5 smart maintenance steps you can make after your car has driven 100,000 kilometers – Jalopnik

So you’ve finally reached six figures. It’s taken a while – probably years – to get to this point, but it’s still quite an achievement. You should be proud. Unfortunately, we are not talking about your salary, but about the odometer of your car. You have reached the milestone of 160,000 kilometers and your car is still driving faithfully. That’s great, but to keep the good times going, it’s time to take care of some maintenance items and do some checks.

You’ve been doing oil changes and tune-ups all the time, but the regularity of those things is becoming more important now. This means that this is a good time for a thorough adjustment, replacing the filters and spark plugs, and possibly the spark plug cables. Fluids also need to be replaced. That includes transmission and brake fluids, as well as coolant. Also remember to replace the fuel filter and cabin filter. Any belts and hoses that have not yet been replaced probably need replacing: they may be worn, perhaps even brittle or cracked. This is also the time to check your steering components, along with underbody parts like shocks, struts, brakes and wheel alignment.

It won’t take much effort to keep your car running at this point. Nowadays, cars often have years of life left in them after they have driven 100,000 miles. Some cars and trucks are just getting started at that point. But it will gradually take a little more time and expense to keep it running, and a little maintenance goes a long way. Fortunately, if you are a little handy with a key, you can arrange a lot yourself.

Oil changes are especially important at this stage. Should you now switch to the more expensive motor oil with a high mileage? The service center managers and oil manufacturers will tell you to do that (we know, shocking). But not all experts agree. Cenex says this isn’t necessary unless you notice a leak or your engine is rattling. Whatever type of oil you choose, make sure you change it as often as stated in your owner’s manual.

This milestone also requires replacing the spark plugs. Some spark plugs are actually made to last 100,000 miles, which means you may not have replaced them yet. But you want to do it now to avoid misfires and improve your fuel efficiency. It would be smart to replace the air filter as well, although you’ve probably done this a few times already as they don’t last 100,000 miles.

Did you know that your brake fluid also needs to be replaced at some point? Over time, brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air, even in a closed system. That moisture, along with dirt that gradually builds up in the system, disrupts the proper functioning of your brakes, causing that “soft pedal” feeling. A complete brake fluid flush will take care of all this.

Of course, you don’t want to forget your coolant, even if it’s full. The coolant eventually wears out, making it less effective to prevent overheating. You want to protect those head gaskets, so you may also want to have your coolant system flushed. Depending on the coolant, it is even recommended to have it replaced every 30,000 km. You may also consider replacing other fluids if you haven’t already, such as power steering fluid and differential fluid if you have a rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive vehicle. Keep in mind that virtually any fluid in your car will become dirty, wear out and deteriorate. Replacing these fluids can go a long way toward extending the life of your car.

Most gas-powered cars today come equipped with a serpentine or drive belt, which works hard to drive the alternator, A/C compressor, and power steering pump. Normally it needs to be replaced every 60,000 km. That means if you haven’t replaced it yet, it’s too late. If it fails, it will not cause the catastrophic damage that a broken timing belt does. But it will cause a glitch, which can be a major inconvenience depending on where and when it happens. You might as well go for it and just install a new one before the old one breaks.

This is also a good time to replace your hoses if you haven’t already: they become dry, brittle and cracked over time. A coolant hose that leaks can cause overheating and loss of antifreeze. You will also want to check other hoses, such as the power steering hose and especially the fuel hoses and lines, which can leak gas, potentially leading to a fire. Be sure to tighten any hose clamps while you’re at it.

Your steering components should also be inspected at this time. Ball joints, tie rod ends and suspension bearings should all be checked. Worn ball joints and tie rods can make it difficult to steer accurately and cause misalignment, which in turn can cause uneven wear on your tires. All of that can be dangerous, which shows why it’s important to inspect these parts.

Since you are inspecting your suspension anyway, it makes sense to inspect the tires. As we mentioned, uneven tire wear can be a sign of suspension problems. Even though you’ve probably replaced your original tires by now, check the condition of your current tires to make sure they’re still roadworthy. It’s also a good time to check the alignment of your wheels. You might have had your wheels aligned the last time you replaced your tires, but a pothole or nasty bump in the road may have knocked them out of place in the meantime.

While you’re under there, you might as well check your brake pads. This gives you the opportunity to see if they have worn thin before you hear the squeak or if they are starting to affect your braking distance. Rotors can wear thin, become rusted, or warp, so be sure to inspect them.

At this point in your car’s life, it is especially important to prevent rust. Dirt, mud and road salt are notorious for causing rust. Keeping the exterior of your car clean and waxed can help prevent rust from forming. You’re also closer to the day when you have to think about selling your car and moving on to the next one. Keeping the rust away will go a long way in preserving the resale value of your vehicle. Washing your car regularly is the best way to stay on top of this.

Are all these suggestions really necessary? You’ve no doubt heard your friend talk about his cousin’s friend who drove his car 400,000 miles and all he did was change the oil every 4,000 miles. We’ve all heard about that man. We’re not saying your car won’t last much longer if you don’t follow these suggestions, but they will give you the best chance of keeping your car on the road for another 100,000 miles.