Keeping your 6 to 10-year old car in tip-top shape

Cars to some people are more than just a means of transportation. They have become part of the family and are the machines that are responsible for getting you to work and back on a daily basis. They can also become your reliable companion for every road trip, romantic dates, family adventure, and a whole lot more. As years go by and as the odometer passes the 70,000 km mark, you and your car have been through a lot—creating memories that can be considered sentimental.

Regular maintenance plays a major role in sustaining your car’s performance. Among the many, you should check your vehicle’s spark plugs, air filter, coolant, tires, and engine oil to keep your 6 to 10-year old car in tip-top shape.

One of the first things that you will need to change out in your vehicle when it gets older is its spark plugs. These play a crucial role in your car’s engine as they are the ones in charge of igniting the air and fuel mixture with the engine’s cylinders. Like all things, it will age as time goes by resulting in a lack of vehicle acceleration, higher fuel consumption, and rough engine idle.

It is highly recommended that you change these out every 20,000 km to 130,000 km or depending on the manufacturer's recommendation and type of spark plugs. Be prepared for a hefty bill as some spark plugs can be expensive to replace especially if it’s the Iridium or Platinum kind.

Another item that you will need to change out frequently with your older vehicle is its air filters. These do the job of deflecting dirt, road debris, and other contaminants away from your car’s engine and from entering the cabin of your vehicle. A clean air filter should be white or off-white and should generally look clean. If by this point you have chosen to go with a reusable aftermarket filter, make sure that you have the proper cleaning kit at the ready and the recharging oil as well.

Changing or cleaning your air filter should be done every 5,000 km to 10,000 km and is typically paired with your vehicle’s preventive maintenance schedule.

Engine coolant is what keeps your car’s motor cool and helps it maintain its ideal operating temperature. It is the fluid in charge of making sure that your engine won’t overheat. You need to check the quantity of your car’s coolant on a regular basis. You can check it by simply looking if the liquid reaches the ‘full-line”, located on the side of the coolant reservoir. If your vehicle has leaks we highly recommend that you have these sorted out immediately as to not prolong the problem.

We recommend changing the coolant out eery 40,000 km to 100,000 km or depending on the manufacturer's recommendation.

Without tires you obviously couldn’t drive the vehicle. With that, maintaining the right tire pressure is important to reduce the possibility of a flat tire or a blowout. Tire pressure could also yield better fuel economy and improved handling. You should also have it checked by your trusted mechanic in order to know if your tires need to be replaced with a new one.

Knowing when to change your tires will depend on your use case scenario. Some tires will wear out faster than others but your best bet is to change it when it reaches its tire wear indicator or when you see that the tire is starting to degrade.

5. Engine oil is a lubricant that helps your engine to function smoothly. It is one of the most important components in keeping your car in tip-top shape. Engine oil serves like your car’s bloodstream – without it, your vehicle would not come to life.

When to change: Every 5,000 km (if mineral oil) and 10,000 km (if synthetic) or depending on the manufacturer's recommendation. 

With regular oil change, your car’s engine will be well lubricated and protected against friction. You can use Shell Helix High Mileage engine oil for cars that are 6 to 10 years old or has travelled more than 70,000 km. It's available in 2 variants: Helix 10W-40 for gasoline engines and Helix 15W-50 for diesel mills. 

Shell claims the Helix High Mileage engine oil comes with a special formulation that provides 40% better wear protection. It is designed to prevent sludge and other damaging deposits for better engine performance. The said oil is also infused with Flexi-molecule technology, which helps prevent leaks and reduces oil burn-off for less top-up.

Your car should never lose its ‘ever reliable’ status regardless of the age. It may be a 10-year-old car but with proper and regular maintenance, it will continue to take you to places. Take note of these tips and get your Shell Helix High Mileage oil change now at your nearest Shell retail station or look for it in your favorite Car shop or Auto supply store.