How to make a car/vehicle last forever! 1996 Toyota Camry is like new. Simple Maintenance saves $!

Simple things to maintain your car/vehicle. Use hot water on your battery posts for cleaning the corrosion. Avoid cheap oil change places. Save money and diy if you can.

[@jeffkeni]

As a resident in the heart of the rust belt, I can only DREAM of having a car last 400k.

[@boondocker7964]

Ain't going to happen, I too, am a denizen of the snow/rust belt.😁

[@FrugalMeScott]

@@jeffkeni if they salt the roads, I understand.

[@FrugalMeScott]

@@boondocker7964 road salt!

[@robertdiehl9003]

Spray fluid film underneath twicea year. Will defer rust to keep you running down the road.

[@timothykeith1367]

Rust is preventative maintenance. Spray the underside with clean water after you have driven on salted roads

[@krclinton]

I handed my 1999 camry to my grandson and he still drives it!

[@FrugalMeScott]

@@krclinton that’s awesome!

[@robertdiehl9003]

Amen. Keep that running for the next 35 years please. I have a 1997 Camry 4cyl with 278k in New Jersey- I wouldn't give up this Camry even if you gave me a Lamborghini, Ferrari, Porsche, tesla and rolls Royce...

[@FrugalMeScott]

Awesome!

[@rbnhd1144]

94 Camry LE, 4 cylinder in Silverleaf, well maintained by the dealer, it was my Dads, it sits outside as I have other vehicles but its a lovely car, we use it a lot, its really nice inside, the clear is fading, it just seems sad, best car ever... I work on new cars and think my 30 year old Camry is better than the new stuff I see.

[@FrugalMeScott]

@@rbnhd1144 thank u and the older ones are absolutely great!

[@captainbeyond4350]

I agree with you, but that car was built better in 1996. The newer stuff is junk. It's made of plastic and cheap materials. Also, they weren't loaded down with computers and sensors. Keep that good old car .

[@FrugalMeScott]

@@captainbeyond4350 you are absolutely correct and thank u!

[@ibrahimqari9189]

I may disagree if you talk about the engine it is better This is Lake Speed Jr. opinion

[@FrugalMeScott]

@@ibrahimqari9189 thank u for your input.

[@henrymorgan3982]

When a vehicle gets to the 400K mile stage, the act of changing oil is more important than what is being put in and replaced. BUT, if you really, really want to do it like a professional, a genuine Toyota filter (which is not expensive) and a "good" quality recommended oil gives more cushin to your engine. If you have a Toyota and are "into" Toyotas, give "The Car Care Nut" a view and you will be blown away by the creator. He is a Toyota Guru. That is the only description I can think of. I thought I like the Toyota brand, but he is the Master.

[@FrugalMeScott]

@@henrymorgan3982 thank u, I’ll check it out!

[@CP-pb3pj]

That guy Car Care gets on my nerves. 1st he talks about the all the bad things with the new Tundra and how terrible it is, then a year later he goes out and buys one. I don’t trust him at all.

[@FrugalMeScott]

@@CP-pb3pj I haven’t seen his vids

[@CP-pb3pj]

@@FrugalMeScott Nice Camry! They don’t make them like they used to.

[@FrugalMeScott]

@@CP-pb3pj thank u. I want 10 more years out of it!

[@BellaRocko]

Love your enthusiasm for keeping your old cars on the road and sharing your thoughts and tips!

[@FrugalMeScott]

@@BellaRocko absolutely and no car payment! I have more to come.

[@johnnyquid-xj4kk]

Oh man. I had a 96 till 2015 when I finally decided to buy another Toyota. Nice car.

[@FrugalMeScott]

@@johnnyquid-xj4kk thank u!

[@gregorycanady2530]

Two Toyotas......He knows the best made................and doesn't waste his money on junk......

[@FrugalMeScott]

@@gregorycanady2530 they live forever!

[@carlovanrijk4039]

@@FrugalMeScottI bought a 2015 Toyota Venza (basically a Camry crossover) last year with 100K miles. As I live in the rust belt, I plan on keeping this car garage-kept, and mininimize the winter driving. I do my own maintenance like you…hoping I can get mine to 300K - 400K miles. Thanks for the inspiration! 😃👍🏼

[@capricetony]

I have a 2009 Ford Crown Victoria that I purchased in 2017 with 62k, today I have 154k, oil change it every 6 months or 5k miles, check/change the other fluids too, keep it going 👍

[@FrugalMeScott]

@@capricetony that car will run forever!

[@bmwlane8834]

I had a 1993 Volvo I bought new....I sold it with 570,000 miles. Great old car.

[@FrugalMeScott]

That’s awesome!

[@marksreviewsandrants8554]

I just changed the oil in my truck last Saturday,the car I have to use the ramps,I did put the red protection stuff on my batterys,no acid on my post in years,I have an old fashion battery cleaning tool just in case,I just had a new AC system put in my house yesterday,I hated spending that money,but me and my youngest son was dripping sweat everyday,and using fans.

[@FrugalMeScott]

@@marksreviewsandrants8554 thank u for sharing!

[@schadlarry]

I have an 2002 Tacoma. Just turned 288K on it. I change the oil every 3-4k depending on the roadtrip/city mix. I buy the Toyota filters for under $5 each. I bought the truck new and at the time, didn't think it would be my last vehicle. Now if I can just get another 20 years/200K out of it, I'm good. The other day I saw an old Geo Metro still on the road, so that gives me a lot of hope.

[@FrugalMeScott]

Absolutely!

[@GenderSkins]

You really wanna make a car last a long time? Here’s a tip for you young bucks out there. Stop driving the car like you’re at the drag strip, the Indianapolis 500, or competing in the Baja race or a demolition derby. Take care of your ride, and keep those fluids and filters changed. And yeah I know all those things I listed are fun to do, as well as a right of passage in a way. But unless you have a few hundred thousand dollars to throw away on a new car, take care of what you got as those newer vehicles may end up costing you more then a $150,000 for just a base model pickup.

[@FrugalMeScott]

@@GenderSkins absolutely correct!

[@FrugalMeScott]

@@GenderSkins absolutely correct!

[@adairjanney7109]

uhh I disagree with using hot water to get rid of that, just use baking soda and some water then take a wire brush and make sure its cleaned real nice and then put some dielectric grease on it so it never happens again

[@FrugalMeScott]

@@adairjanney7109 thank u for the input

[@blusnuby2]

Any original owner(s) with 400k miles on their car, 'has my ear' when discussing it`s maintenance. 👍👍👍

[@FrugalMeScott]

Thank u. I do pretty good on maintenance but it could be better. Mainly regular oil changes.

[@joet4806]

@@FrugalMeScott what is the maintenance on the Trans? & transaxle?

[@stendecstretcher5678]

I own a 98 Corolla. Only done 93000 ks. However, serviced every 6 months. Still runs like new.

[@FrugalMeScott]

@@stendecstretcher5678 15 more years!

[@mkeller8114]

Dielectric grease is the key. One small tube will do all you vehicles, lawn tractors and anything with a battery for many many years. Never have the corrosion problem again.

[@pam5852]

Yeah, and don't use cheap accu's there gonna sweat the white battery acid😊.

[@FrugalMeScott]

@@mkeller8114 thank u for that!

[@stainlesssteve25]

Thank you from ireland sir

[@FrugalMeScott]

@@stainlesssteve25 thank u and your input is always appreciated here.

[@michaeltrower6792]

Put a little baking soda in the hot water

[@FrugalMeScott]

Thank u

[@janetwethepeople9390]

Good info. I use synthetic oil have an 08 Honda with 200k plus. Will look into that filter. Chamge oil 2x a year since i dont put miles on .

[@FrugalMeScott]

@@janetwethepeople9390 awesome and thank u for the input.

[@kingofthedots3835]

I owned one .......loved it .....had inexplicable rust on the front of the hood ....i beat that thing to death ....im not sure why i sold it ,but it stayed in the neighborhood for ten more years .....I bought a 2009 Camry in 2013 ......its up to 167,000 ......but im using oil .....its not smoking ...or dripping ..i use Castrol Synthetic

[@FrugalMeScott]

@@kingofthedots3835 thank u for the input

[@joet4806]

perhaps try the felt pads (green for the neg Terminal & red for the Pos terminal) ? Great car. My 2000 Solara at 348K. Great to hear your advice. Pls issue more videos.

[@riceburner4747]

I agree with what u say. ESPECIALLY AMSOIL. 👍

[@FrugalMeScott]

Thank u!

[@dogdooley4495]

Better oil, yes. Better engines, no. That Toyota has one of the best engines ever. Amsoil is good oil but I definitely don't recommend going over 5,000 miles between changes with a GDI engine.

[@FrugalMeScott]

@@dogdooley4495 u are correct!

[@robertsawa3407]

Talk like this living in New England!

[@FrugalMeScott]

@@robertsawa3407 we are feeling your pain!

[@462ANIMAL]

I spray my battery terminals with either fluid film or another similar rust spray.. that actually I found to not wash off the underside of the vehicles here I. Northern Ontario, salt belt .

[@FrugalMeScott]

@@462ANIMAL thank u for sharing

[@462ANIMAL]

@@FrugalMeScott I used Flexi-film this past winter , it didn’t wash off the rear quarter wheel arches..like fluid film does. Definitely clean the terminal corrosion off with hot water. I have a 95 explorer with original terminals.. the speedometer actually stopped working / counting. At 280k kms , the poor thing has seen a lot of traffic stop and go and short trips. I enjoy keeping older vehicles on the road.. I actually really like that year Toyota Camry you own .

[@FrugalMeScott]

@@462ANIMAL thank u! I plan on driving it till it drops!

[@jamesc9327]

Only one comment tonight Scott, awesome video, sir. 👍👍👍👍

[@FrugalMeScott]

@@jamesc9327 thank u!!!!

[@FrugalMeScott]

@@jamesc9327 thank u!!!!!!

[@candeffect]

I have been buying Walmart's Super Tech oil/filter products for 30 years. Never had mechanical issues. The best oil to reduce dirty blowby has the GF-6A spec. I have a 2003 Elantra GT manual, bought new. After I retired I found out GT = Geezer Transporter. 😮

[@FrugalMeScott]

Thank u

[@jefffch]

I had a Toyota once. It lasted so long it pissed me off

[@FrugalMeScott]

@@jefffch awesome!

[@BadBiden]

Newer cars use synthetic oil. 5000 Mile changes.

[@FrugalMeScott]

@@BadBiden correct

[@michaelcrockette8694]

Amsoil (and other high end oils) are terrific but they get dirty like the cheaper oils. these 20K mile oil changes are insane. if you drive between 5K and 10K every 6 months the interval should not exceed the 6 month time period.(with the high end oil).

[@FrugalMeScott]

@@michaelcrockette8694 thank u for the input!

[@pam5852]

Always used Toyota oil filters, there the best!

[@FrugalMeScott]

@@pam5852 thank u for that!

[@VictorMaxol]

In fairness better to take the battery off, clean the terminals and leads (maybe WD40), reassemble and put a little Vaseline greases all over the connectors, even better spend a few bucks on battery terminal grease. Battery problems can cause a host of down the line problems.

[@FrugalMeScott]

@@VictorMaxol well said and thank you for the advice.

[@bradyakubovic2550]

Ive got 2000 corolla 240,000 miles, bought new, lots of oil changes, i use whatever oil is on sale.

[@FrugalMeScott]

Me to!

[@PRO4XKEV]

10k mile oil changes is Stupidity. The car manufacturers are in business to sell new vehicles and new parts. Also if people do this 7k or 10k changes they will see failure after warranty runs out. I have always done 3k-4k and do it myself, I know it is done correctly and I buy quality over what a lube shop gives you. Lube shops are terrible, STAY away from them.

[@timothykeith1367]

The 10k is questionable, but when that's the rule expect the actual interval to be maybe 15,000 miles. People who are cheap enough to claim 10K probably go further. 3k to 5k is cheap when you DIY.

[@FrugalMeScott]

@@PRO4XKEV correct!

[@user-tb7rn1il3q]

It all depends on how the car is driven. An easy going driver on the highway for 12k miles is a lot easier on the engine oil than a manic in a big city that goes 3k miles.

[@FrugalMeScott]

@@user-tb7rn1il3q ok

[@truthbetold-jq8iw]

I made it to 5:30 and I'm dizzy, bye.

[@FrugalMeScott]

@@truthbetold-jq8iw don’t let the door hit u in the a..

[@boondocker7964]

It's supposed to be "dang hot", in SouthEast Georgia, isn't it? Can't imagine it not being, just sayin.😁

[@FrugalMeScott]

@@boondocker7964 lol! That’s right!

[@adairjanney7109]

I do mine every 3000

[@FrugalMeScott]

@@adairjanney7109 perfect and thank u!

[@charlesleake930]

get the oil additive at green auto technology ....you will Never look back .....Jay ....ask me any question ....rebuilds worn areas in engines ...and reduces friction at a lever almost unbelievable

[@FrugalMeScott]

@@charlesleake930 thank u

[@charlesleake930]

@@FrugalMeScott thanks man ....been around cars since i worked for Race Teams back in the early 80's - Look up the ' Whittington Bros ' ...935 Porsche K3 Kremer ...i think out of the box...i can make any car last for ever....take a look and get back to me ... Jay

[@charlesleake930]

@@FrugalMeScott in addition there is an oil that is PURE synthetic .. (no petroleum base ) that has a 10 year 150,000 mile NO CANGE guarantee.... called synlube ... been in business since 1969 - you have not clue as to what is possible once you get away from the " Mass " produced crap ... again ask me any question Jay Fox Fuel Man for the winning Group 44 Triumph TR8 at the 1980 12 Hours of sebring : ) ( back in the day - as they say )

[@FrugalMeScott]

@@charlesleake930 I sure will and thank u!

[@charlesleake930]

@@FrugalMeScott just have an open mind...that is all i ask.... friction reduction by 90% is possible.....they just hide it ( bad for business as they say ) Jay Fox

[@ibrahimqari9189]

Man, you forgot something It is a Toyota Camry Watch this guy: Lake Speed Jr. Engine type make a whole different story

[@FrugalMeScott]

@@ibrahimqari9189 thank u!

[@user-pc3rt3ln9h]

Want to take you seriously, but you need a new battery, That acid is from a bad battery. #2 Wheres the gas cap door?,,, Geez.....

[@FrugalMeScott]

@@user-pc3rt3ln9h incorrect. The battery shows full power on a tester. Corrosion happens.

[@user-pc3rt3ln9h]

@@FrugalMeScott All lead acid batteries vent some acid. However, if your having to clean major corrosion from the battery cables more than once a year, it could be a sign that the battery may be getting over charged or that it may have a shorted cell. Either way that is not normal corrosion.

[@FrugalMeScott]

@@user-pc3rt3ln9h for your information, the 29 year old car that in near perfect condition had a failure on the plastic tabs that the door in place. I will repair it very soon as I approach 402,000 miles. Thank u.

[@FrugalMeScott]

@@user-pc3rt3ln9h thank u

[@user-pc3rt3ln9h]

@@FrugalMeScott you are welcome, Thats a nice Camry u have.... i just sold my 2003 Camry 291,00 K and i still got $$$ for it. Camrys are amazing..my 2006 is going to make it past 330 K easily!