
If you have a car with more than 75,000 miles on it, you might think of it as a high-mileage vehicle. Once it reaches 100,000 miles, you can most certainly classify it as such.
With the cost of new vehicles skyrocketing daily, many people try to hold on to their high-mileage cars as long as possible. Therefore, you might have the same goals in mind to prolong having to purchase a new vehicle. These are some tips if you need to know how to make a high mileage car run like new.
Outsource Long-Distance Trips to Other Vehicles
Outsourcing your long-distance trips can help you learn how to make a high mileage car run like new. In other words, you’ll need to spare your high-mileage car from the additional miles when you need to take long-distance trips. You can accomplish this using an array of methods, such as:
Hiring a Long Distance Mover
You don’t have to run your high-mileage car when you move to a place far away. Long-distance moving companies can handle everything for you. They can contribute to the packing, loading, and transporting all your personal items safely and securely. All you’ll need to do is pay the fees and be available when they’re ready to move your home or office.
Have Your Car Towed
A towing service can also help you if you have to make a long-distance move. You can call a tower and have them carry your vehicle to your new home so you don’t have to put wear and tear on your existing car. Some towers have excellent flat rates for long-distance towing services. Check your local listings or search engine for providers in your area and choose the company that seems the most reasonable with the pricing.
Ride With Others
Carpooling is another way to learn how to make a high mileage car run like new. You can share the cost of going back and forth to work with other individuals and let someone else use their car to get you there. Every trip you make by carpooling is a trip you don’t have to take with your high-mileage car.
Take Public Transportation
If you’re lucky enough to live in an area with public transportation, you can always jump on the next bus or train to get to long-distance destinations. Again, it will allow you to spare your high-mileage vehicle and reduce usage.
Rent a Car
Car rentals can be loads of fun, and they can also help you to preserve your car. All you need to rent a car is identification, proof of residence, and enough money on your credit or debit card for a security hold. You can use the rental car to get where you need to go and then return it to them when you’re finished.
Keep an Eye on the Warning Signs
Another tip for how to make a high mileage car run like new is to pay close attention to the warning signs. Your car will let you know if something is wrong with the engine, transmission, or any electrical components by displaying the following warning signs:
The ‘check engine’ light will illuminate because of a number of issues. It can turn on when your gas cap isn’t tight or secure. You might also see the light come on when it’s time to change your air filter. In rare cases, the ‘check engine’ light will indicate a severe issue you must address immediately.
Hard Shifting or No Shifting
Your car will also let you know if it needs an auto transmission fix by displaying numerous symptoms. For example, you may notice that your transmission doesn’t shift when it’s supposed to. You might also experience hard shifting, which should never happen. Those symptoms could indicate that you need a transmission fluid top-off. However, they could also mean you must take your car to a transmission specialist for repairs.
Overheating
Your car most likely has a temperature gauge on it that will let you see if it’s overheating. The best way to preserve your engine is to pull over and stop driving the automobile immediately if the gauge rises above the half mark. You might need a new thermostat or water pump. Alternatively, you could be out of antifreeze. Either way, you shouldn’t drive the vehicle until you find the root of the problem and fix it.
Rough Riding
Loss of power and stalling are warning signs of an existing problem. The issue may be anything from bad spark plugs to fuel pumps, injectors, or throttle body issues.
Starting Issues
Starting problems can be caused by your starting or charging systems. They can also occur because of failure within the computerized components of your car.
If you want to know how to make your high mileage car run like new, you must take care of these issues the moment you notice them. Take your vehicle to a mechanic ASAP to diagnose it so they can fix the problem. Furthermore, ensure that you read your owner’s manual and follow any instructions it might have regarding maintenance work.
Prevent Damage From Worsening
Keeping your exhaust and exterior in good condition is also necessary if you want to know how to make your high mileage vehicle run like new. You can protect the paint on your car by contacting a body shop and having them add special sealants or coatings to the exterior.
You can also take the initiative and buy wax for your car that you can apply when you wash it. Doing both of those things will enable you to keep your exterior beautiful and free of blemishes. You can find auto paint protection companies in your locale by searching the internet or phone book. Word-of-mouth research works well, too.
Your exhaust is another important component of your car that you will need to give special attention to. It will be in your best interest to find the number of a reliable company that can give you auto exhaust repair service. Your exhaust system eliminates harmful fumes and gases from your engine. When it isn’t functioning properly, it can affect the air outside and also cause our vehicle to run poorly. Thus, you’ll need to fix issues such as rust and holes as soon as possible.
Maintain the Space Your Car Resides In
You may not have thought of this, but you also need to keep the area around your car clean and well-maintained. That means you should take extra steps to ensure that your garage and driveway are clear of things that could damage your car. These are some tips for maintaining the space around your vehicle:
Take Care of Your Driveway
Having a poorly conditioned driveway can affect your car’s tires. You can extend the life of those tires by calling driveway sealcoating companies to fix cracks, potholes, and other imperfections. You’ll have less risk of harming your tires if you ensure your driveway has a smooth surface.
Remove Debris From the Garage
When parking your car in the garage, it’s crucial that you remove any items that might fall on the car and cause damage. Ensure that everything on the shelving is placed in a way that it cannot tumble on top of the vehicle. Make sure there’s enough space in there to park the car comfortably so that the doors don’t hit anything when getting in and out. Keep the garage temperate ambient so your battery stays healthy if you have to park it for a long time.
Call Tree Service Contractors
You’ll also need a residential roofing contractor and a tree service provider to remove hazards. A sickly and aging tree may fall or lose branches that eventually drop on your car. Loose roofing material can also damage your car if it falls while the car is parked outside in the driveway. You can stay three steps ahead of such problems by immediately getting the right providers on your contact list.
Get a Pest Removal Service
Pests can also cause problems for your vehicle. Some of the most common pests are rats, squirrels, skunks, and possums. A good pest control company or wildlife removal service can help if you find that any of those creatures are nesting under your hood.
Get Your Fuel Brought Right to You
Do you want to know how to make a high mileage vehicle run like new? One good way is to ensure you put brand-new fuel in it and keep your fuel level nearly full at all times. You can take advantage of some helpful services to make that happen.
Most roadside assistance programs offer motor fuel delivery services to their clients. You can contact them if you run out of fuel while on the road or feel like your car needs more gas to make it to the nearest gas station without damaging the fuel pump.
A provider will bring the gas right to your doorstep or wherever you are on the road and put it in your tank. This person will give you enough gas to make it to the fuel station, where you can fill your car properly.
Another option is to purchase a gas tank for yourself. You can buy one at a parts store or variety department store. That way, you’ll have something to carry to the gas station if you have to walk there to get extra fuel. You can also give the tank to a buddy or family member who can visit the fuel station and fill it up for you. It’s an inexpensive way to learn how to make your high mileage vehicle run like new.
Use High-Mileage Motor Oil
Another thing you should do if you want to know how to make a high mileage car run like new is to invest in high-mileage oil. Getting timely oil changes is a huge part of keeping any vehicle running beautifully. However, you also need to know which type of oil you put in your car. High-mileage oil is an excellent option for any vehicle with more than 75,000 miles. Thus, you should ask your mechanic to use this type of oil for your next oil change.
What makes high-mileage oil a great choice is that some of it contains special additives that swell your engine seals. The swelling will stop your seals from leaking and prolong your car’s functionality.
Add Some Modifications
Adding modifications can teach you how to make a high mileage car run like new. For example, a performance muffler might help your engine breathe easier, allowing you to drive faster. Performance tires can grip the road better when cornering or operating the car at high speeds. Sometimes, just changing an air filter can help with performance, too.
Follow Manufacturer Recommendations
Your owner’s manual is the most important material you need for your car. It explains all of your vehicle’s features and how they work. It also lets you know when you need to perform maintenance tasks on the cars. Knowing which maintenance tasks you need and when to get them is the way you’ll know how to make a high mileage car run like new.
Oil changes, filter replacements, tune-ups, and spark plug replacements are examples of maintenance tasks you’ll need to do to keep the engine running strong. Tire-related tasks are other maintenance tasks in the owner’s manual. They include wheel alignments, tire rotations, and tire balancing. Those three services are great for extending the time you can have the same tires on your car without any issues. They ensure that all your tires wear evenly, thus giving you more time before you need to buy new tires.
The suspension system is just as important as the engine when you want your car to run like new. For example, a simple tire balancing procedure can make your ride smooth and allow you to go many more miles than you expected.
Now you know how to make a high mileage car run like new. Try the tips mentioned above to ensure that you keep your car for yourself and your family as long as possible. You’ll also come up with new ideas by listening to advice from mechanics and car owners in your life.