Mechanics suggest several maintenance steps to ensure a car will remain in perfect condition for as long as possible.
Bobbie Raffety of Campus Car Care said the most important action to take to keeping a car running strong is regular oil changes. Oil keeps the moving parts in the engine lubricated and prevents friction building up and overheating the engine.
According to cars.com, “Changing your vehicle’s oil is one of the most important things you can do to avoid bringing large bags of money to your mechanic later on.”
While how often a car’s oil should be changed varies from model to model, cars.com recommends having the oil and oil filter changed every 5,000 miles.
Raffety said while most people do not do it, the engine’s air filter should be cleaned every 8,000 to 10,000 miles and more often if the car is driven on dirt or gravel roads.
She said if the air filter were clogged, the engine would be less fuel-efficient. The air filter is located near the engine block. If the filter is so clogged it cannot be seen through, Raffety said it needs to be changed.
“[If the] engine can’t breathe, the engine will use more gas,” Raffety said.Keeping your vehicle healthy: