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How to Extend the Life of Your Car: 3 DIY Checks That Save Money

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If you drive an older car, truck, Jeep, or SUV and want to keep it running longer, start with the basics.

These three DIY checks help you catch common problems before they turn into bigger repair bills.

You can do them at home, in the garage, in the driveway, or before a road trip with basic tools and common sense.

Keeping a vehicle longer is usually cheaper than replacing it, but only if you stay ahead of the parts that wear out first. Most expensive problems do not start as major repairs. They start as low oil, low tire pressure, uneven tire wear, a weak battery, or a small leak that gets ignored.

Here are three simple checks that can help extend the life of your car and save money.

1. Check Oil and Fluids

Oil is the first place to start because it protects the engine.

If the oil level gets too low or you go too long between oil changes, you can shorten engine life fast. Do not wait for the oil light to come on. By then, you may already have a serious problem.

Check your engine oil regularly and follow the oil-change schedule recommended for your vehicle.

The basic process is simple:

• Park on level ground.
• Turn the engine off and let it sit as recommended by your owner’s manual.
• Pull the dipstick.
• Wipe it clean.
• Reinsert it fully.
• Pull it again and check the level.
• Use the correct oil if you need to top it off.

For step-by-step instructions, AAA has a simple guide on how to check your oil.

Do not stop with engine oil. Check the other fluids you can safely inspect on your vehicle:

• Coolant
• Brake fluid
• Power steering fluid, if applicable
• Transmission fluid, if your vehicle has a serviceable dipstick
• Washer fluid

Also look under the vehicle for fresh drips or stains.

A small leak caught early is usually cheaper than a failed engine, transmission, cooling system, or brake system.

Keep it simple:

• Check the level.
• Check for leaks.
• Use the correct fluid.
• Follow the maintenance schedule.

 

2. Check Battery, Terminals, and Starting Problems

A weak battery can leave you stranded, but it usually gives warning signs first.

Check the battery and terminals before the vehicle will not start.

Look for:

• White, blue, or green corrosion on the battery terminals
• Loose battery cables
• Cracked or damaged cable ends
• Slow cranking
• Dim lights when starting
• Warning lights on the dash
• A battery that is several years old

Battery corrosion can interfere with electrical flow.

Loose terminals can cause starting problems that look worse than they are.

If you see corrosion, clean it properly and make sure the connections are tight. NAPA has a practical guide on how to clean car battery terminals.

A basic battery-terminal check can save you from chasing the wrong problem.

If the vehicle cranks slowly, do not wait until it leaves you stuck somewhere.

Check the battery.

Check the terminals.

Check the cables.

Have the battery and charging system tested if needed.

 

3. Check Tires, Tire Pressure, and Tire Wear

Tires are one of the easiest places to spot trouble before it gets expensive.

Start with tire pressure.

Use the pressure listed on the vehicle door sticker or owner’s manual. Do not use the maximum pressure printed on the sidewall of the tire as your normal setting.

Check tire pressure when the tires are cold. Also check the spare if your vehicle has one.

Then look at the tire wear.

Do not just check tread depth in the middle. Look across the whole tire.

Check for:

• Inside edge wear
• Outside edge wear
• Feathered tread
• Cupping
• One tire wearing faster than the others
• Uneven wear from side to side

Wrong tire pressure can shorten tire life and affect handling.

Uneven tire wear usually means something else is going on. It may be tire pressure. It may be worn suspension parts. It may be loose steering parts. It may be alignment.

For more detail, read our guide on the most common reasons for uneven tire wear.

If tire pressure is correct but the vehicle still pulls, wanders, wears tires unevenly, or leaves the steering wheel off center, check toe alignment.

Toe is the direction the front tires point compared to each other.

If the tires point too far inward or outward, they scrub against the road instead of rolling straight.

Bad toe can cause:

• Fast tire wear
• Feathered tread
• Vehicle pull or drift
• Steering wheel off center
• Unstable steering feel

If you replace tie rods, adjust steering parts, install suspension parts, or change ride height, toe should be checked.

The QuickTrick Toe Alignment Kit gives DIY owners a way to check toe at home instead of guessing.

Pay Attention to What the Vehicle Is Telling You

Oil, tires, and battery are the big three checks, but do not ignore how the vehicle feels.

Watch for:

• Vehicle pulling left or right
• Steering wheel off center
• Uneven tire wear
• Brake vibration
• Grinding or squealing brakes
• Loose steering feel
• Clunking over bumps

These symptoms can point to worn parts, brake problems, tire problems, or alignment problems.

Do not guess.

Inspect the vehicle.

Fix worn parts first.

Then check alignment if the tires are wearing wrong or the steering does not feel right.

If you are planning suspension work, use this Suspension Kit Upgrade Checklist before, during, and after the install.

## Before a Road Trip, Check More Than Fuel

A road trip is not the time to find out your oil is low, your tires are wearing wrong, or your battery is weak.

Before a longer drive, check:

• Oil level
• Coolant level
• Tire pressure
• Tire wear
• Battery terminals
• Brake feel
• Steering pull or drift

If something already feels wrong around town, it will not get better on the highway.

Use our Summer Road Trip Checklist before you hit the road.

## Bottom Line

If you want to extend the life of your car, truck, Jeep, or SUV, start with the basics.

Check oil and fluids.

Check tire pressure and tire wear.

Check the battery and terminals.

Then pay attention to what the vehicle is telling you.

If the tires are wearing unevenly, the steering wheel is off center, or the vehicle pulls after repairs, check toe before it costs you another set of tires.

A few minutes of inspection can save money, prevent repeat work, and help keep your vehicle on the road longer.
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