Routine Maintenance Tips for Old Vehicles

Routine maintenance is a must for all types of vehicles whether it is a family car, a race car, a utility vehicle, public transportation and so on. However, special attention should be given to old cars, let's say one that is 5 years old and above. Due to wear and tear, you need to check the more intricate aspects of the vehicle not only to identify if there are any problems but most importantly for prevention. Let me share some tips in maintaining old vehicles.

My car is now 16 years old. But with proper maintenance, it is still roadworthy and can definitely handle even long driving hours. But even though I've been driving it for a long time, its mileage is only at 63,000 miles. It's not being used often since we just use it when going to school, office or destinations that are not that far from our home. Occasionally, we take it out for a long drive around 5 times a year. Even so, it has to be given special care.

As with most vehicles, routine tune-up is a must. Engine oil change, replacement of oil filter, cleaning/changing of air filter and spark plug replacement should be done regularly. Our mechanic at a gas station near our place, Lito, told us that it should be done after 3,000 to 5,000 kilometers. It translates to about 2 to 3 months if the vehicle is used everyday such as for public transportation. Doing so will lessen wear and tear and will probably make your vehicle last for many years such as mine.

Now, let's move on to the additional maintenance checks that I suggest you perform on your vehicle. Your brake pads or discs should be checked. If it's worn out, replace it immediately. Check your brake fluid as well and see if there are leaks especially around/behind the wheels.

Ask a machine shop to check your differential gears and the oil as well as your clutch disc and pressure plates. It took us around 7 years before we had to replace the clutch disc. If it is worn out, you'll most likely lose acceleration and top speed, which ultimately leads to lower gas mileage. Include the transmission while you're at it especially if you notice that you're having a more difficult time shifting gears. You may be hearing cranking sounds as you change gears.

Check your tires. The tread of the tires usually have an indicator when it should be replaced. Ask your tire dealer for more information about this since tires are manufactured differently. Also, since you've been using the car for some time, check the wheel balancing, alignment and camber. This should prevent uneven and fast wearing off of your tires.

Check your radiator for leaks. If it has a leak, there's a very high chance that your engine might overheat. Mechanics usually can repair them but sometimes, they need to be replaced. Examine your air-conditioning system. Check the Freon levels and see if there are any blockages or leaks on the tubes. Not only will you feel that your air-conditioning system isn't that cold like before but you'll probably lose Freon quickly. Also, see if your fan belts are loose. They shouldn't be. If so, it might be worn out and you need to replace it. Don't ever wait for it to snap.

Next, check your electrical and ignition system. Batteries usually last for 3 to 5 years depending on the quality. If you are starting to have difficulty in starting up your car, it might be your starter, alternator or the battery itself so have a mechanic, who specializes in a car's electrical system, check it out for you.

Well, those are probably most of the things that you can check if you have an old vehicle. However, if you have a new vehicle, it is advisable to do so as well for prevention. If you're unsure of the things that you need to check on your vehicle, what we usually do is we contact our car dealer and ask for advice. You can have them do it for you if you'd like and if they have a service center. They usually are much more expensive than most of the other shops but at least you'll feel more confident that they can do the maintenance for your old vehicle more effectively.

So there you have it. Even if you have an old car, maintaining it regularly will most certainly make your car last longer and run much smoother. Old cars are more susceptible to mechanical and electrical problems so be more vigilant in keeping it in tip-top shape.

Source:
Lito, mechanic
Shell Gas Station Service Bay
Kalayaan ave., Quezon City