The very best thing you can do is to change the oil (and filter) regularly! My grandpa says gas is optional but keep that oil fresh and full!
Changing the air filter helps too, especially if you live in a dusty area. Just regularly make sure the other fluids are full, including oil, water, power steering, brake fluid in the clutch, tranny fluids, etc. Same thing pp mentioned basically. If you don't check them every time you fill up, at least check them every time you plan to drive more than "whatever" miles. I always check them before I make a 45 mile trip, but I don't check them everytime I go 4 miles to work, kwim?
Check your belts, they are made of rubber and they get dry, cracked and rotted. The main drive belt is in the front right behind the radiator and it's MUCH easier to replace as it gets old rather than having it break on the road somewhere. Same thing with radiator hoses, they are rubber and you can tell if they are getting very bad. Easier to replace at home than in the parking lot somewhere.
If you don't flush the radiator (my dad says it's not always necessary) you need to add some kind of protective solution - sold near the antifreeze - every year or so to protect the water pump. It's kindof like oil for the cooling system. Maybe someone else knows the name of the stuff??? I just know it's in a small bottle and the same brand as the regular antifreeze. You can just drain out a small amount of the old water/antifreeze, add the protectant stuff, after you run the car be sure to make sure to check that it's filled back up with water because sometimes it will get an air bubble.
Make sure your tires stay aired up and in good condition. If they start deflating slowly (needing some air every week or so) it's time to replace them, even if there's still good tred. Being gentle on your brakes makes them last a whole lot longer but obviously get them checked out every year or so. Mine have been fine for about 4 years, but it totally depends on your driving.
There is always that pesty alternator and battery. You should just plan on replacing the battery and alternator. Say you have a "5 year battery" I'd save up the money for a new one when it's 4 years old, coz it's on it's last leg by then. I replaced my alternator before it went bad, so no real tips there except that the "core charge" for an alternator is $50 so you want to BE SURE to take the old one back with the receipt and get that refunded. If you replace the battery, consider replacing the cables as well - especially if they look bad. I know two people that got new batteries installed and no one even told them that their cables were so corooded. I had to replace DH's cables in the Wal-Mart parking lot, and my neighbor's in the snow in our apartment parking lot. A new battery doesn't do any good if the cables are corroded to bits.
You are supposed to replace the spark plugs and wires every so often, but my dad said it's not major important. When one goes bad, it just happens, and you can just replace them all at one time. Or you can check the schedule in the books or with your mechanic.
Eventually you will have to replace a fuel filter. Simple, inexpensive part, but get someone who knows about it to do the work because the fuel line is pressurized. There are small amounts of water and contaminants in gasoline, and they will clog up the fuel filter with time. The car gets kindof sluggish, doesn't get fuel as well so it doesn't accelerate as well, etc. I replaced mine after about 3 years. My family also uses some kind of gas cleaner (like HEET brand) pretty often when the weather is wet. I like to use some Lucas brand carbon-removing fuel treatment once in a while to clean the engine.
My mom's Dodge minivan lasted well over 200k miles (and still runs but it's not the main car anymore), and my Ford Ranger is on about 250k so there is hope. The problem is that around 150k things wear out, after you replace a bunch of things you're high rolling again for a while
: ...but what else do I need to do? I've never been in charge of car maintenance before.
: Hafta try it next time I guess.
I know my truck drives a LOT easier if you let it warm up as little as 3 minutes. That sort of thing depends on the car I'm sure.
