Car Care
Aging Gracefully
How proper car care can extend the life and safety of your vehicle
Created by Steve TempleYour car doesn't have to be a classic to have a lot of miles. "Advances in vehicle quality and engine technology have allowed American car owners to keep their vehicles on the road longer," says Eric Papacek, analytic consultant at R. L. Polk, the longest standing curator of automotive records in the United States. According to Mike Gingell, vice president of Polk's aftermarket division, consumers are keeping their vehicles longer for the first time since the mid-1990s. The median car age recorded in 2002 was 8.4 years, "the highest median-age since we began tracking the statistic in 1970."
At an average of 12,000 miles driven each year by most Americans, according to Popular Mechanics an 8.4-year old vehicle could have an odometer reading of approximately 100,000 miles. Therefore, even though advanced technology and better quality make the prospect of keeping and driving your vehicle — long after it's paid for — a justifiable one, once your vehicle reaches the 75,000-mile mark, it's time to take a more diligent approach toward its maintenance.
What specifically happens to a car as it ages and accumulates mileage? And more important, what can you do to slow down that process or even rejuvenate your vehicle? A preventative maintenance program of consistent car care — and a little common sense — can go a long way toward keeping your vehicle running strong and looking good well beyond 75,000 miles.
Parts of the Equation
Normal wear and tear is naturally going to occur over time, but keeping the undercarriage clean can help slow the process. Rubber bushings, for example, in the suspension are susceptible to deterioration from road grime. The rubber can wear from the oil and other contaminants under your vehicle, and the suspension components such as the swaybar bushings start to bind. When this happens, your vehicle's performance suffers. Rubber bushings that are cracked or eaten away may break down before the suspension can respond to a bumpy road, allowing for play or wobble.
Ball joints on older vehicles, for example, require regular lubing with a grease gun. Even though the ball joints on later-model cars are normally sealed, they still should be inspected for damage. In addition, misaligned or unbalanced wheels are the biggest causes of suspension problems. By the time your odometer hits the 100,000-mile mark, shocks and struts usually begin to show signs of age by excessive bouncing or body sway. Unusual or uneven tire wear is another indicator of possible suspension problems.
Other undercarriage components that often wear out over time include the hangers for exhaust systems. While the high nickel content in modern exhaust components helps to resist corrosion far better than in times past, if you live in the rust belt you'll need to examine the exhaust system at least twice a year.
Inspect and Check
Check for leaks in the brake hydraulic system and also in the transaxle or rear differential. Drips or stained seals are the often the best indicators of a possible malfunction. Giving them attention early may prolong the life of your vehicle and save on repair bills. Also check for leaks under the hood. A small coolant leak today can result in an engine overheating tomorrow.
Regularly checking your vehicle's oil level is also critical — make sure the level is always full and the oil is changed regularly. Use a high-quality, name-brand oil that meets SAE standards and is the appropriate grade for your engine (see your owners manual). Most manufacturers recommend changing the oil at least every 6,000 miles. For city driving or other hard use — and especially for engines with over 75,000 miles, every 3,000 is a better idea. Never proceed to drive with an extremely low oil level (less than the minimum mark) or extremely low oil pressure (should the oil pressure-warning lamp go on while driving).
A number of motor oil and engine oil additives are available, and for cars with over 75,000 miles that may help to improve the internal lubrication and cylinder combustion. How about using an engine flush? This solution helps to remove deposits and coating from internal engine parts before an oil change. It's useful in some cases, but there is an exception. If there is too much carbon buildup inside the engine, flushing may have a bad effect — because washed off carbon particles may clog the oil screen in the crankcase pan, and that will result in engine damage.
Tune-Ups, Timing and Transmissions
Regular tune-ups and checking the condition of rubber belts for engine accessories will also help you catch problems before they become severe. Dirty filters (both fuel and air) can rob your vehicle of performance and should be cleaned or replaced regularly. If your car has a carburetor, at the next tune-up ask a mechanic to clean it with carburetor cleaner. For vehicles with a fuel injection system, periodically clean it with detergent fuel additives.
One of the most important yet less obvious service procedures that should be done well before the 100,000-mile mark is replacing the timing belt. (If your car has a timing chain instead, this recommendation doesn't apply.) Putting on a new belt before the old one breaks is essential or your engine may otherwise be subject to extensive damage to its valvetrain.
Generally speaking, engines are less vulnerable to wear over time if you follow the above recommendations. That's not always the case with an automatic transmission, which is one of the most complicated — and consequently, one of the less reliable parts of the vehicle. The repair of an automatic transmission is complex and tends to be quite expensive. On the other hand, if taken good care of, your transmission can last a very long time with no significant problems. It doesn't require too much effort — just periodic checking of the pan for debris, and regular maintenance.
Most transmission troubles start after overheating, usually caused by a heavy load or towing a trailer, rocking the vehicle when stuck in the snow, continuous stop-and-go traffic in hot weather, or racing the engine when trying to free yourself from snow or mud. At higher temperatures, the transmission fluid burns and loses its lubricating qualities, then it becomes oxidized and leaves deposits all over inside the transmission. Exposed to the heat, the rubber seals and gaskets inside the transmission become hardened and leak fluid. Also, the metal parts warp and loose their strength.
A faulty transmission can also result from the wrong amount of fluid (too much or too little), or using the wrong type. Change the fluid as often as indicated in your owner's manual or when it becomes too dark (brown in color rather than pink or red).
Also, keep in mind that an automatic transmission cannot be drained completely — there is always some transmission fluid left inside the transmission (in the torque converter, the valve body, etc.). That means you can only change about 60 percent of the fluid at once. One more reason to change it more often.
Savings and Safety
One of the simplest ways of getting the most for your motoring money is by extending the life of your current car, truck or SUV — but saving money is not the only objective or end result. A well maintained vehicle is a safer vehicle. Brand-new vehicles may come loaded with safety features unheard of when your now high-mileage car came off the assembly line, but regular inspections and care of its brakes, tires, battery, hoses and everything in between will go a long way toward keeping your vehicle safe. You can also save a lot of money down the road on expensive repair bills as a result of neglect if you adopt a preventative maintenance program and stick to it. Ultimately, you and your vehicle will be safer, too.
Beyond Clean
On the outside, while it may still look stylish, or even trendy, the paint and finish on your older vehicle might begin to show signs of age, especially if it hasn't been treated to regular waxings. Ultraviolet (UV) rays, rain and snow can all take a toll on your vehicle's finish making it more susceptible to fading, oxidation, premature wear, road deposits and other environmental contaminants. Hard-water spots and bird-droppings, for example, are acidic and can pit the surface of your paint.
Besides washing and waxing the finish on a regular basis (at least once a month for washing, and every few months for waxing), vehicles, in colder climates especially, need to be cleaned underneath in order to remove corrosive road salt and other contaminants. Otherwise, over time, these substances will slowly eat away at your vehicle's parts and paint. Of course, keeping the inside of your vehicle clean with regular carpet, upholstery and dash care is vital to maintaining the integrity of its interior. Yet, interior and exterior cleaning are imperative to more than the appearance of your vehicle — keeping things clean is also an important part of preventing future problems and maintaining the smooth operation of an automobile's many running parts.
Panoply of Prevention
There's a lot to remember to keep your car youthful in appearance and performance. You may still be enamoured with your current vehicle and not interested in, or be able to afford the purchase of, a new vehicle. When you want your vehicle to age gracefully, do the following and it can run more safely and efficiently for many more miles to come:
* Find a good mechanic, especially if you are not an auto-repair do-it-yourselfer.
* Change the oil every 3,000 miles.
* Inspect belts and hoses for unusual wear and visible cracks, and change as needed.
* Inspect the brake system for leaks and wear; check brake fluid levels at every oil change.
* Keep your vehicle clean, especially the undercarriage.
* Check tire pressure on a weekly basis, especially if you've updated your vehicle with lower-profile tires.
* Don't drive on worn tires.
* Pay attention to warning signs and sounds; don't neglect the obvious.
* Get regular tune-ups
* Prepare your vehicle for each upcoming season.
* Check power-steering fluid, radiator coolant, windshield washer and other fluid levels at every oil change.
* Protect your vehicle from the elements.
* Inspect and lubricate U-joints, CV-joints and wheel bearings every few months.
* Inspect and change wiper blades as needed.
* Check the suspension system and alignment every few months.
* Make sure your brake lights and headlights are working properly.