One of the best things you can do for your wallet is make your current car last longer. Squeezing more miles and additional years out of the vehicle you already own means more time without a car payment, which in turn means more money in your pocket.
It was not so long ago that many vehicles were at the end of their useful life by the time their odometers clicked over to six digits. These days, however, it is not at all unusual for a well-maintained vehicle to go not only 100,000, but 200,000 miles or more. If you want to squeeze more life out of your current vehicle and enjoy more years of trouble-free operation, here are four things you can do starting today.
1. Follow the Recommended Maintenance Schedule for Your Vehicle
Get out your owner’s manual and actually read it. Check the recommended replacement intervals for everything on your car, from the oil filter to the transmission fluid. Follow those recommended maintenance intervals exactly, and make sure you check the fluid levels between trips to the service bay.
As your car gets older and racks up more miles, consider replacing (or at least checking) items that are not on the list but are likely to break or go bad. Check the charging level on the battery, assess the quality of the coolant and other fluids and be as proactive as possible when caring for your car.
2. Check for Leaks
One of the best things you can do to extend the life of your car and avoid unexpected breakdowns is to check for fluid leaks. A small oil leak can go unnoticed for months, and you may not know anything is wrong until the oil, and the protection it provides, is far too low.
If you park your car in the garage at night, lay down a mat or old blanket before you pull in. When you pull out in the morning, take a minute to check the mat for leaking fluid. A little bit of water leaking out of the air conditioner is normal, but a trail of oil or transmission fluid definitely is not.
3. Avoid Short Trips
Short trips are your engine’s biggest enemy, so arrange your travel to avoid them as much as possible. Starting your car and then shutting it down before it has had a chance to get up to temperature is hard on the engine and other systems, so at least drive far enough to warm up the vehicle.
If you are doing some shopping in an outdoor mall or plaza and hitting a bunch of stores, consider parking in a central location and walking from store to store. That simple step can extend the life of your engine and give you some extra exercise in the process.
4. Have Your Car Inspected
You probably have your car inspected at least once a year to comply with legal requirements, but that safety check may not be enough. If your car has passed the 100,000 mile mark, it is a good idea to give it a thorough once-over when annual inspection time rolls around.
Ask the mechanic inspecting your car to check the fluid levels, the conditions of the filters and other systems during the annual safety assessment. Taking a proactive approach is the best way to detect problems early and avoid unexpected breakdowns.
If you want your limited dollars to go further, it makes sense to start with your largest expenses. For most people, the monthly car payment is second in size only to the home mortgage, and squeezing more life out of your current car can relieve you of that high payment let you drive debt free.
5. Replace your engine or transmission
Instead of sending your car to the junk yard when it has a catastrophic engine or transmission failure, save money and extend your car’s life by replacing the engine or transmission. Many people do not realize that it is very cost effective to purchase a replacement engine and/or transmission and have it installed by a reputable local mechanic. At Powertrain Direct, we offer a variety of powertrain replacement parts to fit every possible budget:
Replacement Engines
New Engines
Crate Engines
Rebuilt Engines
Remanufactured Engines
Reconditioned Engines
Refurbished Engines
Used Engines
Salvage Engines
Diesel Engines
Replacement Transmissions
New Transmissions
Remanufactured Transmissions
Rebuilt Transmissions
Used Transmissions
We stock many makes and model of both engines and transmissions including the most popular auto makers, such as:
• Acura
• Buick
• Cadillac
• Chevy
• Chevrolet
• Chrysler
• Daewoo
• Dodge
• Eagle
• GM
• Geo
• Honda
• Infiniti
• Isuzu
• Jeep
• Land Rover
• Lexus
• Mazda
• Mercedes Benz
• Mitsubishi
• Nissan
• Plymouth
• Pontiac
• Porsche
• Ram
• Saab
• Scion
• Subaru
• Suzuki
• Toyota
• Volkswagen
• Volvo
And popular diesel engines and transmissions for:
• Chevy Duramax
• Cummins Turbo Diesel
• Ford Powerstroke
Most of our engines are available as long block engines and we have a full line of automatic transmissions and manual transmissions too. Plus, all of our replacement engines and transmissions come with industry leading powertrain warranties as well. And if you need a transfer case or a differential (front or rear) or other rear end parts, we are the experts to rely on. Call us today and talk to one of our powertrain specialists. We’ll get you back on the road!