Milstead Automotive gives car care tips for the new year

THE WOODLANDS, Texas – It’s a brand new year. Starting every January, ads abound for the newer model cars, promising sleek features and more power. As enticing as a new car may be, many Americans are choosing to hold on to their older vehicles in the face of an uncertain economy. Keeping an older car can save money, but it’s imperative to maintain and take care of older vehicles, to keep them in good working order.

Mark Orsack, Service Manager for Milstead Automotive, offers the following updates for making an older vehicle seem like new.


Change the oil – Older vehicles benefit from more frequent oil changes. “A rule of thumb is to change the oil every three to four months or after 3,000 to 5,000 miles,” Orsack said. “Don’t wait for the low-oil light to come on; nothing will shorten engine life faster than missed oil changes.” Orsack recommends having the oil filter replaced with each oil change.

Get new tires – Tires deteriorate with age, especially in hot climates. “New tires improve the performance and appearance of your car,” Orsack said. “Tires should also be rotated after every 6,000 miles or with every other oil change, and be sure they’re properly inflated.”

Clean the interior and exterior – “A good wash and wax will protect your clear coat finish and make the paint last longer on your vehicle,” Orsack said. “Cleaning the dashboard and upholstery will make your vehicle seem like new.”

Stay on top of routine maintenance – Orsack said, “You should replace the engine coolant, belts, air filters, spark plugs and transmission fluid a little more often than the manufacturer’s recommendations.” He recommends fluid flushes every 30,000 miles.

Check the trim around doors – “The rubber trim around car doors is vulnerable to tears as it ages,” Orsack said. “If they are brittle, cracked or ragged they should be replaced.” Installing new weather stripping will help reduce road noise.

Check the headlights – Orsack said, “Vehicles built during the last couple of decades usually have plastic composite headlamps that weather and dull over time.” He suggests performing a headlamp restoration process and then replacing the headlamps if this does not work.

Other, more pricey fixes that can revitalize an old car include a new paint job, replacing the seats, upgrading the sound system, or putting in a new air conditioner. “With an older car you will see deterioration from age,” Orsack said, “but with some TLC, your trusty family car will see you through a few more years.”

The professionals at Milstead Automotive, located at 29707 W. Hawthorne in Spring, are committed to providing exceptional service and customer care. Call Milstead Automotive at 281-367-3535 to schedule routine maintenance, or visit their website at www.milsteadautomotive.com.