With the high price of used cars, learning how to make your car last more than 250,000 miles is more important than ever. While there are some basic tips you should know, you often need to go beyond the basics to really make a car last. Here are four ways to make your car last more than 250,000 miles.
1. It goes beyond the owner’s manual
The owner’s manual is a good place to start for recommended maintenance on any vehicle. However, when you want your car to last more than 250,000 miles, you may need to look at other resources. Find groups online for your make and model to get a feel for what real owners are saying. You’ll often find tips on problem parts that the owner’s manual won’t tell you. Use this knowledge to inform your preventative maintenance strategy to get the most mileage out of your car.
You should also look at items that are susceptible to environmental factors. For example, rubber suspension pads and hoses can dry out and crack over time. Replacing these parts before they fail will reduce the risk of a bigger problem in the future.
2. Use high quality replacement parts
From air filters to engine oil, the quality of the components you put in your vehicle will affect how long it can last. Making a car last more than 250,000 miles is no easy feat. However, you can ruin even the best car by using the cheapest generic replacement parts from your local auto parts store.
Instead, choose OEM quality or better aftermarket components whenever possible. Higher-quality oils, for example, will include detergents and anti-wear agents that provide better lubrication and heat management, according to Mobil 1.
High-end oil and air filters will often do a better job of capturing contaminants and protecting the engine. High-quality brake components will often withstand heat better, while quality suspension parts will better resist corrosion over time.
3. Keep it clean!
It may sound silly, but keeping your car clean can help it last more than 250,000 miles. Environmental contamination such as salt, acid rain and even bird droppings can create problems with your vehicle’s metal surfaces.
Be sure to clean the underside of your car at least once a week in salty areas and apply an undercoat if possible. This will protect against road salt corrosion in the winter, reducing the risk of damage to the terminal frame.
On top of that, have your vehicle professionally detailed and protected at least once a year. This will help remove contaminants that can eat through the paint and make it harder for future contaminants to cause damage.
By doing this annually, you’ll keep your car’s finish in top shape and keep corrosion and rust at bay. It may not seem like a big deal, but over 250,000 miles your car will see a lot of environmental damage. Making it last means taking care of them regularly.
4. Drive carefully and almost any car can last more than 250,000 miles
It may sound simple, but driving carefully is a big factor in making your car last 250,000+ miles. Avoid smashing potholes and overspeeding to protect your suspension and steering components. In some vehicles, hard hits can even damage the oil pan and transmission mounts, causing costly damage.
Also, avoid over revving the engine frequently. Of course, you may need to catch up quickly when the situation calls for it. But keeping hard acceleration to a minimum will help keep the engine in better condition in the long run.
Use these tips and make your car last 250,000 miles or more
Of course, these are just four of the ways you can make your car last past the 250,000 mile mark. Regular maintenance is always the first step in keeping any car healthy, but going beyond the standard oil change is key to getting the most out of your car. But what do you think? Leave a comment below and tell us some of your tips for getting the most mileage out of your vehicle.
