Feel free (as I know you all will!) to agree or disagree. Nothing magical here. Just felt like listing the things I learned to do over 61 years of doing (or having it done) car maintenance.
1. Keep oil changes to no more than 5000 miles, particularly on newer turbo GDI engines. IMHO, trying to go 10-20,000 miles is a good way to shorten the life of the engine, create sludge, cause timing chain issues, etc. Check your oil level regularly!
2. I always put in a new oil filter with each oil change. Force of habit.
3. On annual basis, I try to do three or four one quart replacements of coolant. Since hot coolant flows through my overflow tank, I do it there. But you could also do it by siphoning off an inch or so in the radiator and replacing it. My plastic overflow tanks are spotless right now in the cars in my signature and the coolant looks like new. Should help the water pump as well. BTW, I always use distilled water to dilute full strength antifreeze.
4. Check tightness of screws and fasteners under the hood every time you change the oil. Hose clamps loosen and I even had a bolt that snugged the exhaust to the turbo loosen. Cheap insurance to do this.
5. Keep the car, particularly underneath, washed off in the winter after driving on salty roads. Use an oily anti-rust coating (many have been discussed on here). Catalytic converter guards can rust off, frames can literally disintegrate. etc.
6. Keep an eye on rubber parts such as door gaskets, bellows on steering and suspension components and cooling hoses. Remember, typical rubber in these applications is swellable by petroleum products!! If you must apply a lubricant, stick with silicone oil or grease. And keep in mind that even sprayable silicones in a can may have a petroleum carrier! Test those sprays on a styrofoam cup before using.
7. Apply a UV absorbing cleaner/protector (non-slippery type) to interior surfaces so that they don't crack and fade over the years.
8. Keep the interior clean! Get rid of the sandwich wrappers, drink cups, etc. Don't smoke in your car. Actually, don't smoke at all!!!
9. Keep good weatherproof mats on the floor of your vehicle. This is also a good idea in cargo areas.
10. Keep your tires inflated to proper pressures and DON'T ignore the spare tire (if you are lucky enough to have one!) Make sure that the car has a good alignment to prevent tire and suspension wear.
11. Have any leaks into the interior found and repaired before the floor rots out under the carpet!
12. Change fluids on a regular and sensible basis. Transmission, differential, transfer cases, Torsen setups, etc. all need maintenance. Use the correct fluids at the correct viscosity. This is also true for so-called "lifetime" fluids!! If you want to keep the vehicle, change 'em out!
13. Keep an eye out for chips in the paint. I use the little paint repair bottles or tubes. Fix it before rust starts!
14. Make sure that the engine air filter and the cabin air filters are changed on a reasonable basis. I think 20,000 miles is a good time to change the cabin filter.
15. I am a believer in flushing out the brake fluid and replacing it every three years or so. This keeps moisture in the system to a minimum.
16. Replace suspension parts as needed. Trying to keep driving with bad parts in the suspension just leads to more issues and more money spent.
17. If possible, replace parts with OEM or very trusted parts from another manufacturer. Don't cheap out on parts that require a lot of labor to install or that might put your life in danger (ie cheapo brake parts). This particularly applies to tires!!
18. DO sit down when you buy a car and READ the owner's manual!
19. Use quality fuel. To me, it is crazy to spend $50,000 on a car and then run something like Sheetz 87 octane in it. I use Top Tier fuels.
20. Keep the car clean on the outside. Maintain it with car washes and if possible the occasional wax job. Remove tree sap, bugs, etc ASAP.
21. If at all possible, keep your vehicle garaged or in shade during the day. UV light can go after paint, interior fabrics and plastics and the rubber in your tires.
If anyone has any other thoughts to add, I would be pleased to see them.
1. Keep oil changes to no more than 5000 miles, particularly on newer turbo GDI engines. IMHO, trying to go 10-20,000 miles is a good way to shorten the life of the engine, create sludge, cause timing chain issues, etc. Check your oil level regularly!
2. I always put in a new oil filter with each oil change. Force of habit.
3. On annual basis, I try to do three or four one quart replacements of coolant. Since hot coolant flows through my overflow tank, I do it there. But you could also do it by siphoning off an inch or so in the radiator and replacing it. My plastic overflow tanks are spotless right now in the cars in my signature and the coolant looks like new. Should help the water pump as well. BTW, I always use distilled water to dilute full strength antifreeze.
4. Check tightness of screws and fasteners under the hood every time you change the oil. Hose clamps loosen and I even had a bolt that snugged the exhaust to the turbo loosen. Cheap insurance to do this.
5. Keep the car, particularly underneath, washed off in the winter after driving on salty roads. Use an oily anti-rust coating (many have been discussed on here). Catalytic converter guards can rust off, frames can literally disintegrate. etc.
6. Keep an eye on rubber parts such as door gaskets, bellows on steering and suspension components and cooling hoses. Remember, typical rubber in these applications is swellable by petroleum products!! If you must apply a lubricant, stick with silicone oil or grease. And keep in mind that even sprayable silicones in a can may have a petroleum carrier! Test those sprays on a styrofoam cup before using.
7. Apply a UV absorbing cleaner/protector (non-slippery type) to interior surfaces so that they don't crack and fade over the years.
8. Keep the interior clean! Get rid of the sandwich wrappers, drink cups, etc. Don't smoke in your car. Actually, don't smoke at all!!!
9. Keep good weatherproof mats on the floor of your vehicle. This is also a good idea in cargo areas.
10. Keep your tires inflated to proper pressures and DON'T ignore the spare tire (if you are lucky enough to have one!) Make sure that the car has a good alignment to prevent tire and suspension wear.
11. Have any leaks into the interior found and repaired before the floor rots out under the carpet!
12. Change fluids on a regular and sensible basis. Transmission, differential, transfer cases, Torsen setups, etc. all need maintenance. Use the correct fluids at the correct viscosity. This is also true for so-called "lifetime" fluids!! If you want to keep the vehicle, change 'em out!
13. Keep an eye out for chips in the paint. I use the little paint repair bottles or tubes. Fix it before rust starts!
14. Make sure that the engine air filter and the cabin air filters are changed on a reasonable basis. I think 20,000 miles is a good time to change the cabin filter.
15. I am a believer in flushing out the brake fluid and replacing it every three years or so. This keeps moisture in the system to a minimum.
16. Replace suspension parts as needed. Trying to keep driving with bad parts in the suspension just leads to more issues and more money spent.
17. If possible, replace parts with OEM or very trusted parts from another manufacturer. Don't cheap out on parts that require a lot of labor to install or that might put your life in danger (ie cheapo brake parts). This particularly applies to tires!!
18. DO sit down when you buy a car and READ the owner's manual!
19. Use quality fuel. To me, it is crazy to spend $50,000 on a car and then run something like Sheetz 87 octane in it. I use Top Tier fuels.
20. Keep the car clean on the outside. Maintain it with car washes and if possible the occasional wax job. Remove tree sap, bugs, etc ASAP.
21. If at all possible, keep your vehicle garaged or in shade during the day. UV light can go after paint, interior fabrics and plastics and the rubber in your tires.
If anyone has any other thoughts to add, I would be pleased to see them.
