Everyone is paying more for gas these days. It can add up to several hundred dollars per month for some families. That has to come from somewhere in the budget. People all over America are putting off purchasing a new car. They intend to keep their old vehicle for another year or two.
Knowing what to do for a vehicle with a higher mileage can be difficult because many owners’ manuals do not publish service intervals after 60,000 miles. It simply means that you must improve your record-keeping and preventive maintenance planning.
You can begin by determining that services with a recommended interval should still be performed on that interval even after you’ve completed the tables in your service manual. A service, for example, might be recommended every 15,000 miles. Just keep doing it every 15,000 miles for the rest of your car’s life.
Higher mileage engines are now subjected to greater strain. According to some experts, the severe service schedule is preferable and routine service should be performed at shorter intervals. Consult your owner’s manual or a HEART Auto Care service advisor to see if the severe service schedule is appropriate for your vehicle.
Maintaining your full-service oil change schedule is also important for a couple of reasons. For starters, older engines have had more time to accumulate oil sludge. Skipping an oil change now and then can exacerbate the problem for your SUV.
The second advantage is that your other fluids are checked and topped off on a regular basis. Even though older seals and gaskets leak more than when they were new, power steering fluid, brake fluid, coolant, and transmission fluid can be kept at optimal levels.
When it comes to older seals and gaskets, they begin to dry out and become brittle. You could use high mileage formulation oil and fluids. Special additives are used in these products to condition seals and gaskets and keep them from leaking.
The high mileage formulations are more expensive than standard products, but they are well worth it in terms of avoiding major repair bills down the road.
Repairs and replacements are required for older vehicles that are not required for newer vehicles. Timing belts, radiator hoses, suspension work, anti-lock brakes, air bags, water pumps, alternators, and batteries are examples of such components. That may appear to be a lot of work, but it works out to be less expensive than new car payments.
A couple of relationships will become very important with a high-mileage vehicle. The first appointment is with your HEART Auto Care service advisor. You need someone you can rely on to look after your car and be considerate of your needs. Inquire for assistance in developing a plan to keep your vehicle roadworthy that fits your budget and driving conditions.
The following connection is with your vehicle. We’re not talking about naming or tucking your car away at night. We simply mean that you should pay attention and get to know your vehicle. Take note of any unusual sounds, smells, vibrations, and so on. Then you can explain the changes to your HEART Auto Care service advisor and avoid problems. We can’t control the price of gas, but we can keep Old Faithful running safely and economically.
