Category: Car Service

How to Keep Your Car Running Smoothly at 150k Miles and Beyond

Your car should be in it for the long haul, and it can be with a little help from you! No matter your car mileage, there are simple steps you can take to ensure that keeps your car running smoothly.

Seeing your miles creep closer to 150k and getting nervous? There’s absolutely no need to be if you follow these tips.

Tips for Keeping Your Car Running Smoothly with High Mileage

Here are our top suggestions for keeping your car running smoothly with high mileage.

1. Follow Your Owner’s Manual Maintenance Schedule

You should always make sure to double-check your owner’s manual to see when certain items need to be replaced and when regular maintenance needs to be done. Some things are based on mileage, and others are based on time, so it’s important to stay on top of your regular car maintenance. This includes oil changes, tire pressure/tread depth, lights, tire rotations, etc.

While regular car service may not always be as convenient, it’s vitally important. Replacing items and checking aspects of the car before they become a problem will keep your car going for years to come.

2. Save Money for Repairs

It is also important to note, however, that even with regular car service, your car will need repairs at some point. These won’t usually be cheap, so it’s vital that you put some money aside for when the time comes.

Save as much as you can, even if it’s not much. Trust us, you will thank yourself when your car breaks down and must go into an auto repair shop.

3. Fix Problems as Soon as They Happen

Make sure to listen for any odd sounds coming from your car, and look out for any electrical glitches, tears, and/or breaks in the vehicle. Whether it’s a really small problem or something more serious, it’s best to just fix it right away to ensure your car keeps running smoothly.

Following tip #2 and saving up your extra dollars and cents will really make a difference in making sure problems can be fixed as soon as possible!

4. Use High-Quality Replacement Parts

If you decide on fixing an issue with the car yourself, make sure that you choose high-quality replacement parts. The cheapest option is not going to be the one that keeps your car running smoothly. You can also look at used part options as well – this may be a great way to find something of higher quality without paying that higher price.

For those not sure what parts to go for, discuss the viable options with a part store or local mechanic/auto technician at an auto repair shop.

5. Avoid Rust

Lastly, for those of you living somewhere with snow in the winter, make sure that you are washing your car regularly if the temperature is above freezing. When the roads are covered in salt to keep you safe while you drive, it tends to stick to your car and can turn to rust if it isn’t removed quickly.

If you don’t typically deal with snow, it’s still a good idea to wash your car regularly to prevent damage, promote safety, and remove things like bugs, dirt, and debris. 

Getting Started with Regular Car Service

One of the most important things to do is to regularly have your car serviced to ensure that your car continues to run smoothly.

For excellent service at a local auto repair shop in Old Hickory, Tennessee, reach out to the Car Doctor today to get started!

Factory Recommended Services

New vehicles come with factory recommended services that ensure your car’s warranty. The recommended services covered vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, but they are all “written promises by the manufacturer or a third-party to repair or replace defects with the vehicle it sells to you”.

In many cases, warranties don’t actually cover everything the owner assumes. It’s important to review your warranty to be certain on exactly what is covered, and in what circumstances, that way you will know what to expect ahead of time. Regardless of your specific warranty, it can come in handy because it will offset the cost of care for your vehicle. 

Types of Factory Warranties

Factory, or manufacturer, warranties are backed by the manufacturer of your automotive vehicle. The manufacturer deal with the cost of parts and services for the repairs covered in their warranty.

Standard warranties are typically based on set time or distance, whichever comes first. They tend to cover mechanical defects and items related to the safety of the vehicle. 

Service warranties typically apply to new vehicles, though some pre-owned programs may include similar coverage. Some younger used vehicles may also have remaining coverage. This covers things from brake pads to oil changes. 

Extended warranties are often sold as up-sells on new vehicles and may be transferable; they extend the warranty coverage beyond the original term. The extension could be anywhere from 3-5 years. 

Your Responsibilities

Just as with any other contract, you will have some responsibilities in regard to maintaining the validity of your warranty. As always, the requirements will vary from warranty to warranty, but some common examples include requiring maintenance to be performed by certified mechanics and you to keep proof of this. There are often also clauses around the circumstances under which a warranty may be transferred to a new owner.

If you will be adding in any special features or parts, we recommend checking your warranty in order to confirm whether or not it may void your warranty. It’s also important to take note of when buying a used vehicle from an individual.

Manufacturer Recommended Service 

There’s a lot of conflicting information as to whether or not you should follow your manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedules. If you have any doubts, be sure to swing by and see us so we can outline how to get the most out of your vehicle, while staying safe and allowing it to last.

General Guidelines

To keep things simple, the Care Car Council has created a  Service Interval Schedule to track your maintenance, which you can find here.

We also advise reviewing your Owner’s Manual in its entirety in order to understand exactly what your vehicle needs. This is where the manufacturer will detail any vehicle-specific maintenance requirements that differ from the standard.

No matter the make or model of your vehicle, you should be frequently checking the following: 

  • Dashboard Indicator Lights
  • Lights
  • Tire Pressure and condition 
  • Fluids
  • Engine Oil Level 

Other parts should be checked at regular intervals from 3,000 miles/3 months to 12 months/12 miles to see if they need maintenance. The Care Care Guide lists all of these, but again, your Owner’s Manual will refer to the exact maintenance your model needs.

Our Recommendations and Service

At The Car Doctor, we recommend also recommend service checkups at every 30,000 miles in order to ensure that everything is running smoothly and assess your vehicle’s needs. Our checks typically include the following:

  • Oil Change
  • Inspect and replace filters (air, cabin, fuel, etc)
  • Replace fluids (cooling system, brakes, steering, etc.)
  • Tire rotation and balance, check and adjust tire pressure
  • Visual inspection of parts & systems: tires, wheels, brakes, lights, belts, hoses, drive train, fuel system, etc.
  • At higher mileage, spark plugs, timing belts, etc. may need replacement
  • Vehicle road test

Service Lights

Many newer vehicles have service lights that indicate services required at certain mileage intervals. Some vehicles also have a maintenance light that indicates when service is required. This is based on information from a sensor in your engine. For specific details on your vehicle, please refer to your Owner’s Manual. 

Factory recommended services and vehicle warranties can be confusing but they don’t have to be timely or expensive! Call The Car Doctor Auto Repair today to book your check-up or service or to simply ask us what’s best for your vehicle. We are the auto repair shop people have come to rely on and trust in Old Hickory, Hermitage, and Nashville, TN.