There are more older cars on the road than ever. Here’s how to keep yours running

Regular auto maintenance can help you rack up 200,000 miles or more.

As a testament to both how well today’s cars and trucks built and how expensive new models have become, owners are holding onto their rides for longer than ever. According to the research firm HIS Markit in Southfield, Mich., the average vehicle on the road is 11.8 years old. That’s up from 9.6 years back in 2002 when the company first began tracking this statistic.

Proper maintenance is the key to keeping a vehicle running for many years down the road. The easiest way to do this is to follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule and take your vehicle into a dealership’s service department for regular service. It’s also crucial to perform routine service checks and tasks on an ongoing basis. Here are a few basic self-help tips to help ensure your ride is operating properly at all times:

1. Attend to fluids. Check your vehicle’s oil level weekly. With the engine turned off, remove the dipstick (it’s usually at the front of the engine and should be clearly marked), wipe it dry with a rag or paper towel, insert it, and remove it once more to check the level. Add a quart of oil via the filling point if the level is at or below the “fill” or “low” line on the dipstick. Have the oil and oil filter changed at least twice a year. Likewise, Inspect the levels of your car’s engine coolant, and brake, power steering and transmission fluids periodically, top them off as necessary, and have them changed according to the automaker’s recommended schedule. See a technician if any of them are habitually low.

2. Tend to tires. Check the air pressure in the tires weekly, and only when the tires are cold (before driving), using a good-quality tire-pressure gauge. Keep them inflated to the maximum pressure recommended in the owner’s manual. Check the tread depth periodically by placing a penny head first into the tread; if any part of Lincoln’s head is visible it’s time for new tires. Have them rotated once a year, or sooner if they begin to show signs of uneven wear 3. Find the filter. A clogged or dirty air filter can adversely affect an engine’s performance, so be sure to inspect this critical element regularly. You’ll typically find it under a plastic cover near the front of the engine that’s fastened by one or more clips. Remove the pleated paper filter and shake it to dislodge any loose dust and dirt. Replace the filter if it’s noticeably dirty; otherwise change it every other year.

4. Inspect the battery. Check the level of fluid in your car’s battery once a week during the summer, and at least once a month at cooler times of the year according to the instructions in your owner’s manual. If the fluid level is low, top it off with distilled water. Keep the terminals clear of corrosion

to ensure a good connection using a soft wire brush dipped in ammonia or baking soda, then flush with clear water. If the battery is three or more years old, replace it as cheap insurance against a breakdown. 5. Check the belts. An engine’s key components are operated by a series of drive belts that should be examined periodically for cracks or looseness. There shouldn’t be more than a half-inch of “play” when you press down on the center of a belt between pulleys, and you should hear no “squealing” from the belts when the engine is running. Have loose belts tightened, and replace them if they’re frayed or cracked or show signs of excess wear.