Basic maintenance is the key to gaining longer use of your auto investment. These days it is common to pay $15,000 to $100,000 for a car. With those prices, it makes sense to protect your investment by maintaining the vehicle. By following these steps, an owner can use a vehicle for 200,000 miles; some have driven vehicles over 400,000 miles by following these tips.

In terms of gas consumption, the best investment among cars that use gas are the four-cylinder cars. Obviously, a four-cylinder car uses less gas than a large eight-cylinder car. Larger motors have more cylinders, and most big cars and trucks use bigger motors.

Changing the oil is critical – it helps fight engine erosion and increases fuel mileage. Every 3,000 miles, the oil and filter should be changed. For older cars – cars that have over 100,000 miles – an oil additive is useful, as long as the manufacturer doesn’t prohibit it. These additives clog small holes that form because of mechanical stress and actually increase engine compression. Older cars often lack compression: They don’t accelerate as quickly as newer cars.

Fuel filters should be changed every 15,000-20,000 miles. Changing the fuel filter improves fuel flow and prevents carburetor or fuel injector blockage. It improves gas mileage, too.

The air filter should be changed regularly. It should be changed upon visual inspection – it will be obvious when they are dirty. An air filter can be expected to last 10,000 to 15,000 miles.

The PCV valve is emission control equipment that should be checked often. If it’s oily or clogged, change it. In any case, change it every 50,000 miles. A clogged PCV valve can lead to engine damage and lower gas mileage.

Spark plugs should be changed every 15,000 miles or earlier if they become clogged. Clogged spark plugs indicate engine wear. If the car is slow to crank, check the plugs and the plug wires. The latter should be visibly inspected for cracks and replaced if damaged. Wires should be replaced every 30,000 miles, but a mechanic may recommend that good wires be retained rather than changed. “If it isn’t broken why fix it?” is sometimes the best philosophy.

The timing belt should be changed every 100,000 miles or according to the car’s service manual. When an old timing belt breaks, it usually destroys the engine. Though timing belt jobs are involved and costly, they are worth it to save the engine. At least one timing belt job should be expected on the way to 200,000 miles.

Finally, some miscellaneous advice will be useful. All fluids – brake, power steering, and radiator – should be maintained at their proper levels. The air conditioning should be used as little a possible because it is an extra load on the engine. Tires should be inflated to the proper level. For older cars, it is useful to use premium gas especially in colder weather to compensate for loss of compression due to wear and tear. By following these tips, the lifetime of the car can be extended to 200,000 miles and beyond.