Back to all

Another Couple of Years: Making Your Vehicle Last With Help From TLC Custom Exhaust Brakes & Tires

April 5, 2020

Please wait while the video is loading...

A while back, the Cash for Clunkers program was all over the Michigan news. Royal Oak people could trade in their old vehicle for a new one that got better gas mileage and receive a government rebate.

A lot of Royal Oak motorists had so-called clunkers that they wanted to keep. They're good commuters, grocery getters or toy haulers. They enjoy that fact that they're paid off, or soon will be. They would gladly like to keep their vehicles for 200,000 miles (320,000 kilometers) or more – as long as it's economical to do so.

There are plenty of Royal Oak drivers whose vehicles are running after 150,000 or 200,000 miles (240,000 or 320,000 kilometers). We can learn from what they're doing to keep our own vehicles on the road in Michigan.

The Royal Oak drivers of high-mileage cars often report a common denominator of never skipping an oil change.

That may sound a bit unsophisticated, but it's really not. First off, oil is the life blood of your vehicle's engine and it needs to be clean to properly lubricate. Skipping oil changes leads to clogged oil filters and sludge that is bad for your engine.

There's another reason the scheduled oil change is so important for Royal Oak car owners. It's simple – a TLC Custom Exhaust Brakes & Tires professional is going to be looking at your car. All of your fluid levels will be inspected and topped off so they won't get so low that damage can be done. If there is a significant fluid loss, let's use brake fluid as an example, your TLC Custom Exhaust Brakes & Tires technician can look for the cause of the loss and find the problem before it leads to an accident or repair.

Your friendly and knowledgeable TLC Custom Exhaust Brakes & Tires service advisor will also visually inspect your vehicle for worn belts and hoses, uneven tire wear, leaking shock absorbers and more. Problems get addressed before they lead to repairs that cost more than the car's worth.

Realistically, things are going to wear out as your vehicle gets older. On the way to 200,000 miles (320,000 kilometers) you'll go through several batteries, probably a couple of alternators and water pumps, a set of shocks and likely some brake rotors.

Of course, these things cost some money, but they are less than new vehicle payments in Royal Oak. With proper service at TLC Custom Exhaust Brakes & Tires and regular inspections, you'll keep surprise repairs to a minimum and more money in your wallet.

TLC Custom Exhaust Brakes & Tires
1735 N Main St
Royal Oak, Michigan 48067
248-541-8300
http://www.tlcautocareroyaloak.com

Need Service?

More articles from TLC Auto Care

Idle Talk about Engines (Causes of Rough Engine Idling)

June 9, 2025

When you slow down at stoplight, your vehicle's idle should be smooth as silk. But what happens when the engine is missing or idling roughly? That's your engine's way of telling you, "Hey, I've got something wrong with me and if you don't get someone to find out what it is, I may not start the n... More

Full Stop (Brake Master Cylinder Replacement)

June 2, 2025

When you step on your brake pedal, you want to feel confident that your vehicles going to stop. If your brakes arent working right, its a risk to your safety and the safety of others on the road. After all, youre driving a machine that weighs thousands of pounds, and you have to be able to stop... More

Light's Out! Trouble Ahead (Exterior Light Bulb Service)

May 25, 2025

Whether or not your exterior light bulbs are all working probably is not at the top of your list when you think about your vehicle. But those exterior lights are more important than you think, and they're vital to your safety and that of other drivers near you. Headlights are important. Not onl... More