What Maintenance Does a Car Need at 100,000 Miles?

How to Prepare for 100,000 Miles and Beyond

If your car made it to 100,000 miles, congratulations! But don’t panic, vehicles are made better and, if properly cared for, will take you well beyond this milestone. So, there’s no need to buy a new car....unless, of course, you want to! Your car’s telling you it’s time for service, but you’re probably asking yourself: What maintenance does a car need at 100,000 miles?

While there’s no universal list of repairs, there are some definite areas that shouldn’t get ignored when the 100,000 rolls around. And if you have a fleet of vehicles for your business operations, getting to that milestone may be relatively easy to do, so you will want to ensure these vehicles last to the next milestone.

The best place to start is with the maintenance schedule for your vehicle. Since every vehicle is different, not all items apply to every car or truck. If you have lost your manual, they are usually easy to find online. Or you can ask for advice at your auto repair shop.

What parts should be inspected at 100,000 miles?

Brakes, Brake Lines, Hoses & Connections

Brakes are vitally important! Check your brake pads and/or shoes to make sure that they are not too worn. If you have disc brakes, inspect the rotors for signs of uneven wear, pitting, or warping. If you do notice anything in bad shape, your rotors should be turned. When you have your rotors turned or replaced, it’s a good idea to replace the brake pads as well.

It’s better to invest in high-quality brake pads because you get what you pay for! The cheap ones don’t last very long. Plus, high-quality pads are more efficient and will allow you to stop your vehicle more quickly.

Rotate Tires and Check the Air Pressure

This is a great milestone to have your tires thoroughly checked out. Check their inflation level and tread depth. Also look for signs of uneven wear, cracking, and bulging. This is also a good time to have them rotated. If the tires have uneven wear, or if your car pulls to one side, it may be time for an alignment too.

If you’re going to replace your tires, it's always best to do all four of them at the same time. If you can't afford four tires, you can purchase two; just make sure they’re either the front pair or rear pair. Choosing high-quality tires will result in improved handling, acceleration, and braking. Quality tires will also optimize fuel consumption.

All Fluid Levels

Think of fluids as the lifeline of your vehicle. Dirt and debris can clog your engine over time, leading to an expensive repair. Plus, many fluids have additives that lose their effectiveness over a period of time. This is why the 100,000-mile mark is a great time to replace fluids like the oil, transmission fluid, coolant, power steering fluid, and brake fluid with new and clean liquids. Sometimes certain fluids will reside in a permanently sealed reservoir so it’s not possible (or necessary) to replace those.

Exhaust System

Do you hear a loud, rattling sound? This could be your exhaust system living out its final days. Have it checked for wear and tear, holes, and leaks. It may be time for a replacement!

Boots, Drive Belts, Seals, and Driveshaft

Serpentine belts are made of a special kind of rubber designed to work efficiently in a hot engine compartment. But as the old adage goes, “nothing lasts forever.” It’s good to inspect all belts for signs of cracking, missing ribbing, marring, striping, general brittleness, or uneven wear. One or more of these signs, and it’s time for a new belt. If a belt is unevenly wearing, a pulley or belt tensioner also needs to be replaced.

Steering, Suspension, and Tie Rod Ends

Once your vehicle reaches 100,000 miles, it’s a good time to check the condition of these parts. Steering and suspension problems not only cause steering issues, but they also affect the wear on your tires. You can avoid all that by ensuring your steering fluid is changed and having your shocks inspected professionally. If one of these components is making odd noises, or you have a loose steering wheel or uneven tire wear, you may need a complete overhaul. Unfortunately, when one starts to go, the others soon follow.

Fuel Lines, Hoses, and Connections

The fuel pump will last around 100,000 miles. However, if it begins surging fuel towards the engine or not delivering enough fuel, you should have it checked regardless of the mileage.

A fuel tank will last at least 10 years. To extend the life of a fuel tank, avoid water and excess moisture if possible. If you see fuel leaking under your car, the hard fuel lines should be inspected and possibly replaced.

The hoses running fuel to components in the engine bay should be inspected whenever the car is being serviced. The fuel filter needs to be inspected and replaced the most often, generally about every 10,000-15,000 miles. With regular inspections and maintenance, the fuel system will last for a long time and provide reliable performance.

Parking Brake

Your parking brake can corrode, weaken, or snap. Like any other part of your car, it can break or malfunction for many reasons. Since you won’t know there’s a problem until you’re parked on that steep hill and really need it, it’s best to get it checked now. Though it is recommended to use your parking brake every time you park, most of us save this handy lever for a steep incline. Some vehicles also have a foot pedal or push button.

Also, make sure your brake light is not on. You could be attempting to drive with your parking brake still engaged, which could damage your brake pads and rotors.

Water Pump

A bad water pump can cause your engine to overheat. If you have a bad water pump, you may notice coolant leaking on the ground where you’ve parked. You might also see rust or a build-up of deposit, an unusual noise, steam, or overheating. All these warrant a trip to the garage. It is equally important to inspect the belt drive system that is driving the water pump. It’s often recommended to change the water pump, belt, and other drive components at the same time.

Spark Plugs

Changing your spark plugs will increase efficiency and performance. Bad spark plugs can hurt your gas mileage. If your spark plugs are going bad, you may hear the engine misfiring or have a lack of acceleration. You may also be using more fuel than normal or have difficulty starting your car.

Air Filters

A new air filter allows your car’s engine to get clean air, which is a key component in the combustion process. The air filter also prevents contaminants from getting into your car’s engine and damaging it.

How Much Will the 100,000-Mile Maintenance Cost?

The 100,000-mile maintenance is the largest and most in-depth of all of the maintenance intervals, so naturally, it is also the most costly. Your best bet is to take it in and have it inspected for all of the items above.

What maintenance does a car need at 100,000 miles? It can be a variety of any of the items above. It’s hard to give an accurate estimate because it depends on your vehicle, how well it was cared for, and what parts need to be replaced. Many modern cars with 100,000 to 150,000 miles in great condition will easily run for another 100K, which is why caring for your vehicles at regular intervals is important.