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CAR SERVICE CHOICES
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Get Tips On How To Get Most Mileage Out Of Vehicle
Vehicles Can Last Beyond 200,000
POSTED: 12:04 pm EDT May 19,
2009
UPDATED: 7:01 pm EDT May 19,
2009
CLEVELAND -- With money tight, many drivers are trying to make their cars last a little longer. They may not be so quick to trade-in their cars every few years. There are things you can do to make your car last longer. 
Extend Car Life With Simple Maintenance Ed Witt with Spitzer Chrysler-Jeep has worked on cars for decades.At Spitzer, he's seeing more and more drivers holding on to the wheel."People are re-investing in their cars and keeping them on the road a little longer," Witt said.He said the first place to check is under the hood.The serpentine belt is a small part that can cause big trouble. "If the belt breaks, your engine will overheat and cause catastrophic repair, major engine failure," Witt said. He suggested synthetic oils to keep your car longer. Synthetic oil, will cost you about $10 more when you get your oil changed, but Witt said will prolong the life of the car, especially with our weather."The oil is crude oil, but it's the additives that lets it flows through all temperature ranges," Witt said.If your car was built in 2003 or after, Witt said you just don't need to change the oil every 3,000 miles anymore. Newer cars can go 6,000 miles because they're running cleaner. Don't forget about brake, transmission and differential fluid though.If those areas of your car have problems, the cost to repair can really be expensive. So make sure you follow the recommendations of the manufacturer. Also, replace belts and radiator hoses before they break. Change your filter and check your battery terminals for corrosion and consider taking your car to a certified technician. "It doesn't have to be every time but you want those trained eyes and experience under your car," he said.A technician at a dealer will know of recalls, and updates and when your engine does reach 200,000 miles, remember you don't want it to look like it.That means you may want to take a break from the car wash once in a while and wash it by hand to look for signs of rust. Witt said that way you can see something small before it gets out of hand. A small spot can be touched up for $20 but an entire panel will cost hundreds. Just like when you're on the road, you have to pay attention to warning signs and handle them immediately. That's the key to keeping the keys in the ignition for miles to come.Related StoryWhy Do Mechanics Cost So Much?
Extend Car Life With Simple Maintenance Ed Witt with Spitzer Chrysler-Jeep has worked on cars for decades.At Spitzer, he's seeing more and more drivers holding on to the wheel."People are re-investing in their cars and keeping them on the road a little longer," Witt said.He said the first place to check is under the hood.The serpentine belt is a small part that can cause big trouble. "If the belt breaks, your engine will overheat and cause catastrophic repair, major engine failure," Witt said. He suggested synthetic oils to keep your car longer. Synthetic oil, will cost you about $10 more when you get your oil changed, but Witt said will prolong the life of the car, especially with our weather."The oil is crude oil, but it's the additives that lets it flows through all temperature ranges," Witt said.If your car was built in 2003 or after, Witt said you just don't need to change the oil every 3,000 miles anymore. Newer cars can go 6,000 miles because they're running cleaner. Don't forget about brake, transmission and differential fluid though.If those areas of your car have problems, the cost to repair can really be expensive. So make sure you follow the recommendations of the manufacturer. Also, replace belts and radiator hoses before they break. Change your filter and check your battery terminals for corrosion and consider taking your car to a certified technician. "It doesn't have to be every time but you want those trained eyes and experience under your car," he said.A technician at a dealer will know of recalls, and updates and when your engine does reach 200,000 miles, remember you don't want it to look like it.That means you may want to take a break from the car wash once in a while and wash it by hand to look for signs of rust. Witt said that way you can see something small before it gets out of hand. A small spot can be touched up for $20 but an entire panel will cost hundreds. Just like when you're on the road, you have to pay attention to warning signs and handle them immediately. That's the key to keeping the keys in the ignition for miles to come.Related StoryWhy Do Mechanics Cost So Much?Copyright 2009 by NewsNet5. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
