bearings will help ensure smooth operation of the tires and a nice comfortable drive.
#15. Change the Brake Fluid.
Your brake fluid can “absorb moisture from the air,” possibly giving you problems when you hit the brakes. Regular changes should help to keep them up to sharpness.
#16. Check the tires.
Keeping the right air pressure in your tires is critical both for the efficiency of the vehicle and safety. And, of course, maintained properly, it helps you to bleed extra miles to the gallon and minimize the chances of blowouts.
So making a habit of checking the tires (a bare minimum once a month, and before any long trip) can pay off handsomely in tire wear, gas consumption and safety of operation.
#17. Smoother are the Miles.
Hard acceleration and “stopping on a dime” is not too good for your car. Make like the tortoise as much as possible.
#18. Keep It Clean.
Regular washing and waxing will help retain a pretty exterior, protect the paint, and guard against rust, too. And of course, a clean interior will have the same “pride of ownership” effects.
#19. Shield from Sun Damage.
Extended sun exposure can fade your car’s paint and damage its interior. Car covers or parking in the shade can solve these two problems. The only caveat here is to remember the previous point about covering the car only if it’s totally dry.
#20. Drive Your Car.
Make sure your car actually gets taken for a drive from time to time, and doesn’t sit like a hibernating bear in an underground garage.
Make sure you drive your car once every couple of weeks; that way the oil circulates through the whole engine rather than just sitting in one part of the system and rusting or damaging the component parts.
#21. Get the Wheel Alignment Checked.
Properly aligned wheels helps avoid premature tire wear and avoids undue strain on suspension components. A pulled steering make good reason to get your mechanic’s advice.
#22. Change the Timing Belt or Chain.
Follow your manufacturer’s instructions for replacing the timing belt or chain. These are vital components of car function.
#23. Use Floor Mats.
Cheap even for floor mats, they protect your floor from dirt and mud, and from being damaged by spillage. Good for helping you keep your car clean, and in turn good for resale.
#24. Replace Windshield Wipers.
The wiper blades are your best ally on a rainy or snowy day or when driving through a swarm of bugs.
Check your blades periodically and look for cracked or torn rubber. If you see fraying, hear squeaking whenever their blades are in use, or it’s been 12 months since you’ve replaced them, install new ones.
#25. Lubricate Hinges and Locks.
One of the easiest hacks is keeping your hinges and locks lubricated. For door hinges, clean the area with a rag and apply white lithium grease.
Work the grease into the hinge on both sides by moving it several times back and forth. Wipe away any excess so that it doesn’t accumulate dirt, which defeats the purpose!
Car door locks benefit from graphite lubricant. Graphite does not attract dust, as oils do. Squirt a small amount in your car locks and work it into the lock with your key.
#26. Clean Battery Terminals.
Over time, poor electrical contacts may develop at your battery terminals, leading to problems in starting and slow cranking.
Regularly cleaning your battery terminals and battery posts will help make sure your vehicle starts up and runs like it’s supposed to.
#27. Use a Battery Maintainer.
If you are going on a long vacation, storing your car away for the winter, or are just not going to be driving your car for a while, hook up a battery maintainer (or trickle charger), so that your battery won’t become fully discharged.
If you are putting a vehicle into storage, you’ll also want to add a fuel stabilizer to your gas tank, so the fuel in it won’t “go bad”. Doing these two things will make starting your car back up when it’s time to hit the road so much easier.
Car Care Hacks
Proper maintenance can be the difference between a great vehicle and a poor one. If your ride is well cared for, it’s more pleasant to use, it’s more capable, and it’s more dependable.
Put these 27 hacks to use, and you’ll be on the road for many years to come.