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simple car maintenance/additives to prolong vehicle performance?
Posted on 9/5/25 at 2:58 pm
Posted on 9/5/25 at 2:58 pm
Since we will be needing to upgrade one of our cars in the near future, I'm trying to do what I can that will let these 110k+ mile vehicles last as long as possible so that I don't end up being in a situation where I NEED to purchase a new vehicle.
Went ahead and decided to get some Techron and OEM fuel system cleaner for our vehicles since I do not even know when the last time we did that was. I am okay with spending and having a peace of mind even if the impact on the cleaner isn't noticeable. We routinely change cabin and intake filters, regular maintenance (oil change, rotation, brake pads/rotors were all DIY recently), regular washing to keep crap off the car. Are there any other things that can be done routinely with minimal/zero effort involving powertrain parts?
Went ahead and decided to get some Techron and OEM fuel system cleaner for our vehicles since I do not even know when the last time we did that was. I am okay with spending and having a peace of mind even if the impact on the cleaner isn't noticeable. We routinely change cabin and intake filters, regular maintenance (oil change, rotation, brake pads/rotors were all DIY recently), regular washing to keep crap off the car. Are there any other things that can be done routinely with minimal/zero effort involving powertrain parts?
6
Posted on 9/5/25 at 3:06 pm to BilbeauTBaggins
quote:
Are there any other things that can be done routinely with minimal/zero effort involving powertrain parts?
G Lubricant ( LINK, you can order it direct from them) is supposed to be able to help with wear.
Posted on 9/5/25 at 3:09 pm to BilbeauTBaggins
Only thing I would do is maybe high mileage oil.
Posted on 9/5/25 at 3:15 pm to BilbeauTBaggins
Probably too late to have someone change transmission fluid, but if you can find someone to do that as well as a cooling system flush, I would get that done.
Also, all belts and hoses should be changed. I just changed my belts and hoses, and I’m glad I did because the bottom radiator hose had a bulge on it.
If it is missing at all, you might change plug wires ( I wouldn’t change spark plugs themselves).
I haven’t found any additives to be worth much. However, I buy cheap gasoline so I add a can of sea foam to the tank a couple of times per year. I also add sea foam to the crankcase oil a couple of hundred miles prior to oil changes if I have it.
2006 Chevy Silverado with 285,000 mi.
Also, all belts and hoses should be changed. I just changed my belts and hoses, and I’m glad I did because the bottom radiator hose had a bulge on it.
If it is missing at all, you might change plug wires ( I wouldn’t change spark plugs themselves).
I haven’t found any additives to be worth much. However, I buy cheap gasoline so I add a can of sea foam to the tank a couple of times per year. I also add sea foam to the crankcase oil a couple of hundred miles prior to oil changes if I have it.
2006 Chevy Silverado with 285,000 mi.
Posted on 9/5/25 at 3:16 pm to BilbeauTBaggins
Seafoam...of course.
Posted on 9/5/25 at 3:19 pm to BilbeauTBaggins
quote:
Are there any other things that can be done routinely with minimal/zero effort involving powertrain parts?
If you are doing all of the fluid and filter services then that is pretty much most of the battle right there. Suspension parts should be checked/serviced whenever brakes are done. Wheel/hub bearings, engine/transmission mounts, vacuum lines, etc should definitely get checked out at 100k.
Posted on 9/5/25 at 7:24 pm to Spankum
quote:
I wouldn’t change spark plugs themselves
Even the fancy new iridium's and stuff are suggested to be changed at 100K. If they are easy to get to might as well do it.
Posted on 9/5/25 at 9:08 pm to AlxTgr
quote:
Seafoam...of course.
Seafoam High Mileage
Posted on 9/5/25 at 9:15 pm to BilbeauTBaggins
Run gas that has good detergent packages(Exxon, shell, chevron). I don't run additives unless the car has a known issue that additives help with, such as stuck oil rings on 2az-fe Toyota engines. Overusing some of those additives can harden your seals or toast your cats/oxygen sensors.
Here's my recipe:
1. Buy synthetic motor oil and change it every 5k(rotella T6 is excellent)
2. Use good oil filters
3. Have your tranny fluid changed at least every 100k or less if you tow or have a CVT. I use OEM spec fluid, not the multi grade stuff. This is surprisingly affordable at most dealerships.
4. Follow the maintenance schedule for everything else like timing belts, water pumps, belts, coolant, spark plugs, differential fluid, etc. Do not cheap out on these parts/fluids.
5. Get an oil analysis every 50k and they will tell you really quickly what kind of shape your engine is in.
6. Drive the dog piss out of it every now and again, like accelerating hard going uphill. That burns the carbon out of the combustion chamber on most engines.
7. Get to know your car. Look up the year/make/model/engine/transmission on the various automotive forums and see if there are any known weak points like lifters on Chevy trucks with active fuel management. Check the oil and make a note of how much it's using between oil changes.
If you have a good mechanic, he's your ally on all of the above mentioned items.
Here's my recipe:
1. Buy synthetic motor oil and change it every 5k(rotella T6 is excellent)
2. Use good oil filters
3. Have your tranny fluid changed at least every 100k or less if you tow or have a CVT. I use OEM spec fluid, not the multi grade stuff. This is surprisingly affordable at most dealerships.
4. Follow the maintenance schedule for everything else like timing belts, water pumps, belts, coolant, spark plugs, differential fluid, etc. Do not cheap out on these parts/fluids.
5. Get an oil analysis every 50k and they will tell you really quickly what kind of shape your engine is in.
6. Drive the dog piss out of it every now and again, like accelerating hard going uphill. That burns the carbon out of the combustion chamber on most engines.
7. Get to know your car. Look up the year/make/model/engine/transmission on the various automotive forums and see if there are any known weak points like lifters on Chevy trucks with active fuel management. Check the oil and make a note of how much it's using between oil changes.
If you have a good mechanic, he's your ally on all of the above mentioned items.
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