Maintenance Tips For High Mileage Cars Dothan, AL

Maintenance Tips for High Mileage Cars near Dothan, AL
Our Gilland Ford team is here to help if you’ve got any questions about how to maximize the lifespan of your aging Ford model. There are definitely some pointers that are worth knowing that can make a considerable difference, so continue reading through the sections below to see our top recommendations for maintenance!
Oil Changes
Typically, a high-mileage car is one that has accumulated 80,000 or more miles on the road, so if that describes your vehicle accurately, then now is the time to start giving more careful thought to how you maintain it. As a first step, oil changes are a great place to begin. Every car engine requires the right amount of oil to remain functional and effective, and this is even more important to a vehicle that’s older and has a more delicate engine as a result. For example, rather than getting your car’s oil changed every 10,000 miles, it can be more effective to have this service done every 5,000 miles. While you might not notice any direct impact on its performance amidst your travels in Dothan, know that taking this approach to its oil changes will greatly decrease the likelihood of engine overheating and other problems that could potentially arise.
Transmission and Brake Fluid
When it comes to the systems that handle your car’s ability to slow down and accelerate, it’s important to remember that much like the engine, they also have their own respective liquids that need to be maintained. For the brake fluid, you can typically drive your vehicle for roughly 30,000 miles before changing it becomes necessary, whereas transmission fluid can last for up to 60,000 miles. However, do keep in mind that this greatly varies depending on how frequently you drive your car, and if it’s a high-mileage vehicle, then you’re going to want to lower those service timelines to stay out of the danger zone as much as possible. Luckily, our Service Department can work with you directly to determine what type of plan will be most effective for your specific Ford Expedition, Bronco, or F-150.
Battery Care
Among the myriad of issues that older cars can have, battery trouble is one of the most common. Be it a total failure that prevents your vehicle from igniting its engine, or headlights that appear more dim than usual at night, there are a number of different telltale signs of battery care being needed. You’ll normally get around three to five years out of a battery before it starts to reach the end of its lifespan, so try to remember when the one inside your vehicle was installed, and use that as a point of reference to know when it’ll be time to get it changed. And before your next trip to Eastgate Park, you can also take a moment to pop the hood of your car and inspect the battery for any swelling or corrosion on the casing. However, if everything looks good, then you can keep enjoying your cruise down Route 53 until it’s for your next scheduled service appointment!
