Easy Steps for Prolonging the Life of Your Car's Engine

The most important step for ensuring that your car's engine lasts a long time is to change its oil frequently, no more than every 3,000 miles. Although many car manufacturer's recommend changing engine oil every 6,000 miles, the time-honored tradition of changing oil every 3,000 miles is the best way to ensure a healthy and long-lasting engine. Engine wear particles and debris, the natural by-products of engine operation and engine friction, are extremely detrimental to the longevity of a car's engine. These wear particles scrape, wear, and pit the delicate metal and/or aluminum internal engine parts; a situation that does not promote engine health and/or function. It's always better to err on the side of good judgment: change your car's engine oil every 3,000 miles.

Drive Sanely

Believe it or not, the way in which you drive your car plays a huge role in how long your car's engine lasts. People who hot rod their car's frequently - folks who speed, spin and squeel their car's tires, or engage in a lot of jackrabbit starts and stops - tend to have more problems with their car's engines than do those people who drive more sanely and moderately. Higher speeds, quick starts and stops, and spinning a car's tires - these behaviors all put a tremendous strain on a car's engine and lead to increased engine wear and higher engine operating temperature. To ensure the health and longevity of your car's engine, refrain from these types of high speed and/or quick start/stop driving behaviors. Your car's engine will thank you for it!

Service Air Filter Frequently

Your car's engine air filter, which is responsible for filtering the outside air that is sucked into your car's engine, is critical for maintaining a clean, efficient engine. Dirty air filters lose their ability to filter out grime, dirt, and debris from outside air; thus, these dirty particulate matter find their way into your car's engine and wreak all kinds of havoc, from impeding combustion and fuel flow to causing microscopic engine wear. To ensure the health and functioning of your car's engine air filter, it is recommended that you inspect your car's engine air filter at every oil change(every 3,00 miles) and replace when necessary. Under normal driving conditions, a car's engine air filter will need to be replaced every 12-15,000 miles. By keeping your engine's air filter clean and serviced, you will do a great deal to ensure the longevity and health of your car's engine!

Keep Your Car's Engine Running Cool

Engine operating temperature, the normal temperature of your car's engine during normal driving, is of vital importance to engine longevity. Excessive engine heat leads to the degradation of engine oil and engine coolant, both of which can lead to excessive engine wear in the long-term and engine failure and/or damage in the short-term. To safeguard your car's engine from the harmful effects of excessive heat and/or overheating, be sure to regularly service your car's engine coolant system, which includes visually inspecting the radiator, belts and hoses, and water pump. Keep an eye out for any water or coolant leaks under your car or inside your car's engine compartment; have any leaks checked and fixed as needed. Change your car's engine coolant regularly(at least every 15,000 miles). By keeping your car's coolant system in good working order will go a long way towards safeguarding your car's engine against the hamrful effects of overheating and/or elevated engine operating temperatures!