![]() Leave the car in park with engine running check the fluid and add the appropriate type (consult owner’s manual) if it’s low. ![]() Check every 3 months or 3,000 milesĪttend to the following items every three months or every 3,000 miles: Automatic transmission fluid Never fill the wiper fluid reservoir with plain water. Follow instructions on the wiper fluid bottle like coolant, it may need to be diluted. Windshield wiper fluidĬheck the level and top off if needed. If it’s concentrated, mix it 50/50 with distilled water before adding. When adding coolant, read the bottle carefully – if it’s “premixed” coolant, pour it right in. Coolant/antifreezeĬheck the level at the reservoir, and never open a hot radiator cap. ![]() The difference between the “low” and “full” markings on the dipstick is usually one quart. Keep a bottle of oil (check owner’s manual for grade and weight) in your car’s trunk for topping off. It doesn’t hurt to check the oil level every time you fill up. Check monthlyĪttend to the following items below on a monthly basis: Engine oil Be proactive – wiper blades are relatively inexpensive and driving with reduced visibility endangers everyone. Replace wiper blades that aren’t doing their job due to damage or wear. Driving with one headlight is unsafe and can get you a ticket. If that’s not the problem, replace the light immediately. If a light goes out, check for a blown fuse. If this light comes on, check the tire pressure immediately, top off the air in the tire(s) as needed, and investigate possible leaks. Keep in mind, service indicators vary by vehicle, so be sure to check your owner’s manual for specific details and instructions. If it’s flashing, you may need to get to a service shop immediately. If this light is constant, get the car checked as soon as you can. The check engine light indicates your electronic control system has run into a problem it can’t fix. ![]() New spark plugs could be needed as well.Attend to as soon as possible if your car is experiencing the following: Check engine light You can have it tested to see how much life it has left, but remember that it’s better to be safe than sorry, especially on a cold January morning. If your battery was never changed at this point, it’s probably the right time to do it. What else? Well, a car’s 12-volt battery typically has a five-year lifespan. Also, if you never replaced your brake discs and pads past 100,000 km, prepare for that too. Speaking of wheels, are the tires mounted on them still the originals? If so, you are due for new ones. You’ll probably need to replace a few shock absorbers and have a wheel alignment performed. A drive belt failure, for example, can create serious problems and a hefty bill.Ī thorough inspection of the suspension is also recommended at this stage because your vehicle has already seen its fair share of potholes and bumps. And don’t forget to replace the filters too.Īfter 100,000 km, most belts reach a critical state or wear, that’s why you should check them and replace them sooner than later. By choosing quality fluids, you will help extend the mechanical components’ life. The inescapable oil change is the first thing that comes to mind, not only for the engine, but also for the transmission, the brakes and, if you have an all-wheel drive, the differentials and the transfer case. Now, what maintenance work should we do when hitting the 100,000 km mark? The answer depends on the type of vehicle and engine you have, and on how you use it, but let’s try to cover the basics. What do we mean by “high mileage”? We all have a different view of it, but most people agree that it begins in the six figures. But if you choose to keep yours for a long time, it will inevitably reach a high mileage. With more and more people working from home and the high fuel prices, we don’t use our vehicles the way we used to. Many people wonder if they should sell their car or maintain it to make it last longer, and it’s understandable given the significant increase in used cars' values since the pandemic.
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