More Tips on How to Get 200,000 Miles Out of Your Small Car

As mentioned in a previous article, oil changes and fuel filter changes are key to good maintenance, which is critical for extending the life of your car. What follows are some of the many other maintenance tips.

Change the spark plugs every 15,000 - 20,000 miles or earlier if they become clogged. If you are really enthusiastic, you can buy a tool to measure and adjust the spark plug gap and avoid the $8-$20 expense of new plugs. Engine wear can be detected by checking the plugs. Clogged plugs may indicate engine wear or use of the wrong oil additive or excessive oil level. The plugs and plug wires should be checked if the vehicle is slow to crank.

Change the wires if they are cracked. You can also use a digital multimeter to check the electrical continuity of the wire. If the continuity is bad, replace the wire. Wires should be replaced every 30,000 - 40,000 miles, but sometimes they can be used for longer periods, especially in moderate climates. "If it isn't broken, why fix it" is the applicable rule.

The timing belt should be changed at least every 100,000 miles; many car manuals recommend a change at 50,000 or 60,000 miles. When an old timing belt breaks, it usually destroys the engine, unless the car is idling at the time. Timing belt jobs are costly and involved, but they are worth it because they save the engine. One timing belt job at least can be expected on the way to 200,000 miles.

Never allow a car to overheat because that destroys the engine. Check the radiator fluid and change it if necessary.

Lastly, some miscellaneous tips are in order. Brake fluids, power steering fluids, and radiator fluids should be maintained at their proper level. Air conditioning is an extra load on the motor so it should be used as little as possible. Proper air levels in the tires should be maintained. Premium gas is useful for older cars in cold weather as an adjustment to loss of engine compression. These tips will help you extend the life of your car to 200,000 miles and beyond.

Source: Chilton's Tune-up Manual.