Auto Maintenance

Less than 11% of car owners plan to limit mileage on their primary vehicle to fewer than 75k miles, with the vast majority (68%) planning to drive that vehicle for 150k miles or more, according to a recent AutoMD.com survey(1). Meanwhile, strained new vehicle inventory and a challenging economy have inspired more and more consumers to turn to used vehicles, which all adds up to a lot of older metal driving up and down our highways.

So, what should owners of these increasingly aged, high-mileage vehicles do to make sure those vehicles continue to run smoothly and last longer? And, for those jumping into the used market, what should they look for BEFORE they purchase to make sure that high-miler will give them plenty more miles? Read more

Changing antifreeze regularly is a vital part of preventative maintenance and keeps vehicles performing at optimal levels. To avoid engine problems, including freeze-ups and overheating, the experts at Prestone Products offer these easy steps to help make the annual antifreeze flush and fill a safe, uncomplicated do-it-yourself project.

1. Park your car in a safe area. Make sure pets are secured safely and no children are in the area. Be sure to check your owner's manual for any special cooling system service instructions. Begin with the engine cold and the ignition off. If you change coolant when the engine is hot, you risk burns from the hot coolant and engine.

2. Drain your radiator to remove loose rust and sediment. Open the radiator drain valve and drain the used antifreeze/coolant into a bucket large enough to catch the flow (typically, a two-gallon bucket is sufficient). Close the drain valve. Read more