Maintenance Tips for High-Mileage Cars

(ARA) - Whether driving south to see wildflowers or north to lush forests, travelers need to ensure their vehicles are in top shape before hitting the highway.

Seasonal maintenance is important regardless of your vehicle's age or mileage. But for the 68 percent of vehicles on the road with more than 75,000 miles -- generally considered "high mileage" -- following a schedule of regular preventive maintenance is especially critical. As a vehicle's engine ages, its performance decreases and oil starts to break down at a faster rate. Over time, seals begin to deteriorate, gaskets become brittle and oil consumption increases -- all leading to a reduction in engine performance.

When performed consistently, the following seasonal maintenance tips can help a high-mileage vehicle run like it did when it was young. Using premium motor oil specially formulated for higher-mileage cars -- such as Castrol GTX High Mileage Formulation -- will also help higher-mileage cars feel young again.

Change oil

The change of season is a great reminder that it's time to change your oil. Think of your engine as the heart of your car and motor oil as the lifeblood of the engine. One can't function without the other. GTX High Mileage is formulated with special base oils to guard against oil burn-off. Proprietary additives and inhibitors defend against engine wear and control harmful engine deposits such as sludge, varnish and other corrosive agents. Reduced deposit formation in higher-mileage vehicles minimizes compression loss and maximizes engine performance.

Cool off

Warm weather can wreak havoc on a high-mileage vehicle's cooling and electrical systems. As part of a seasonal maintenance routine, check the coolant level or the antifreeze/water mixture in the vehicle's radiator. Have the cooling system tested and flushed. Inspect hoses and clamps for wear and replace if necessary.

Check the vehicle's brake, windshield, transmission and battery fluids and top them off as necessary. Many mechanics will perform this check during an oil-change service.

Get a clear view

Don't let rainy days cloud your driving pleasure. Closely inspect your vehicle's windshield wiper blades. If the rubber is ragged or brittle, replace them. Wiper blades usually need to be changed at least once a year. Make sure you have plenty of windshield solvent, too.

To increase wet weather visibility, spray a rain repellent such as Castrol SuperClean AccuVision on your windshield and wipe dry. AccuVision takes only a minute to apply and can increase visibility by up to 40 percent.

Align and balance

If you plan long road trips, your car care should include an alignment check as well as balancing tires. Additionally, be sure to check tire pressure monthly and rotate tires every 6,000 miles.

Routine car maintenance doesn't have to be a pain; just use the new season as a reminder. For more tips to care for a higher-mileage vehicle in summer, fall, winter or spring, visit www.castrolusa.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content