Your Race to 500,000

20 hot tips for helping your vehicle go 500K:
Avoiding the shop until you hear a rattle is not the best way to extend the life of your car. By following these simple steps on a regular basis you can keep your engine running well, prevent problems from occurring, and maybe even run your own 500K.

Read your owners manual about regular vehicle maintenance services
Not surprisingly the owner's manual is an amazing resource for car maintenance. Maintaining a car is a lot like putting together Swedish furniture, it's important to read the directions.
Change oil and filter as required
Oil is the lifeblood of your car. If you really want to keep your car running for a long time, there's nothing more important.
Rotate tires every other oil change
Generally speaking, your front tires are worn out more quickly than your back tires. This is because of the weight of your axels and braking. Also turning causes the outside of your tires to wear more quickly.
Check tire pressures monthly
Under inflated tires wear thin on the outside. Over inflated tires wear thin in the center of the tire. Check for the proper PSI, marked on the tire itself, and check monthly.
Keep battery terminals clean and free from corrosion
There really is nothing worse than the sound of a car not starting on a cold morning. A good way to prevent this is to keep your terminals clean. You can find a cleaning kit at your local automotive shop.
Maintain all fluid levels as recommended in your owners manual
Without these fluids your car wouldn't make it 100 feet. Keeping your fluid levels properly maintained can add thousands of miles to your car. Be sure to check:
Have brakes inspected once a year or every 15,000 miles
For safety reasons alone, it's important to check your brakes on a regular basis.
Check you exterior lights for proper operation weekly
If for no other reason, to avoid the traffic stop.
Replace wiper blades at least once a year
You'll be amazed how much easier it is in to drive in the rain when you can see.
Keep your fresh air intake clean
Check periodically for debris, bugs, leaves, etc on the grill. This could starve your engine for air.
Replace air and fuel filters every 24,000 miles or as required
Fuel filters can clog pretty early, even if you have a new car it's important to replace the filter. If dirt and moisture get into your fuel tank they can cause rust to form.
Wax and polish your vehicle at least two times a year
It actually will improve your car's performance slightly. By keeping the car clean, you can reduce the surface tension of the air flowing over your car. More importantly, keeping your car's exterior waxed and polished is a great way to maintain the value of your car.
Remove any bird droppings immediately
As unsightly as they are, bird droppings aren't just an eyesore. Left alone they can eat away at your paint exposing your car's body to the elements.
Keep windows clean both inside and out
Clean windows improve visibility and make for a safer trip.
Don't allow your vehicle to idle for long periods of time
Carbon can form in your engine. This decreases engine performance and could damage your engine.
Have fuel injectors cleaned every 24,000 miles
Even a restriction of only 8-10% in a fuel injector can cause a misfire. This takes away your fuel efficiency, engine performance, and emissions.
Keep your radiator free from any debris accumulation
By keeping your engine running at the temperature it is designed to run at, contributes to the overall health of your automobile.
Follow the factory recommendations for replacing all drive belts
Drive belts are corrdinated to run at a certain RPM. If the drive belt is stretched or loose, it can decease the performance of your car. And if your drive belt breaks, your car isn't going anywhere.
Make sure that only properly trained, certified mechanics work on your vehicle
Shortcuts and quick fixes with cars usually lead to more problems down the road. If you really want to extend the life of your car, it's important to make sure your car is in the right hands.
Regularly scheduled vehicle maintenance is cheaper than unscheduled repairs
Spend a little now and save a lot down the road. I can't stress it enough how much proper maintenance early can prevent major problems. Because the race to 500,000 miles starts with simple maintenance.

Mike "The Mechanic" Parsons has been a mechanic for 35 years. He has been with Precision Tune Auto Care for the last 15 years.