When it comes to a car, it can be argued that the engine is one of the most important parts. When the engine is not working properly the car won't run right, and you will either have to replace your vehicle or have a new engine installed-- both options can be quite expensive. If you want to avoid buying a new car or replacing your engine, there are several things that you can do to make your car's engine last longer. Use the following tips to get as many miles as possible out of an engine:

Never Skip Oil Changes

One of the simplest ways to extend the life an your car's engine is to stay on top of oil changes. You never want to skip an oil change, since driving your car with old, dirty oil can put strain on the engine. In this day and age, different makes and models of cars require oil changes at different frequencies, so make sure that you carefully read your owners manual so you know how often you need to schedule an oil change.

Make Maintaining the Cooling System a Priority

High temperatures and heat are the enemies of an automobile's engine. When an engine is heated to a high temperature or over heats on a regular basis, there is a major problem and there is a good chance that the engine won't reach as many miles as it possibly could if it wasn't exposed to heat. One way to prevent your car's engine from over heating or getting too hot is to pay attention to the cooling system. It is a good idea to have the cooling system inspected when you bring your car in for an oil change. As a bonus, properly maintaining the cooling system can help the transmission last longer, too.

Replace Old Spark Plugs

Spark plugs play a very big role in the operation of a car engine by igniting the fuel/air mixture that powers the vehicle. Since spark plugs are constantly working while the car is in operation, they get a lot of use. When spark plugs reach the end of their lifespan and no longer work properly, the engine can begin to misfire. Misfiring is not good for any engine, so it is best to replace old, worn out spark plugs before they fail completely. If you are not sure how old the spark plugs in your engine are, have a mechanic check them to see if they need to be replaced. 

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