A 100000 Mile Maintenance Checklist for Your Aging Vehicle

Have you ever been driving down the road and heard that annoying dinging sound coming from your dash?

Yep, that’s your check engine light coming on. And the older your car gets, the more often it’s going to pop up.

But there are ways to keep the dreaded check engine light silent. Regular auto maintenance is the name of the game.

The more you maintain your vehicle, the more miles you’ll get out of it. And the most important maintenance milestone for an older car is the 100k mile tune-up.

Here’s our complete checklist for your 100,000 mile maintenance checkup.

1. Find a good mechanic and check your warranty.

We can’t stress this one enough. If you don’t have a regular mechanic, this is the first thing you should do at the 100k mile mark.

After 100k miles, the systems on your car are more likely to break down. That’s why you’ve got to have a good mechanic ready to take your car if necessary.

Auto repair is not something that everyone can do themselves. Try and find a mechanic that specializes in the type of vehicle you drive.

If you purchased a warranty when you bought your car, it’s time to dig it out. Cars Protection Plus offers a number of warranty options. And your mechanic needs to call them before repairs are done to open a warranty claim.

2. Get your tires checked.

You’ve likely already replaced your tires once or twice before. A good all-season tire from a reputable brand can last you up to 70k miles. That means that you’ll need to get them checked at 100k again.

And tire health is all dependent on the situation. If you live in extreme cold or heat it can affect your tire life.

If you drive over rough terrain, they’ll wear out faster. And if you’re diligent about rotating them, you’ll get more life out of your tires.

But checking your tires at 100k miles is always a good idea.

3. Change out fluids, hoses, and filters.

Fluids are so important to the health of your car. Never neglect an oil or fluid change.

Fluid checks are especially important at 100k miles. Engine oil, transmission fluid, and power steering fluid are the most important ones. But your mechanic can go through the entire list of fluid checks with you.

And while they’re replacing old fluid, make sure they replace old hoses and filters too. These parts go hand in hand with fluid health.

4. Replace your brakes.

This one is obvious. Healthy brakes mean you and your family stay healthy too.

There are three components to brakes: brake calipers, brake pads, and brake rotors. Pads and rotors wear out quicker.

How often you need to replace them depends on how and where you drive. But every 50k miles is a good marker. Or if you hear squealing or squeaking while you drive.

5. Check your battery and spark plugs.

As car batteries age, they lose their ability to hold a charge. You may get 3-5 years of life out of a battery. But you never want to get stranded somewhere with a dead battery.

Also, if your car is having trouble starting and running, you may need new spark plugs. These need replacement every 30k miles.

Pass Your Car’s 100,000 Mile Maintenance Checkup with Flying Colors

Regular maintenance is the key to car health. And the more miles you put on the car, the more maintenance you’ll need.

But in the long run, it’s worth it to keep your car in good working order. Then you know you can trust it to be there for you when you need it.

For more useful tips on how to keep your car running like a champ, check out our auto repair help blog.