Easy DIY car maintenance tips to help your car live a long life

If you really love your car, you probably want to keep it in tip-top shape for as long as possible.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the average age of a car on U.S. roads is almost 13 years old, so many people are doing everything they can to keep their old reliable set of wheels going for well over a decade.

Things like regularly changing your oil, taking care of your battery, keeping vehicle fluids full and keeping your windshield covered can help your car survive for the long run. It would also help to keep a few unexpected items in your car, too.

Here is a low-stress car maintenance checklist to help you get the most out of your vehicle.

Protecting your battery

When a car is outside, the components under your hood can get hot, including your battery. This could lead the electrolyte fluid inside to evaporate, which will result in corrosion and weaken it. Try to park in the shade or a garage to limit the heat. This won't guarantee that it will remain unharmed by the high temperatures, but it's a start.

If you live in an area with scorching hot summers, you should look into getting an AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) battery. They're sealed tightly so the liquid inside won't evaporate, and they last longer than traditional flooded batteries. If you plan to keep your car parked for a long period of time, then consider using a battery tender to keep it charged when not in use. AGM batteries can be bought at auto parts stores and most retail stores − like Walmart or Home Depot − for around $160 and up, while tenders cost around $50.

Check and refill your fluids

Summer heat can impact the fluids inside your car and cause them to be less effective overall. High temperatures cause engine oil to degrade faster, and the lack of lubrication will harm engine components if more oil isn't added. It can also cause transmission fluid and coolant to lose their viscosity, so you will need to add more to keep the car running properly.

Get a sunshade fitted for your vehicle

On a hot summer day, you might notice a few parked cars with an aluminum foil-looking cover pushed against the windshield. These are called sunshades, and they're meant to prevent UV rays and heat from overloading the inside of your vehicle. They can also preserve the interior from excessive sunlight, which can cause the seats and dashboard to wrinkle or crack.

Before you buy a sunshade, make sure the dimensions are compatible with your car.

Wash and dry your car often

How often you wash your car will vary depending on the time of year, where you live and if you have a garage or covered parking. If you live in an area where it snows, routine washings may be a bit difficult since many car wash businesses are closed during the colder months. Still, it's important to wash off any salt from the road that gets on your vehicle and to dry it off immediately after.

Regular washes will keep these contaminants from building up and harming your paint job over time. But when you wash your car, make sure that you dry it properly. Going to a car wash with an air dryer is your best bet. You should also use a microfiber towel to remove any leftover water, which will prevent water spots from forming and causing damage.

Keep some gear for the rain

If you're exiting your ride during a drizzle or a downpour, it's helpful if you have an umbrella and a rain poncho handy. Make sure your windshield wipers are working properly, and be aware of when they need to be swapped out for a fresh pair.

With new cars costing close to $50,000, many people are invested in keeping their existing rides going as long as they possibly can. Be sure to follow your manufacturer's recommended maintenance and oil change schedule, check your fluids often, keep things clean, and you'll be good to go for a long while.

Keenan Thompson is a car culture reporter for the Detroit Free Press. Contact Keenan at kthompson@freepress.com. Keith Laing is an automotive trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact Keith at klaing@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Easy DIY car maintenance tips to help your car live a long life

Reporting by Keenan Thompson and Keith Laing, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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This story was originally published July 6, 2026 at 3:52 PM.