Steering Components

There are a lot of components that go into steering your car. Over time, they’ll naturally wear out from use and 100k miles is right about when you may start to notice a change in how your car maneuvers. Even if you don’t notice a big change when driving your car, it can be dangerous if any of those parts wears out, so it’s best to head in for a simple car repair appointment to replace any necessary parts before they cause real trouble.

Don’t Forget Your Power Steering Fluid

If you haven’t had a power steering flush done yet, you should schedule one as your car approaches 100k miles. There are different opinions about the optimal frequency for having your power steering fluid flushed, but by 100k miles, it is necessary, especially if you’re still working with your original power steering fluid.

Timing Belt

In order for all the systems in your car to work together perfectly, they rely on the timing belt. Basically, it keeps everything synchronized under the hood. From normal use, it will gradually wear out over the years and miles. Right around 100k miles, it’s recommended to have the timing belt changed if you haven’t already, even if you don’t notice symptoms of it wearing out.

Listen Out for Squeaks and Squeals

Ahead of your 100k mile maintenance, keep an ear out for squeaks and squeals from under the hood of your car. While there are a number of possible causes, one is your timing belt wearing out. If your timing belt fails, not only will your car be undriveable, but you’re also in for an expensive auto repair appointment, because it can cause serious engine damage.

Transmission Fluid

Depending on your car manufacturer’s and mechanic’s opinions, you may need a transmission fluid flush before 100k miles. However, if you haven’t had one by the time you hit 100k miles, it’s time to schedule your appointment. Flushing and replacing your transmission fluid is a simple process but it has a huge impact on the working parts of your transmission and will extend the life of your car.

Make Sure Transmission Parts Aren’t Over-Worn

At the same time, it’s also a good idea to take a look at all the different parts of your transmission to make sure they don’t need to be replaced. Replacing parts before they fail will save you from a major transmission repair, as well as spreading out the expense of replacing parts of your transmission.

Spark Plugs

Depending on what type of spark plugs you have in your car, you may have to replace them every 20k miles or every 100k miles. Even if you’ve already had your spark plugs replaced before, it’s a good idea to have a mechanic take a look at them to see how much life is left at the 100k mile mark. This also goes for your O2 sensors, which are similarly easy to replace but can also cause problems with how your car drives if they’re wearing out.

Spark Plugs Keep Your Engine Happy

The spark plugs in your car help power your engine by igniting the fuel-air mixture. That means if they’re worn out or corroded, they cannot properly ignite that mixture, causing worse fuel economy and poor drivability. This can also cause damage to your engine if it goes on for a prolonged period of time, so if you suspect you may need new spark plugs, have a mechanic take a look.

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