A vehicle warranty only lasts so long. If an extended auto warranty is not purchased, most manufacture warranties only last up to five years, the time that is least likely to experience major breakdowns or wear and tear. Most warranties draw up a scheduled maintenance plan for drivers to follow in order to keep the car running at its best. Even when the vehicle warranty has expired, it is important to maintain this schedule to ensure the car's performance.

A car that is not regularly maintained may lose up to a third of its lifespan, regardless of the vehicle warranty. That could be the difference between a car that goes 300,000 miles without breaking down to a car that only goes 100,000 miles before dying. Most repair stores have a list of cars, their makes and models, and how often parts should be checked and updated.

The most important aspect to keep up is the oil and oil filter. The oil keeps everything lubed and running smoothly, and without it the engine can die and cost thousands of dollars to replace. Oil that is dirty or low on the dipstick needs to be replaced. Regardless, the oil and the oil filter should be replaced everything 3,000 miles or every six months, whichever comes first.

Another essential check-up concerns the coolant. Coolant keeps the engine from running too hot. If the coolant gets low or dirty then the car can overheat and stop working and the radiator may suffer massive damage. With most cars, the antifreeze should be changed every two years, or every 30,000 miles. If the coolant is any color other than yellow-green it should be changed regardless of how much time has passed. Brake and power steering fluids should also be monitored and replaced according to the maintenance program.

Cars do not wear down at the same rate as others of similar makes, and parts within cars do not break down at similar rates either. Most parts need periodic check-ups. Other elements to check are emissions, filters and spark plugs. It is best to discover the failing pieces before they actually break down, since that could cause larger and more expensive damage to the rest of the car.

Just because the vehicle warranty expires does not mean that measures should not be taken to keep the car out of the repair shop. Simple and regular maintenance can take care of that.