by Kaeli Gardner
VehicleMD Contributing Writer
Originally published in Winter 2011 Issue

What kind of driver are you? Are you in a new car every few years, or do you drive your current chariot until the wheels fall off? It's no secret that a car is an investment that is losing value every time you turn the key in the ignition, so if you're a 100K-plus driver, you're certainly not alone. In fact, a whopping 68 percent of drivers say they plan on driving their car 150,000 miles or more.

My last car, a charming 1993 Ford Tempo—which I'd been proudly driving since high school, thank-you-very-much—had nearly 200,000 miles on its odometer (a five-digit odometer, no less; far more than it was intended to be driven, probably) when I finally retired it in 2005. My current car? I'm not sure—the temptation to get into a fresh vehicle is certainly a strong one, but the allure of driving without a car payment is strong indeed, especially now. Couple that with my tendency to get emotionally attached to inanimate objects and I'll probably take this one well into the hundred thousands as well.

For those of you who are like me, here are some tips for prolonging your ride's life well into its "golden years."

Don't Neglect Service
You didn't get to 100,000 miles by putting off those service visits, so don't start now! Higher mileage vehicles need service more than ever. Keep up with those oil changes as recommended in your manual, every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, and keep an eye on other parts as well, particularly brakes and tires.

Take it Easy!
Did you know that the difference between driving 50mph and 70mph means your car is working twice as hard? It's true—I won't bore you with the math, but in order to overcome drag caused by wind, the energy required to move at 70 is twice what's required at 50. Taking your commutes a little more slowly will give you better gas mileage, reduce wear on your brakes from slowing and stopping, and of course, prolong the life of your engine.

Tend to Your Tires
Keeping your tires rotated, inflated and properly maintained is essential to the life of your car, whatever the mileage, and as your vehicle ages the way your tires wear may change too. If your tires start to wear unevenly or if you feel the car shake, shimmy or pull to one side while you drive you probably have some balance or alignment issues to look into.

Properly inflated tires mean good gas mileage and that means less work for an aging engine, too, so see that they're inflated to the specs on the inside of the driver's side door, and remember to prolong the life of your tires by rotating and balancing every other oil change.

It's All in the Timing
If your car has a timing belt, you'll want to replace it at the recommended time (60,000 miles for many models—check your owners manual to be certain). An aging belt can cause engine problems, and a damaged one can leave you marooned— or worse, cause serious damage to your engine.

Lookin' Sharp!
Finally, don't neglect the looks of your car. You'll want to make sure you give the outside of your car as much TLC as you give to the moving parts under the surface. Of course, this is about more than just looking good—washing and waxing don't just preserve your shining finish, they help keep rust at bay, and that is good for everything under the surface, too.

By following these tips, your owners manual's instructions, and talking with your trusted service technician, you and your car could have a brilliant future together. So keep one eye on the service lane, and enjoy those golden years together!

KAELI GARDNER lives in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains of Tennessee where she works as a writer, artist and web marketing manager for Ask Patty, helping to empower women nationwide to take control of their own vehicle repair. You can read more of her wisdom and wit at the AskPatty.com blog.