13 Habits to Make Your Car Last Over 500k Miles Without Repairs

Summary

In this video, expert advice is shared to help car owners maximize their vehicle's lifespan and prevent costly repairs. The video covers 13 essential maintenance habits, such as changing oil and transmission fluid, flushing coolant, replacing spark plugs, and maintaining brake fluid. Viewers are also given a bonus tip about keeping a log book to track maintenance and improve the car’s longevity. From avoiding common mistakes like cold revving to understanding the importance of undercarriage washing, these tips can help cars run smoothly for over 300,000 miles.

Takeaways

• 😀 Don’t follow the manufacturer’s oil change intervals; change oil every 5,000 miles or 6 months to avoid engine failure.
• 😀 Change transmission fluid every 60,000 miles (or 6 years) to prevent costly transmission repairs.
• 😀 Flush your coolant every 5 years or 50,000 miles to prevent engine damage from broken-down coolant.
• 😀 Replace your timing belt every 60,000 to 100,000 miles to avoid catastrophic engine damage.
• 😀 Keep spark plugs fresh to maintain fuel economy and prevent rough idle, slow starts, or misfires.
• 😀 Replace your fuel filter every 30,000 to 60,000 miles to avoid costly fuel pump replacements.
• 😀 Flush brake fluid every 2-3 years to avoid brake failure caused by water absorption.
• 😀 Perform differential and transfer case service every 30,000 to 50,000 miles to maintain smooth power delivery.
• 😀 Clean your mass air flow (MAF) sensor to improve engine performance and avoid costly replacements.
• 😀 Replace the PCV valve every 30,000 to 50,000 miles to avoid oil leaks, excessive oil consumption, and engine issues.

Q & A

What percentage of car breakdowns are linked to poor maintenance?

Over 75% of car breakdowns are linked to poor maintenance.

What is a common misconception about car lifespan?

Many people assume that cars just wear out around 150,000 miles, but in reality, cars can last much longer with proper care.

What is the recommended oil change interval for most cars?

Instead of following the manufacturer's recommendation of 10,000 miles, it's better to change the oil every 5,000 miles or every 6 months, especially with full synthetic oil.

Why should you change your transmission fluid every 60,000 miles?

Transmission fluid can break down over time, causing microscopic clutch particles and metal shavings to damage the gears, leading to expensive repairs if neglected.

What happens if coolant is not changed regularly?

After about 5 years or 50,000 miles, coolant turns acidic and stops protecting the engine. It can lead to severe damage like rotted water pumps, clogged heater cores, or head gasket leaks.

Why is it important to replace the timing belt before it fails?

If the timing belt breaks while driving, the pistons can collide with the valves, causing major engine damage that can cost $2,000 to $5,000 or more to repair.

How do worn spark plugs affect your car's performance?

Worn spark plugs can reduce fuel economy by up to 30%, causing poor fuel burn, rough idle, slow starts, weak acceleration, and engine misfires.

Why should you replace the fuel filter at recommended intervals?

A clogged fuel filter makes the fuel pump work harder, which can eventually lead to a costly $500 to $1,000 pump replacement.

What is the consequence of neglecting brake fluid maintenance?

Brake fluid absorbs moisture over time, which can lower its boiling point, causing brake failure due to air bubbles in the fluid. Regular flushing every 2 to 3 years can prevent this.

Why is tire alignment important for car longevity?

Misaligned tires can cause uneven wear, reduce fuel efficiency, and shorten tire life by up to 30%. Regular alignment checks can help prevent these issues.

What are the benefits of keeping a log book for car maintenance?

A log book helps track when maintenance was done, detects patterns of wear or issues, and can add value to the car when selling or trading it in. It also helps mechanics understand the vehicle's history.