Essential Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Car Running as Long as Possible

We often get asked, “How can I make my car last forever?”

Well, forever might be a bit of a stretch, but you’d be surprised at how close you can get if you take care of your ride. Keeping up with scheduled service and other auto maintenance may seem like a pain, but compared to dealing with a breakdown, it’s a breeze.

If you’re interested in keeping your Kia on the road as long as possible, check out these important maintenance tips for drivers near Panama City and beyond.

Check Oil and Other Fluids

Pretty much everyone knows about oil changes. Assuming you’re using the manufacturer’s recommended type, you should have the oil and filter changed about every 5,000 miles or 6 months.

However, there are many other kinds of fluids that often go overlooked. Here are a few important ones, according to the 2024 Kia Sportage owner’s manual:

• Brake fluid: Inspect every 8,000 miles or 12 months, change every 48,000 miles or 4 years.
• Engine coolant: At first, replace at 120,000 miles or 10 years. After, replace every 24,000 miles or 2 years.
• A/C refrigerant: Inspect every 8,000 miles or 12 months.

Keep Your Tires in Good Shape

Ensuring that your tires are properly inflated is a key aspect of safety while driving, and it’ll also help you get the maximum lifespan out of them. Luckily, modern vehicles have tire pressure monitoring sensors, which will alert you if pressure gets too low. And if you have an older car, it’s good to invest in a tire pressure gauge.

Another essential way to maintain tire health is to have them rotated about every 10,000 miles, or every other oil change. This is done because the front tires tend to wear down a little quicker, and rotating them out prevents them from wearing unevenly.

Replace the Brakes

Being able to stop your 3,000-pound hunk of metal is pretty important, and keeping up with brake service is one of the best ways to prevent accidents and keep your car on the road for the long haul.

Whenever you have your brake fluid inspected, a service tech will also check your brake lines, hoses, connections, pads and discs.

So, how often should brake pads be replaced? It’s hard to give a definitive answer because it largely depends on the individual’s driving style and the material of the pads themselves. This is why it’s pivotal to visually inspect them every so often. When your service tech does a brake job, it’s recommended to replace the pads and rotors at the same time.

Stay on Top of the Battery

Without a properly working battery, you run the risk of being stranded waiting for a jump, and a dud battery can also put extra strain on other parts of the car’s charging system like the alternator.

Batteries are another part that don’t have a specific set lifespan—they typically last about 3 to 5 years, but it’s not unheard of for some to last 10 years if they’re taken care of. When inspecting the battery, clean any corrosion off the terminals with a wire brush and a water/baking soda mixture. It’s also a good idea to use a multimeter to test the voltage on a regular basis.

Don’t Forget Spark Plugs

Another often-overlooked engine part is the spark plugs, which are responsible for igniting the fuel-air mixture inside the engine. It’s easy to forget all about them because many owner’s manuals only recommend replacing them every 100,000 miles or so. For this reason, many service specialists recommend having an extensive tune-up when your odometer hits the six-figure mark.

Change the Air Filters

Your car has two main air filters. The engine air filter filters debris from entering the motor’s internal workings, while the cabin air filter does the same thing for the passenger compartment of the car.

Engine air filters generally last about 3 years, while cabin air filters last about 2 years. However, you may need to change them out more frequently if you drive in excessively dusty or sandy conditions.

Make Sure Your Lights Work

Once a month, check your head lamps, high beams, taillights, and brake lights to ensure all are working properly, and change them immediately if they aren’t. Making sure that all lights are functioning is vital for preventing wrecks, especially during nighttime driving.

One Last Tip: Buy the Most Dependable Brands

When you drive a Kia, you can drive with confidence knowing that you’re in one of the most dependable cars, and you’ll also be backed by an industry-leading warranty.

At Step One Kia Fort Walton Beach, we pride ourselves on top-notch service, and our goal is to keep you on the road as long as possible. If you want to make sure your car stays in good shape for almost forever, contact us online or give our Kia service center a call at (855) 755-0473. While you’re at it, be sure to ask about our service specials and coupons.