Car Maintenance MOST People Ignore! Make Your Engine Last 200,000+ Miles!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.พ. 2025
- Who has me beat, and what did I miss?
Oil changes the right way with good intervals, measure your oil burn.
1000m first oil change (new car)
3000m to 5000m oil changes, no longer. DO NOT go 10,000m between changes
Air filter/Cabin Filter
Transmission Drain/Fill
Brake Fluid Flush
Power Steering Flush
Front diff/Rear diff/Transfer Case fluid drain and fill
Timing belt if it has one
Spark Plugs
40k Turbo cars
60k-100k NA cars
PCV Valve
Fuel Filter
Clean EGR/Throttle Body/Mass Air Flow
Clean valves if you have direct injection only
Injector cleaner
Set 30 day reminder to check oil
Pro tip. Before you drain the fluid out of your differentials, make sure the refill plugs can be removed. If that plug is seized you won't be able to refill your differential. Especially if you live in the rustbelt.
You can pump thru the drain by using a rubber grommet to seal around the nipple using pump. Fill to capacity spec
Not a problem. Just flip vehicle upside down and fill using drain hole....works every time. Seriously though, that is a great tip.
333,000 on 2002 Honda Cr-V with the 2.4L engine. Regular Maintenance performed as your video stated. Excellent video by the way
About carfax most garages around here don’t report to carfax
I bought an old 2004 chevy avalanche last year in March. It had 240000 miles on it when I got it. Had to replace almost everything; rear main, entire front suspension, fuel pump, fuel injectors, had evap system issues, intake gasket, exhaust manifold, exhaust manifold gaskets, spark plugs, plug wires, oil pickup tube o-ring, shocks, brakes, rotors, coolant temp sensor, hvac door actuator (top), intermediate steering column, and the list goes on. Took me almost a year, but it probably runs better now than when it was first built and MAD POWER. lol I love her. Today she has around 248000 miles on her.
306k Miles on my 2009 Toyota Corolla purchased new. I have been methodical on everything that you have listed here with the exception of brake fluid which is my bad and I should have flushed that long ago will attend to that soon but been very methodical on everything else. Also using Lucas fuel conditioner or almost every fuel fill out for the last 200,000 and the car runs so smooth and quiet to this day. What has been replaced all for ignition coil packs, just recently had to do radiator developed a leak, oil pressure sending switch blew out about two years ago. All parts are placed OEM and no janky Chinese aftermarket stuff has been a big boon also to keeping it all quality Toyota durability trouble free operation incl OEM on all filters. I think my AC compressor bearing may be going out is it starting to make a fair amount of noise other than that everything is running smoothly and great. Good instructional video here!
256k on my wife's original 05 pontiac grand prix gt with the best GM motor ever made......the 3.8 V6. I've maintained it myself. Pretty simple car. Heated seats and AC still works. Just replaced master cylinder and all 4 struts, exhaust pipe, plugs, wires and fuel pump. Have about 3k in parts over last 2-3 years including all new wheel bearings and calipers. Been a great car. 3k miles oil changes regularly with full synthetic oil.
The 3800 will last a very long time I went to an auction started a car with the infamous 3800 had over 400,000 miles the engine ran so quiet it was unbelievable.
On my previous turbo-charged engines, I've stayed with 3,000 miles firm. Normally aspirated 5,000 miles, religiously. I agree with everything you've stated. Good video.
Use a techron additive to your gasoline system at least once per oil change, another cheap prevent.
A great video, it's important to keep your car running as long as you can!!!
Other then oil changes I changes everything every 60,000 miles so I don't forget. My wife got a new truck I drive to work in a 2010 Chevy Malibu 4 cylinder with 240,000+ miles and going strong. Thank you for your videos.
Learn from my mistake. I have a beater 2006 Toyota Sequoia basically bulletproof. I decided to go with the most affordable aftermarket timing belt, water-pump, and gaskets. On top of that, I went with a mobile mechanic that was recommended.
In short, I developed a leak of coolant and when I called the mechanic he disconnected his phone and took his website off Google.
I'm stuck, maybe with redoing everything. Not sure yet? Just get the work done by a business that's insured if you can afford it to save something like this happening.
Check your heater T’s. It’s a super common place for those 4.7’s to leak coolant from
I did my 2007 sequoia’s timing belt my self with the most expensive (high quality) parts and it runs beautifully still.
It is a big job.
AISIN or Toyota parts only.
Agreed 💯,most people I encounter don't have a clue how to properly maintain their vehicles....great video
EVERYDAY! I check my engines oil, and the other under hood vital fluids. 2003 Cummins 5.9 with 421,500+ miles.
No car engine should have 10,000 mile oil changes period.
Toyotas are fine. Never had an issue. Corolla went to 190k before I sold it. If I did oil changes at every 5k, I would be doing an oil change every other month. I do all highway miles and I have a hybrid so the oil doesn’t really get that abused. My 2022 Prius is at over 90k now. No issues.
@ well it’s a hybrid so it’s not a real dedicated combustion engine therefore that don’t count. If you understood engines properly you wouldn’t be writing that comment.Clown.
Clocked 464,000 on my 1988 Toyota pick up (22R Carburated) that I owned from 1994 to 2018. Even with 8K to 10k oil chage intervals per OEM specs. Yet, I do believe 100% in what you are saying. My 2007 Honda Pilot (3.5 V6) oil change is at ~7,500 miles per OEM. I experienced pitted camshaft lobes that made a nasty clicking noise. I bought new heads and decided to rebuild the block. After seeing the condition of many components I removed and disassembled, I personally realised the importance of more frequent oil changes. Engines now days rely on motor oil so much more than 20 years ago. I am sticking to 5k or less oil changes.
Thought the carbureted version stopped in 85'.Regardless ,you had a great one. I had an 84' with about 275000 before the truck got stolen. Had the SR5 package with tach ,oil pressure and volt gauge and sliding rear window. I went 3 months or 3000 miles and never had any problems. It just stumbled at times when cold. Typical of carbureted engines. But was quiet when warm.
362,000M 2014 Mazda3 no engine problems yet. I'll buy Mazdas again.
I got 360k out of a Honda Accord with a 2.5L engine and a manual transmission. I ran the hell out of that car. When I got rid of it, the engine was still running great.
That’s impressive
Love your channel very informative, especially when I’m researching for my next vehicle purchase. BTW, took a 2000 Toyota 4Runner to 363K and currently a 2012 MDX with 304k!!
That's awesome! Those are some great numbers.
Great advice! I still change my oil every 3000 miles. I just skipped the filter in between.
Great advice. My 2006 Matrix 4WD has 227,000 miles and still runs great.
Here is the maintenance:
5k/6mo OCI 5w30 full syn and OEM filter.
30k Trans, TC, diff drain and fill
40k power steering fluid flush
50k coolant and brake fluid flush
50k PCV valve
20k engine, 10k cabin filters
100k Denso Iridium plugs
230k is rookie numbers for a pre 2022 Toyota. My dad's Tacoma had 400k before the frame rotted out and his T100 was at 380k when the frame on that gave out. He neglected the piss out of both of them severely. I remember driving that T100 home on 5 cylinders one time because a coil pack went out.
240k on my little 2004 Corolla with the 1.8L motor. All fluids changed regularly. So far so good.
250k on my 05 Accord 2.4 Liter k24 engine. Quality filters like wix or Bosch or Mobil1. Good oil like penzoil ultra platinum. It has noticeably less compression than years ago, but otherwise runs like a top.
Aren’t most fuel filters now in the fuel tank?
I think so, you will have to remove the hole tank
Yes and they're not really true filters anymore. You can always splice in your own though.
315,000 miles on 1996 chevy S-10 4.3L Change oil and filter 3k miles or 6 months. Still runs great.
and 20oz techron every other oil change
An in depth video on how long to idle before driving would be helpful. Just long enough to build oil pressure (mentioned briefly in this video), get oil to an acceptable operating temp, get the engine to an acceptable operating temp, etc.-my MB has all three temp monitors. What to do in the summer vs winter. How idle rev / computer programming works, etc.
If you’re in cold weather invest in a block heater. If you live in warmer climates idle the engine until you see the temp gauge move. Most cars these days rev the engine to heat the cat. You can also force your engine to do an extended crank to pull oil into the filter before the engine turns on. But it won’t make that much of a difference
@@Now_or_Never_777 About a minute or as soon as idle starts to come down. Drive gently until temp starts to come up. The faster engine gets to operating temp, the better.
Thank you for these tips/ advice. I’m working on my car for the first time, with my older brother. I have a 2020 RAV4 and I’m looking to keep it for many years to comes. I really enjoy it and it’s very spacious.
275k on my 03 Chevy suburban with the bulletproof 5.3l vortec she running like a kitten
The best video you made my friend I follow 90% of those rules and I will the other 10% right now.
Excellent Video!
You’re 100% correct. It’s like in the military PMCS check every time drive your vehicle or once a week or every S/A/B military term
Oil changes at 5k or less are also very critical for low tension Toyota rings. My daily driver 2009 Ford Escape has 306,000.
Have a 93 Toyota T100 with 208K bought it a couple years ago with 193K on it and did basically everything on your list within the first 6-12 mo of ownership due to it not having a complete maintenance history. On that note, the next scheduled maintenance items will be diff/transfer case flush at 223K along with the air filter.
It does have a bit of an oil burning issue needing a quart or two in between oil changes, i tried using some high mileage seafoam in the crank case before my most recent oil change and it seems to have slowed down the consumption a bit, only down half a quart after nearly 2000 miles. Will try seafoam treatment again before next oil change and see if there is continued improvement. Great video, thanks for the list!
Another step that you can take to help keep the intake valves and fuel injectors clean is to use Top Tier fuel. It contains a higher concentration of detergents than other gasolines and can be found at many gas stations - Shell, Chevron, Mobil, and 76 just to name a few. I almost always fill-up at 76.
I try to maintain my cars beyond what is recommended. Another step I have taken is doing what I can to prevent rodents from getting under the hood. When parked in the garage I keep the hood open and regularly inspect for evidence of mice. Several years ago I had a car extensively damaged by rodents. All of my good maintenance went down the drain.
did the first oil change at 1000 miles for my '22 tacoma, parents '24 4runner and brother's '25 civic. Feels good. Do it myself too, obviously
I've got 2003 Nissan Pathfinder with 3.5 VQ35DE that has 137,000 miles on it. Engine, transmission, radiator, diffs, transfer case has been maintained. I only use synthetic oil. The only problem I have is that it burns oil. I researched and early VQs have this problem. Recently changed valve cover gaskets, engine looks clean inside. Spark plugs have been done at 110,000 miles. One oxygen sensor have gone south at around the same time. Break fluid changes depend on where you live. In my area there is low humidity and you can stretch it to 8-10 years. I replaced Power steering fluid when the car was 20 years old, it has no problem. In general just follow the owners manual and it's not always necessary to respect the time interval (for instance transmission, diffs, transfer case, fuel filter), but always respect the mileage interval. One noticeable exception is the engine oil. You should change it at least once a year despite the mileage, and no matter what oil you use and what manual says, don't stretch it too long. 5000 miles is a great middle ground. Just remember that when odometer hits round number, change the oil :)
Im at 14 years 330 thousand miles 2011, 4runner sr5. same transmission fluid no issues yet. Only oil chsnges n spark plugs air filters. Gona drain n fill the trans , and diffs soon as the snow is gone. Figure its due! 😆. This thing has been a tank. Just runs n runs. Never had an issue ever!
That's incredible! Those are some amazing numbers.
@TheCarGuyOnline they don't build vehicles like them old 4runners anymore. I've never had a vehicle just go and go like this old girl. I will Def be looking for another one with low miles when she finally kicks the bucket. This thing don't owe me a dime. Been payment free for 10 years. Really impressed with the old-school toyotas. Newer ones not so much. ✌️
Good suggestions.
'14 Honda Accord. 232,000 miles. No drop in mpg's or power. When the percent of oil life on the car tells me it's getting close to 50%, I change it. Always go into winter with new oil.
In 2018 I bought. a new european sports sedan. I don't have the car anymore, wife wrecked it. I could not manually check the oil or add oil to the car. The oil change recommendation would show on the screen in the car. It was automatic figured, I believe at, 7,500 miles. I'm now looking for a more analouge car.
Yup same here. Lots of newer cars with no dipstick, check via screen only..it’s pretty silly. I see many new cars with 10,000 set as default for the maintenance reminder too…it’s sad.
I have a 2008 Chevy trailblazer with 250k on it still drive it everyday 4.2 inline 6
Excellent video! 👍
Own 2 GMT 800 5.3 V8s. Combined almost 400K miles, one of the best engines ever.
I have a 2018 Chevrolet Cruze. I bought it new. It has 115,000 miles. I change the oil every 8,000 miles with synthetic oil and it still runs like new. 😊😊❤❤
Good recommendations
Great info… 😉
400,000 on a Diesel engine on my last car by regular maintenance. I like working on my car and by doing it myself, I know it’s done right.
I change my vehicles engine oil and filter every 10,000 miles with the cheapest on the shelf at that time, this includes turbo charged engines. Own multiple vehicles and they all have over 200,000 plus miles. Where I live, cancer attacks the car before the engines ever let loose.
You at least want the fast idle to turn off before blowing out the reverse band in the transmission. 😉
My original transmission went out on me at 412k miles on my Toyota Avalon. The shop told me a piece of the torque converter broke off and did something. It probably would had lasted longer but i had babied it till the end. They told me the transmission oil looked good as I do drop and fills every 50k. That was the only time my car ever been to a shop. I was considering if I get a newer car but luckily I found a low mileage jdm transmission. Still trying to pay off the bill on my credit card😅 if it last me another 3 years I’m thinking it would pay for itself.
my 2014 ford fusion 2.0vep engine just clicked over to 200046 miles a few days ago,, all oem still i drive it softly until the engine is up to operating temps.. never getting the turbo going until then.. then if i should drive it hot,, before i shut it down,, i will let it idle for 2 songs on a cd i might be listening to at the time.. every 6000 miles with a dexos type oil..in staled 2 ovs on my engine. as is had a DI system on the car..so my intake valves are still pretty clean.. every 3 oil change ir remove and replace 4.5 quarts of transmission oil.fluid. only use 1 quart per 3000 mile.. but no smoke at all even when on boost. spark plugs are cheap $ 8.00 each so i change those out once a year.., water pumps cost $35.00 for this car.. so i shage them out every other 45000 mile coolents changes..cabin filter once a year.. engine air filter ' paper ' every 2 years..i am not into that racer boi k&n filter stuff.. we like yo point out to our customers,, thay if you can hold the filter up, to a strong light.. like the sun, and if you can see thiugh it.. this it not a good. filter,, and it will not give you extra hp....tires checked everyday per a walk around before in get in the car.. check tire pressures every week. alinement every every 6 months ( i got a 3 year plan at good year..unlimited alinements for 3 years. a great value ).. brake fuild change out every year.. as this point you might think i work as a tech..i do, classic Italian cars.. so i take very good care of my cars.. and a note.. i live your fairmont.. i have always like the clean lines on that car.. take good care of it
but i am thinking about that valvoline ' protect and restore ' oil for my next change..i dont nelieve in ' snake oil' of' fix in a can ' stuff. but this is getting good reviews.. and valvoline is a good company
Best tip to buy a car without a turbo. Next best tip is to buy a Toyota. Don't tires need loving too. Services should be based more to time intervals then miles. If you want to make your car last. Drive it like you love it and not like your having an orgy with it. Maybe you should blow the carbon out once in a while. But not hourly.
P.S. If it has a wet timing belt to go with the turbo. You and the car deserve each other.
Great list of proper maint. on vehicles. Lots of good advise.
Rather than measuring the oil that you drain out, wouldn't it be easier (and less messy) to check the dipstick prior to the oil change?
Im my 08 Chevy Silverado i did the full delete of the afm/odd so i don't have to worry about having a stuck lifter since all the spring lifters was taken out and a new cam. But i change my oil every 3000 miles i know people say thats over kill but i enjoy changing my oil and the cost isnt that bad i use Pennzoil ultra platinum and my truck doesn't leak or burn a drop of oil
253,000 on my 2016 LML Duramax. I’m on your train of thought on replacement fluids.
Just because no maintenance is on a “carfax” doesn’t necessarily mean anything. The only places that report that stuff to carfax are dealers & big chain places like Farm & Fleet, Sams Club ect. Most people that maintain their cars the best are smart enough NOT to go to those places. You need to LOOK at the individual car and ask if they have maintenance records for it. I keep a folder with all invoices and everything I do myself I print out my own of what I did with any receipts stapled to it.
2014 camry 200k miles
03 Chevy w/343k miles and countng...
Serpentine belts are important.
I would wait 3 minutes to warm up the TRANSMISSION in the morning before shifting it out of park and USE THE PARKING BRAKE. I cringe when I see a car rolling slightly onto the transmission on a grade
Turbo engines I’d go for the 2,500 mile oil change interval
Oil changes are cheap- especially if you do it yourelf. I'll never understand why people neglect them.
5K mile oil changes if it’s synthetic, much more frequent if it’s dinosaur oil. Mobil 1 extended performance high mileage full synthetic oil is all I’ll use in my vehicles. I’ve seen so many sludged and crusty valve covers, oil pans, partially blocked oil pickup screens, and encrusted valve stems that may not have happened had the owner not cheaped out by using dinosaur oil. Perhaps that last one is because most automakers now use direct fuel injection, seeking more power, rather than the cleaning effect of port injection. I think Toyota started using both now. I stay away from turbos and CVT’s. I wonder what sort of maintenance an EV will require.
Use KTM sock filter to catch all sand coming from pump gas only 36k mile and I have caught like easily a spoon full of sand from going into my tank from all pump gas from NM to SE TX even new gas station pump will pump out fine sand.
The engine? How do I get a transmission to last 200,000 miles? That's always the first big repair to go...
My car doesn’t have a fuel filter only the sock in the tank.
My buddy’s got 420k on his 1995 4x4 Toyota T100 3.4l with the 3.4l engine
294k on my 2011 CR-V
I see the exact same thing with lack of maintenance and oil changes when searching for a used car. Too many HUGE gaps in oil changes, like 20,000+ miles or the uneducated that follow the silly 10,000 mile interval from Toyota. Sometimes I find an awesome 3 owner 2015 or so Camry or Corolla with about 100,000 to 130,000 miles in which the first 2 owners did 3,000 mile oil changes for the first 80,000 miles, and even a transmission flush, but the 3rd owner only changed the oil like 2 times in 30,000 miles or jumps between 8 and 12 thousand mile changes only to completely stop changing the oil knowing they are going to get something new, and go 15,000 miles with no oil change. The other sad thing is to find a car with 80,000 miles having 5,000 mile oil changes but you see complete brake jobs at 30, and 65 thousand miles so you know they drove it like a race car in almost all city driving and that the brakes are almost gone again and the engine and tranny have taken a beating. I see a lot of cars with 3 complete brake jobs before 100,000 miles. Too many lease vehicles with ZERO oil changes for the first 35,000 miles, and when they do have oil changes it is almost always 10,000 mile intervals that stop after only two because Toyota Care only covers the first 2 oil changes at 10,000 and 20,000 miles. Forgot to mention I only look for 2012-2017 Camry, 2010-2013 Corolla LE or up to a 2076 L as it still had the 4 speed available while the LE and up went to CVT. I also look for NON CVT or Turbo Accord 4 cylinders 2012 or the 2013-2017. Too bad too many Honda and Toyota owners fell for the 10,000 mile oil change fantasy the dealerships told them.
I have a 2006 tundra with 300k miles I bought new, still runs great like it did when it was new. Changed the factory oil at 1200 miles to full synthetic, then 10k mile oil changes with mobil 1/amsoil. Zero issues, uses about a quart every 5000 miles also since new. It really depends on the engine. Do an oil analysis and know for sure.
Yeah, you can tell who actually cares for their vehicles. I see it all the time.
@@DanI-ls4dj Car Care Nut has a new video of what used Toyotas not to buy in 2025 with a segment called "the victims of the 10,000 mile oil change" referring to the 2AR15 engine in the 2009-2018 Rav4s and Camrys becoming Excessive oil burners on 10,000 mile oil changes and ruining engines with contaminants or low oil due to people not checking their oil between changes. However, those that did consistent 5000 mile oil changes rarely have any issues. He says it is a great engine on 5000 mile changes but 10,000 mile changes kill it. This would be an example of depends on the oil change interval. Sounds like your truck is a definitely depends on the engine if I read your statement correctly that it has burned a quart of oil every 5000 miles since day 1. I see some new cars like Kias state that you should check your oil every 500 miles as it is considered within manufacturer tolerances that it may burn up to 1 quart of oil every 750 miles. I can see a lot of voided warranties for people that do not bother to check their oil between oil changes.
suprised a car person has a vw as a personal car?!
Here in the South I change the air and cabin filters every year right after the pollen season (Spring) ends. Usually about 15k miles.
About catfax
Nice. VERY NICE! a backyard mechanic since 1963....
2004 Honda Accord EX-L 3.0L V6 approaching 400K miles in Michigan but my son bought it at a donated vehicle auction in 2019 ($700 VOA) so the history is unknown but everything appeared to be original. He made it a few miles down the road before the trans failed. I got lucky and found a wrecked low mileage 5 speed automatic trans (BAYA) for $100 at a self-service yard. The Accord runs smooth and quiet. Oil changes every 5K mile with Mobil 1 extended performance high mileage full synthetic and Purolator Boss oil filters but I have a bad feeling because my son won’t take the time to replace the timing belt. He’s had it for 6 years and it’s approaching 400K. To make matters worse, he just paid over a grand for a set of Michelin tires and when it returned from Discount Tire, I found the frame rails were bent in the rear. They clearly lifted it forward of where Honda had quarter sized holes in the rails that faced down. But he refuses to complain. Sure it’s old and has high mileage but it’s still rust-free. But on the other hand, his heavy sub in the trunk may have contributed.
The head engineer at Nissan recommends if you want engine to last the most. Change oil at 2000 miles along with Filter.
I adhere to this meothod. I also use Pensoil Ultra oil along with Amzoil oil filters when available or Mobil 1 filter..
I recommend if you have a Toyota that does not use a spin on filter compare the OEM filter vs the AMZOIL filter
You will never use the OEM again…clearly the Amzoil has to have better flow.
My 2001 corolla went over 300000 miles still running when I sold it to a college kid
2000 is crazy. Been doing 4000 and my 92 sierra has 500k miles
@@RipliWitani on full synthetic or conventional oil? i would not go over 3000 miles on conventional, but i would go as much as 5000 on full synthetic. My 1991 GMC 2500 went 400,000 miles and was still running good when it got sold
2000 miles is a little low. I do 3000 but you could honestly be fine at 4-5k
Hi I just wanted to get a shout out about your videos I want to say thank you. I'm a big Toyota fan I own a 2014 Toyota Tundra with about 220,000 miles when I upgrade it's going to be a 2021 and under lol. My question was about the transmission and your thoughts back about 40,000 Mi ago I was trying to get info on whether to change my transmission oil cuz I'm not sure it ever has been done as far as I know I don't think it has the dealership mechanic told me that if I'm not having trouble I should not attempt it what's your thoughts on that?
I personally would do a drain and fill and see how it goes, that will only replace about 1/3rd of the fluid. Run it for 5k…if you don’t have issues do another drain and fill. It’s up to you but, if it were mine that’s what I would do.
@TheCarGuyOnline THANKS for the response. ya that was a Machanic from the dealership that told me that. For awhile I was trying to get straight answer on Tundra forums. I knew that flushing the system was bad idea, unless I had low mileage. I know the dealership charges at least $400 to change Trans fluid. Ya it has been bugging me not changing it, and I haven't had any issues. Unless one issue is when shifting from forward to reverse I feel a little delay, but that maybe the universal joints? So you think I should just do it, even if it has never been done with that old oil?
@@MrMiller2980 I would yes. Toyota transmissions are extremely durable, if doing one drain and fill ends up causing a dead transmission shortly after, I assume it was close to dying anyway and time was limited. That’s my thought process anyway. How much towing has been done in the 220k miles?
Fittingly a 4runner Dash for the thumbnail
It was actually my 2008 Sequoia but they have the same dash:)
I have a 2001 Toyota Camry 2.2. I have 360000 miles. No check engine lights running like a babyes every three thousand miles I changed my oil.
What kind of car is it that you have 234k on? I’m curious what it is. Thanks
2008 Toyota Sequoia