Regular maintenance is a crucial part of owning a car. Frequent washing, detailing, oil changes, and repairs, are some of the tasks car owners have to undertake, whether that’s by themselves or with the help of an auto repair shop.
But what should you do when your car clocks 200,000 miles? Will the maintenance still be the same as that of a new car? Let’s find out.
Switch to a High Mileage Oil
If you haven’t already, you should consider getting the best oil for cars with over 200,000 miles for your high-mileage vehicle. These oils contain additives that help to rejuvenate seals and clear built-up sludge from years of use.
Seek Out Seals
With time, seals may expand or shrink, causing oil leaks from your engine. While high-mileage oil can help with this to a great extent, you should also consider changing the seal.
Change Your Power Steering Fluid
Power steering fluid may not appear degraded, but it might be. Listen out for a high-pitched whine from the pump—this is a good indicator that the fluid has deteriorated. In that case, drain fluid from the reservoir using an extraction pump or turkey baster and fill it up with some fresh fluid.
Brake Fluid Maintenance
Brake fluid naturally attracts moisture and can only handle so much before it is compromised. This leads to brake-line corrosion and, subsequently, poor braking performance. A brake fluid flush will help to prevent further corrosion, restoring your car’s braking.
Clean the Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor
On its 200,000-mile journey, your engine would have taken in a lot of air. The mass flow rate of air into the engine is measured by the MAF sensor. The sensor may get filthy over time and give inaccurate results. A dirty MAF sensor will frequently exhibit poor fuel efficiency. Cleaning your MAF sensor is necessary for good running and reliable performance.
Clean the Fuel Injectors
The fuel injectors should be cleaned every 100,000 miles to ensure they remain effective. This can prevent overheating due to poor fuel quality and lack of air circulation. A simple way to do this is to use a hand pump and vacuum cleaner, which will gradually evacuate all dirt particles from each injector.
Replace Engine and Transmission Mounts
Worn engine mounts can cause a lot of problems. First, they’ll make it difficult for the engine to provide power when you need it most. Second, if left unchecked, they could fail in a very unsafe way. So if you’re noticing roughness or hesitation under acceleration or difficulty braking and accelerating, especially during highway driving, it may be time to check your mounts.
Check out TorqueDial for more information on proper vehicle maintenance.
