Many people in Ontario are keeping their vehicles longer. The economy has influenced that, but modern vehicles are more durable and reliable, so owning a high mileage vehicle isn't a painful experience.
The reality is that time will take its toll on the engine and transmission. The fuel system will build up more sludge, and the steering and braking systems will have gum and varnish built up. There'll be more dirt and contaminants in the fuel tank and corrosion and deposits forming in the cooling system. Seals and gaskets will also start to dry out over time.
All of this, plus normal wear and tear, means that the engine may not be as strong as new, so it has to work harder to get the job done. Expect the oil filter to get dirty faster. The same goes for the fuel filter. You can expect to see some minor fluid leaks, so you need to keep a close eye on all of the fluid levels.
Even a brand new vehicle's performance will decline if not regularly treated with a fuel system and engine cleaner. Archoil engineered the high-performance AR6400-G Gasoline Fuel System Cleaner to restore and maintain maximum performance and fuel economy in gasoline engines.
Many automobile manufacturers recognize that the detergents levels present in gasoline are not high enough to maintain optimal engine performance. Removing deposits that have built up over time will restore power and fuel economy degraded by deposit formation. Regular use of AR6400-G will help maintain optimum horsepower and fuel economy.
For more information, click here to download the AR6400-G Data Sheet.
Vehicle owners with over 160,000 kilometres on their vehicles often ask which service intervals they should follow. In general, if your owner's manual recommends service every 5,000 kilometres when the car was new, you should continue to get that service done every 5,000 kilometres.
Following recommended service intervals is especially important in a higher mileage vehicle. Skipping or delaying your oil changes and other preventative maintenance services will quickly lead to problems.
Consider high-mileage engine oil formulations for your oil changes and transmission services. These unique oil formulations contain special additives that condition the seals and gaskets to help prevent leaks. They also have more detergents to clean sludge and other carbon deposits. They cost a bit more, but they're worth it.
Using the specialized oil additive with your engine oil, AR9100, is a great way to combat wear and tear and protect your engine. Archoil AR9100 Friction Modifier is suitable for use in all gasoline and diesel engines.
For more information, click here to download the AR9100 Data Sheet.
Have your Service Advisor help you with an assessment of your older car or truck. If you haven't gotten around to a fuel system cleaning or replacing the power steering or brake fluid, a differential service or transmission service – it's time to start taking care of those things. It'll help keep you on the road for many more happy kilometres.