The average driver today estimates that a vehicle should go for more than 200,000 miles before sending it into retirement, according to a new national survey conducted by Kelton Research. With nearly nine in 10 vehicle owners more concerned with engine upkeep than their vehicle’s aesthetics on the inside or outside, car owners are looking for as much longevity out of their vehicle as possible.

The survey also finds that 85 percent of drivers are more concerned about the longevity of their vehicles, compared to their homes. With engine health top-of-mind with consumers in today’s economic climate, the time to pay extra attention to your vehicle to help keep it running healthy is now.

Even though some cars might not run as well as they used to once they reach 75,000 miles, car owners do not begin to consider their vehicle “old” until it hits the 147,000 mile mark. The reality: It’s never too early to take the extra steps to promote long vehicle life.

One of the most effective ways to help keep your high-mileage car “running young” is using a high-quality motor oil formulated for that purpose. Quaker State Defy, the motor oil designed to more effectively meet the changing needs of higher mileage engines and help these engines defy time, is formulated to help higher mileage engines fight wear. The technology in new Quaker State Defy motor oil makes it so durable that independent tests prove it can virtually stop future wear in the engine. For more information, visit www.quakerstate.com.

Here are a few additional tips:

Change engine oil frequently
Sticking with the topic of motor oil, proper lubrication is tantamount to an engine’s health, so you need to regularly replace your engine oil and oil filter. Frequent oil changes can prevent the buildup of harmful deposits that rob fuel economy and power, as well as make internal components work harder. Keeping your vehicle’s fluids new and clean is priority No. 1 when it comes to making sure your car hangs around for a long while.

Follow your vehicle owner’s manual for your recommended service intervals.

Check your tires
You can improve your gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure. Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by three tenths of a percent for every 1 pounds per square inch drop in pressure of all four tires. Properly inflated tires are safer and last longer. The proper tire pressure for your vehicle is usually found on a sticker in the driver’s side door jamb or the glove box and in your owner’s manual. Do not use the maximum pressure printed on the tire’s sidewall.

Tune it up
Fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4 percent, though results vary based on the kind of repair and how well it is done.

Check your air filter
Replacing a clogged air filter on cars with fuel-injected, computer-controlled gasoline engines does not improve fuel economy but it can improve acceleration time by around 6 to 11 percent, according to a study prepared for the Department of Energy. This kind of engine is prevalent on most gasoline cars manufactured from the early 1980s onward.

—(ARA)