F. Fix stuff before it breaks. Call it maintenance.
My wife thinks I'm nuts when I'm replacing stuff that still works, just because it's been on there a while. If you go past 120k miles on a SBC with a stock timing chain set, you are pushing it. (Maybe literally!) I change the oil too often, and the filter every time the oil gets changed. I paid to have my automatic overhauled (A man's got to know his limitations... H. Callahan) but the first time it ever did anything I didn't like, in it went.
She also says I carry more tools in the Suburban than most guys own. She didn't say a word though when the alternator died suddenly 500 miles from home and I changed it out in a parking lot while she shopped. The only thing that griped me about that deal was I had to pay retail for the alternator. Around here I get the trade discount.
174K miles on the old 'burb and showing no signs of slowing down. (other than the body, that is...)
Here's another good tip... Take the spark plugs out every year and inspect them. Rub a drop of oil into the threads before you put them back in. I know the book says they can go 100k miles, but if you ever break one off in the hole because it hasn't been out for years, you'll be pulling the head off to get it fixed.
