Why Is My Check Engine Light On? Rodents Might Be to Blame!

These days, keeping your car longer just makes sense. New vehicle prices, rising interest rates, higher registration fees, and insurance costs have more folks than ever asking: 👉 “ How do I make my car last longer?” At Wayside Garage, we specialize in helping our clients get the most life out of their vehicles with affordable, preventative maintenance — and we’ve been doing it for generations. Why Car Maintenance Is Smarter Than Buying New The cost to maintain your current car is dramatically lower than replacing it. Here’s a quick comparison: Maintaining your vehicle: About $0.25–$0.30 per mile Buying new or newer: Anywhere from $0.80 to $1.20 per mile That’s a huge difference. We even have a cost-to-own video that breaks this down in more detail — just ask and we’ll send it to you! Tips to Make Your Car Last Longer Want to protect your vehicle (and your wallet)? Here’s how: 🔧 Stick to a Maintenance Schedule We recommend servicing your vehicle at least twice a year — ideally every four months. At Wayside Garage, we make it easy by pre-scheduling priority reservations for our customers. Here’s what to keep up with: Oil & filter changes Fluid checks & top-offs Battery & charging system tests (especially before colder weather) Brake inspections at least once a year Belts, hoses & filter checks annually 🚨 Don’t Ignore Warning Signs If you hear a strange noise or see a warning light, don’t wait. Catching small issues early can save you thousands and avoid roadside breakdowns. 🛞 Rotate & Align Tires A yearly wheel alignment protects your suspension, brakes, and tires — and improves fuel economy too. Real Customer Example: 300,000+ Miles Strong One of our long-time customers drives a Volkswagen we’ve maintained since it was nearly new. He just passed 300,000 miles — and it’s still going strong. Recently, we caught his wheel bearings needing replacement before they failed. The repair cost him around $800–$1,000 — less than one month’s payment on a new car. That fix will last him years, and he avoided a breakdown entirely. Be Proactive, Not Reactive That’s our best advice in one word: Proactive. Plan ahead. Know what’s coming. Spread out services to avoid big surprises. And treat your car like your body — the more care you give it, the longer it’ll serve you well. Need Help Keeping Your Car Running? At Wayside Garage in Seaside, CA , we’ve got your back. Our certified technicians follow a proven maintenance plan based on nearly 40 years of experience to keep your car safe, efficient, and long-lasting. 📞 Call us today at (831) 899-2425 or stop by to schedule your next service.