GOING THE DISTANCE

MANY motorists – me included – are keen to hang onto their cars for as long as possible. My Isuzu Fuego pickup has clocked up 300,000 kilometers and I'm keen to see it pass the magical half million mark.

Few will be as successful as Irvin Gordon – he holds the Guinness World Record for most miles on a non-commercial vehicle reaching a staggering 3,000,000 miles in his 1966 Volvo P1800S. But I'm certainly hoping my truck will go the distance.

According to Gordon, if you're planning to keep a car for many years, it's important you choose one you like. “If you don't like the car, you're enthusiasm is likely to wane,” he says.

If you are aiming for the long haul, you have to be prepared to stick to a maintenance checklist and be willing to put in the time and money to properly maintain your car.

Regular maintenance

Check your engine and oil filter approximately 5,000-7,500 km, depending on vehicle and oil type. Some manufacturers and oil companies suggest oil change intervals of up to 10,000 km or 12 months whichever comes first. Consult your owner’s manual to see what’s best for your vehicle.

Rotate and balance your tires every 5,000 km to even out wear, extend their life and keep on top of vibrations.

Inspect your brakes every 5,000 km to keep on top of wear and, if necessary, replace pads or shoes before they ruin rotors or drums.

Monitor the level and condition of your fluids every 5,000 miles. This will give you an overall feel for how your car is running. Check differential fluid and transfer case oil every 15,000 km.

Make timely repairs. Addressing any issues that arise as soon as possible helps you avoid poor fuel economy, drivability issues, and collateral damage.

At significant mileage milestones, 50, 100, 200 km and beyond, you'll definitively need to have the dealership give your car a thorough going over.

You’re going to have to make repairs now and then, but with regular inspections by a certified mechanic, you’ll be able to fix problems as soon as they arise.

Irvin Gordon also has a few interesting comments about going the distance. He recommends you always use factory parts. And suggests if you use the same brand of oil each time, you'll be assured of uniform quality.

He’s a great believer in lifting the hood every week for a few minutes. "Even the most mechanically-challenged owner can look for low fluid levels or deterioration in belts and hoses."

Washing your car regularly will give you the chance to spot small nicks and scratches. And waxing the car twice a year will, he says “give protection from ultraviolet rays and other elements.”

Highly-rated auto detailers say not regularly waxing your car can damage the paint and lead to costly repairs.

Lastly, he recommends we always go to a busy service station for fuel. “Without heavy traffic, fuel is stored for long periods and can degrade over time.”

This is especially true of diesel which starts to deteriorate and form solids within 60-90 days after refining. This can result in heavy deposits in filters and perhaps sludge forming in the fuel tank.

Without heavy traffic, fuel is stored for long periods and can degrade over time