If you are racking up the miles on your car and nearing the 100,000-mile mark, it’s time to make an appointment for service at your local Milex Complete Auto Care.

Americans spend an average of 10 hours and 50 minutes in their car each week. By the time the odometer hits 100,000 miles, you’ve logged a lot of memories in your vehicle. If your car’s sentimental value and the high price tag on a new car are prompting you to hold onto your vehicle well past its prime, you aren’t alone. People are keeping their cars longer than ever. The average age of cars on the road is 12.2 years, a record high.

Good news! Today’s cars are built to withstand the test of time. Proper maintenance is the key to their longevity. If you plan on keeping your vehicle for the long haul, it’s time to invest some money in your ride to make sure it lasts. Keeping up with car maintenance will go a long way to avoiding unexpected and costly car repairs down the road.

The experts at Milex Complete Auto Care can help you get prepped for your 100,000-mile maintenance appointment. Milex is a one-stop shop for general automotive repair and maintenance. Each of our independently owned and operated service centers create customer experiences that result in satisfaction and loyalty.

Milex makes it a priority to offer affordable car care to build long-term relationships with our customers. Milex is part of Moran Family of Brands, a leader in the aftermarket automotive and window tinting industry. Moran franchises six different brands, including Milex, Mr. Transmission, and Turbo Tint.

Here’s what to expect at this milestone service.

Replace the Timing Belt

Replacing the timing belt is key to extending your car’s lifespan. The timing belt controls the crankshaft and camshaft to keep your engine running smoothly. Most vehicle manufacturers recommend getting the timing belt replaced right around 100,000 miles. A broken timing belt can cause costly damage to your car’s engine, so it’s important to replace it before that happens.

You can tell your timing belt is getting worn if you notice rough idling, engine misfires, or a decline in oil pressure. Reaching the timing belt is not easy, and it takes time. Getting a new timing belt ranges in price from $300 to $500, depending on the make and model of your vehicle.

Flush the Fluids

Your car’s fluids break down as the vehicle ages. It’s a good idea to flush out your fluids at this appointment and replace the oil, coolant, transmission, brake, and power steering fluids.

Test the Brakes
At this point, it’s likely you’ve already had to replace your brake pads. At your 100,000-mile appointment, the mechanic will take a look to see if they need to be replaced again. It’s also a good idea to make sure your rotors are not worn down if you have disc brakes. If your car vibrates when you hit the brakes, it’s likely time to get your rotors resurfaced or replaced.

Replace Shock Absorbers
Around 100,000 miles, your car’s shock absorbers start to wear out. The shock absorbers are an integral part of your vehicle suspension and ensure your car’s tires are in constant contact with the road. Replacing them will improve driving performance and help your car’s tires wear evenly.

Steering Components.
In addition to flushing your steering fluid, a mechanic will evaluate your car’s steering components to make sure they are in top form at this maintenance check-up.

Eyeball Spark Plugs.
Your mechanic will take a close look at your spark plugs to make sure none of them are worn out and need replacing. Copper spark plugs need to be replaced every 20,000 miles, while platinum and iridium plugs are designed to last until around 100,000 miles. Putting in a new set of spark plugs can improve gas mileage, which is especially important as the price of gas continues to hit record highs.

Having a vehicle you can depend on makes all the difference, and keeping your car for the long haul means you don’t need to foot the bill for monthly payments on a new ride. Milex Complete Auto Care can help make sure your vehicle is in good condition for your next adventure.

Click here to find a Milex Complete Auto Care location near you, or visit our home page to learn about Moran’s other brands.