Posted on April 27, 2023 by Rick Griffith

Over the years, auto manufacturers have made significant changes to make care more safe and reliable. Until recently, car owners celebrated seeing the odometer rollover 100,000 miles on their cars. Nowadays, car owners have more to celebrate since cars can last up to 12 years or more and roll over 200,000 miles.

Preventative maintenance is vital in preserving your vehicle and its engine, which will help maximize a vehicle’s lifespan. So, if you want to extend the longevity of your car, keep up with routine maintenance to reap the rewards long after it gets paid off.

In today’s blog, we’ll discuss how you can reach those milestones through regular maintenance on your vehicle and the benefits you gain as an owner.

How to Keep A Car Running After Paying It Off

Paying off a car loan is as much a milestone for drivers as getting to 200,000 miles on the odometer. However, remember that caring for your car doesn’t stop when you make the final payment.

Regular maintenance and repairs are essential if you want to keep your vehicle running after you’ve paid it off. Here is a short list of maintenance items to regularly schedule:

• Oil changed
• Fluids flushed and replaced
• Components cleaned
• Gaskets and seals checked
• Filters replaced

Oil Changes

Car manufacturers have come a long way in the design of the combustion engine. Despite the United States Federal Regulations that played a big part in those designs, synthetic oil is a heavy hitter when extending a car’s useful life.

Synthetic oil was first developed in 1877; the first attempt to commercialize it inside the U. S. came in 1929 from Standard Oil Company of Indiana. Despite crude oil being available on the market today, synthetic motor oil is known for staying more fluid in sub-zero temperatures and resistant to evaporation in extreme heat.

Cars last longer and can go further today between oil changes. Many older model cars that use synthetic oil can go 5,000 to 7,500 miles between changes. If you request fully synthetic oil, your vehicle could go nearly 10,000 miles before needing an oil change, dependent upon what year it was built.

Fluids Flushed and Replaced

Another important distinction for the capability of car travel today is the fluids that keep many automated mechanical parts rotating. The first car designed by the now widely known Mercedes Benz® was recorded as traveling only 65 miles with numerous stops at apothecaries to obtain petrol solvents to keep the car running.

Today cars can travel thousands of miles between fluid flushes for transmission, coolant, brakes, and power steering. Each is designed to keep those moving parts cool and lubricated without seizing up.

These fluids should get flushed and replaced at different timeframes for different car brands. You should reference your owner’s manual or talk with your mechanic about the recommended fluid flush cycles for your car.

Components Cleaned

There are many components in a car that need cleaning that you can do at home or at a carwash with a power nozzle, which includes:

• Tires
•  Engine bay
•  Undercarriage
•  Battery terminals
•  Air vents

The dirt that begins to build up on the outside of a car will eventually find its way inside, reaching and damaging critical engine parts. If these components aren’t regularly cleaned once a month, you may not notice an oil leak before it’s too late.

Checking and cleaning car battery terminals can be done at home with a toothbrush and a bit of water mixed with some baking soda to make a paste. In addition, you can clean the tire side walls and air vents at home, saving you money and time.

Gaskets and Seals Checked

Combustion engines operate best under pressure. Gaskets and seals get bolted between conjoined surfaces for engine pressure to maintain. That means you or your mechanic should look for leaks around areas where there are gaskets and seals, such as in places like:

• Engine head
• Oil pan
• Fuel lines
• Exhaust system
• Transmission
• Wheels and shaft
• Brake system
• Power steering
• Suspension system

Filters Replaced

Finally, refer to your vehicle owner’s manual to determine the frequency specifications for replacing these standard filters.

• Oil filter: commonly replaced when the oil is changed
• Engine air filter: gets replaced once a year or every 15,000 to 30,000 miles
• Cabin air filter: changed out approximately every 30,000 miles
• Transmission filter: can vary from 30,000 miles to 100,000 miles depending upon the type of cooling fluid requirements for each car type
• Fuel filter: manufacturers recommend between 20,000 and 150,000 miles

Buy Used Cars That Are Safe and Reliable

Regardless of price, every vehicle sold at the Car Credit dealership undergoes an exhaustive safety inspection to protect you and your family. In addition, the dealership thoroughly reconditions every car for reliable transportation wherever you go.

If you’re ready for a new to you used vehicle that is extensively reconditioned for safety and reliability, begin by reviewing Car Credit’s wide inventory selection of cars and SUVs. As a Buy Here Pay Here dealership for the four states region of southwest Missouri, Car Credit offers a fast and seamless online credit application. To get started, apply online today!