Routine Car Maintenance

Cars tend to be on the road much longer now than they used to be. By "longer" I mean they are seeing a lot more miles. Todays vehicles are getting to 200,000 or more miles before needing extensive repairs. Technology has come quite a long way, so how do you keep your car running for that long? And if you purchase a car with high mileage, what are the risk and things you should know about it?
To keep you car running in tip top shape, it is important to ensure a few things.
1) It must be properly lubricated internally. That means get your fluids changed when you should. Oil is every 3000-5000 miles depending on driving habits. Highway miles can usually push closer to 5000, but city stop-and-go driving should be changed sooner. Always change the filter at every oil change too
2) The engine must have the right fuel and air mixture. This is important for several reasons. The fuel mixture determines the combustion in the cylinders. This is directly related to horsepower, fuel economy, and engine life. A lean mixture (not enough gas) can cause detonation, which is very bad for the internals of the engine.
3) Revs are an enemy of every engine. The higher the rpms, the greater the risk of engine failure. Driving habits have everything to do with how many rpms your engine will see. At higher rpms, there is a greater chance for bearing wear and damage, piston ring and cylinder wall scoring, among many other unwanted possibilities.

Saving money is the name of the game !

So I was filling up my car today and it was not a good experience. While not all of us can go get a hybrid or bike to work, there are a few things you can do to ensure your car is getting the best gas mileage.

1. Fill up the tires. Usually about 35psi each. (check yours). Going 35 on the front and 36 on the rear will give you the best combination of gas mileage to ride ratio.
2. Check the air filter in your car. Dirty air filters can cause the car to work harder than it should.
3. Run the air conditioning at lower speeds and roll up the windows. That is the best combination for low speeds.
4. If you are running a turbo or superchager make sure they are clean and well lubricated. They can really improve the performance, but have to be working properly.
5. Check the spark plugs and oxygen sensors. They usually need to be changed at 75K - 100K miles, but really vary depending on vehicle.

Let us know other tips and we’ll add them to the list.