Extend the Life of Your Vehicle

• Regular engine oil and filter replacement is the preventative maintenance service that contributes most to extended vehicle life.
• The timing belt should be replaced in accordance with your vehicle manufacturer's recommendations, generally at 100,000 km intervals. When in doubt, check your owner's manual.
• Proper wheel alignment and balance make tires last longer. Rotate tires every 10,000 km to preserve them (sooner if you frequently drive at high speeds or negotiate tight turns in parking areas).
• Tune-ups should be part of your yearly scheduled maintenance. On most vehicles today, a tune-up includes engine analysis, adjustments and replacement of ignition, fuel and emissions control components. Many vehicles no longer have a distributor cap or rotor. Computers built into the vehicle handle all fuel mixture and idle speed adjustments. Only spark plugs, plug wires and fuel and air filters remain today as components associated with a tune-up.
• If you regularly drive in stop-and-go traffic, you should run your vehicle at highway speed for at least 20 minutes at least once a month. This will heat up the engine and burn off condensation that can attack both the oil and the internal parts of the engine.
• The most important maintenance procedure to keep your vehicle looking good, year after year, is to prevent rust by repairing paint chips and dents as soon as possible after they occur. Keeping your vehicle washed and waxed regularly and having rustproof undercoating applied at least every other year will also help keep your vehicle looking great.
• Run your vehicle's air conditioner for about 5 minutes each month, even during winter, to keep the system well lubricated and to help prevent failures. Run your vehicle’s heater for about 5 - 10 minutes a couple of times during the summer to prevent the air distribution system from sticking or seizing up.

Of course, even if you keep your vehicle in tiptop shape, you may decide that it’s time for a new one. In that case, having a well maintained vehicle, with evidence of routine maintenance and service, will help to increase your vehicle’s trade-in or resale value.