It’s commonly understood among drivers that the more miles a car has on the odometer, the greater the likelihood of issues arising. Generally, a vehicle is considered to have high mileage once it hits or surpasses the 100,000-mile mark. The average age of cars and light trucks on U.S. roads reached a record high of 12.5 years in 2023, indicating that many American drivers own a high-mileage vehicle.
Maintaining a vehicle is crucial at any mileage, but cars with over 100,000 miles on the odometer present unique challenges. If you are among the many motorists in the United States with at least six figures on the odometer, follow these tips to ensure your vehicle remains roadworthy.
Give Your Car Regular Maintenance
Major components in modern vehicles, such as the engine and transmission, are designed to function reliably for well over 100,000 miles. However, regular maintenance prevents wear and tear from accelerating and causing costly repairs.
Familiarize yourself with your vehicle’s specific maintenance needs and follow them. Cars with high mileage benefit from tailored maintenance routines aimed at prolonging their service life. Below are several strategies to effectively maintain your high-mileage car:
- Oil changes: Follow the manufacturer’s recommended oil change intervals, which typically vary between 3,000 and 7,500 miles for standard oil. Synthetic oils can last up to 12,000 miles before needing a change. If your engine is older and well-worn, consider using high-mileage oil formulations to preserve the lifespan of your engine parts.
- Transmission fluid changes: If your vehicle has surpassed 100,000 miles, it should have undergone at least one transmission fluid change. Following this, it’s advisable to replace it every 30,000 miles.
- Timing belt replacements: Timing belts are vital in engine operation, maintaining precise synchronization between the crankshaft and camshafts. A timing belt failure can lead to extensive engine damage, potentially requiring a complete rebuild or replacement. Regularly inspect your timing belts and adhere to the manufacturer’s recommended replacement intervals, typically between 30,000 and 120,000 miles.
- Air filter changes: Air filters lose effectiveness with age, impacting your engine’s performance. Whether you drive regularly or not, it’s essential to replace them every 12,000 to 15,000 miles or annually, whichever comes first. Consider shorter replacement intervals if you often drive in dusty or harsh conditions.
- Battery replacement: Most car batteries are designed to last about 3 to 5 years. However, the closer it is to the 5-year mark, the less charge it can hold and the more frequently you should inspect and test it. Inspect your battery every 6 months at a minimum beyond the 3-year mark, and replace it after 5 years.
Inspect Your Tires Frequently
Although tires also have lifespans and require replacement after a while, each set of tires wears out uniquely. Even if you compare two vehicles of the same make and model after driving the same distance, the tires will likely have a different wear and tear level. Tire models, driving habits, environment, weather conditions, and road quality all influence your tires’ wear patterns.
Due to these factors, there isn’t a universally suggested timeframe for replacing tires, even for vehicles that cover many miles. However, there are several guidelines you can follow to monitor the condition of your tires and ensure they are replaced when necessary.
If you drive in normal conditions, you can use the penny test to measure tire wear. Here’s how to perform this test:
- Take a penny and look at Lincoln’s head.
- Insert the penny into one of your tires’ center treads upside down.
- Check how much of Lincoln’s head remains visible. The approximate distance between the top of the coin and the top of Lincoln’s head is about 2/32 of an inch. This is the NHTSA’s minimum tire tread depth threshold, under which driving becomes unsafe. If the top of Lincoln’s head is visible, your tread depth is less than 2/32”.
- Repeat for all other tires.
Replace your tires immediately if your tread depth is less than 2/32” or any tires are torn, cracked, or have uneven wear patterns.
Limit Harsh or Extreme Driving Conditions
Practicing cautious driving habits is critical to protecting your engine, transmission, tires, and other vital parts from unnecessary stress. Knowing the scenarios that can strain your high-mileage car allows you to minimize or avoid them. Some typical examples of demanding driving conditions include:
- Very high temperatures: Driving in hot conditions stresses the cooling system and increases oil temperature, harming engine performance.
- Very low temperatures: Driving in cold environments can prevent the engine from reaching optimal temperatures and stress the battery, accelerating wear on both.
- Stop-and-go driving: Heavy traffic with frequent stops (red lights, stop signs) can stress brakes and suspensions.
- Frequent towing: Even if your vehicle is designed for towing, pulling heavy loads strains nearly every component: engine, transmission, steering, brakes, suspensions, and tires.
- High-speed or aggressive driving: Hard acceleration, high engine RPMs, high speeds in general, and harsh or sudden braking can rapidly wear most major components out.
If your high-mileage vehicle often encounters these challenging situations, increase the frequency of maintenance to reduce the likelihood of part failure. This might mean opting for more frequent fluid changes and part replacements or scheduling regular service check-ups at shorter intervals.
Repair and Replace Parts as Needed
No matter the make and model, all high-mileage cars eventually require repairs and parts replacement to remain roadworthy. This principle applies whether you are continuing to use a car you once bought new or just got a deal on a used vehicle.
Unlike new models, high-mileage vehicles are more likely to require specific types of repairs or parts replacement beyond typical maintenance needs. Examples of parts you should expect to service on a high-mileage car include:
- Brake parts. Due to wear and tear, a high-mileage car’s brake system requires closer attention than a new vehicle’s. In addition to brake pads and rotors, get your brake calipers, lines, and master cylinders inspected and schedule repairs or replacements immediately if the mechanic recommends them.
- Suspension system. The joints and linkages of a suspension system may require servicing after a high mileage count. Examples include control arm bushings, wheel bearings, and tie rod ends.
- Exhaust system. The exhaust pipes, muffler, and catalytic converter are constantly exposed to the elements. On high-mileage cars, they are likely to develop rust, corrosion, and leaks, reducing engine performance and increasing noise and emissions.
- Engine parts. After many miles, the engine’s seals, head gaskets, water pump, and oil pump may degrade. Scheduling regular engine servicing can help you replace these parts before they fail and cause severe damage to your engine.
Let Hometown Keep Your Vehicle Roadworthy
Hometown Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram can provide you with complete automotive services. Our team of friendly and knowledgeable technicians can give your high-mileage car a complete range of services and parts recommendations.
If your vehicle accepts Mopar parts, we also regularly offer special deals to help reduce maintenance costs. Contact us today to schedule a service, and let us help keep your vehicle in the best possible condition.
