Essential Vehicle Maintenance for High-Mileage Ride-Hailing Cars

A friend of mine sent me a picture of his dashboard the other day. The clock read over 180,000 kilometers.

His Toyota Passo wasn’t just a car anymore. It was a high-mileage veteran of Nairobi’s streets. It had survived the Thika Road jams, navigated the potholes of Eastlands, and made countless airport runs at 3 AM.

He used to think a basic oil change every now and then was enough. He treated maintenance like an annoying expense, something to be put off until a warning light screamed at him or a strange noise became too loud to ignore.

That mindset cost him KSh 25,000 on a Tuesday.

A snapped fan belt left him stranded on the side of Waiyaki Way during the evening rush hour. He lost a full day’s income, paid for a tow truck, and then faced a hefty repair bill. It was a painful, expensive lesson. A high-mileage car isn't a liability. It's an asset that requires a business plan. Ignoring its needs isn't saving you money; it's just delaying a much larger bill.

Your car is your business partner.

It’s your primary employee.

And with over 180,000 kilometers on the clock, it needs more than just basic care. It needs a proactive wellness plan to keep it on the road, earning you money, and away from the mechanic's garage.

The Foundation: Your Proactive Maintenance Schedule

For a ride-hailing driver, the manufacturer's service schedule is just a starting point. You're not a typical driver. You put more stress on your vehicle in a week than most people do in a month.

Your schedule needs to be based on kilometers, not time.

I recommend creating a simple maintenance checklist. You can use a notebook you keep in your glovebox or a simple Google Sheet on your phone. This isn't just about remembering; it's about taking professional ownership of your biggest asset.

Here’s how to break down your high-mileage maintenance plan into manageable, business-saving steps.

1. The Lifeblood: Fluids and Filters

Think of your car's fluids as its blood. When they are clean and at the right level, everything runs smoothly. When they are old and dirty, it’s like poison to your engine.

Engine Oil: This is non-negotiable. For a high-mileage car working in Nairobi traffic, you cannot stick to the 8,000 or 10,000 km interval. You need to change your oil and filter every 5,000 kilometers. Full stop. Using high-quality, fully synthetic oil is not an expense; it’s an investment. It handles the high heat of constant traffic far better and protects your engine's older parts.

Transmission Fluid: This is the most overlooked fluid. A failing transmission can cost you upwards of KSh 80,000 to replace. Check your fluid every 20,000 km. If it’s dark brown or smells burnt, it’s time for a change.

Coolant (Antifreeze): Your engine lives and dies by its temperature. A coolant flush every 40,000 km is cheap insurance against overheating, which can destroy an engine.

Filters (Air and Cabin): A clogged engine air filter suffocates your engine, killing your fuel economy. A dirty cabin air filter fills your car with dust and fumes. Both are cheap and easy to replace every 10,000-15,000 km. You’ll notice the difference in performance and air quality immediately.

You can track the impact of these changes directly in the RiderPal app. After changing your air filter, watch your fuel efficiency in the Performance Analytics tab. You'll see the kilometers per litre go up. That’s not magic; that’s smart maintenance paying you back.

2. The Connection to the Road: Tyres, Brakes, and Suspension

These are your safety systems. On our roads, you cannot afford to compromise on them.

Tyres: Your tyres are your only contact with the tarmac.

• Alignment: Get your alignment checked every 10,000 km or anytime you hit a serious pothole. Misalignment will destroy your tyres and hurt your fuel economy.
• Rotation: Rotate your tyres every 5,000 km (during your oil change). This ensures they wear evenly and last longer.
• Pressure: Check your tyre pressure weekly. The correct pressure is written on a sticker inside your driver-side door. This is one of the easiest ways to save on fuel.

Brakes: Don’t wait for the grinding sound. That’s the sound of a big bill. If you hear a high-pitched squeak, get your brake pads checked. When replacing them, don't just buy the cheapest option. Good quality brake pads last longer and, more importantly, could save your life.

Suspension: If your car feels unusually bouncy or you notice uneven wear on your tyres, your shocks and struts are likely worn out. Given our roads, this is inevitable. Worn suspension doesn't just make for an uncomfortable ride for your passengers; it affects your braking distance and handling.

3. The Powerhouse: Engine and Electrical Systems

After 100,000 km, some core components are nearing the end of their designed life. Replacing them proactively is always cheaper than dealing with the damage they cause when they fail.

Timing Belt/Chain: This is the big one. If your car has a timing belt, it has a specific replacement interval (usually around 100,000 km). Check your owner’s manual. If that belt snaps, your engine is likely destroyed. It’s a catastrophic failure. The replacement cost (maybe KSh 15,000-25,000) is a fraction of the cost of a new engine.

Spark Plugs: Old spark plugs cause misfires, poor performance, and terrible fuel economy. High-quality iridium plugs can last up to 100,000 km, but it’s wise to check them during a major service.

Battery: Look for white or blueish corrosion on the terminals. Clean it off with a wire brush and baking soda solution. If your car is struggling to start in the morning, that’s the first sign your battery is on its way out. Don’t wait for it to die completely.

Logging every service in the RiderPal expense tracker is crucial here. When you log a "Major Service" with a breakdown of parts like "Timing Belt," you create a digital history. You can easily look back and see exactly when it was last changed, taking the guesswork out of these critical replacements.

Your Car is Your Business. Insure Its Future.

Thinking of maintenance as a cost is a rookie mistake. Proactive maintenance is an investment in your uptime, your safety, and your profitability.

Every shilling you spend preventing a problem is worth ten shillings in cure.

A well-maintained car is reliable. It’s efficient. It’s safe for you and your passengers. It’s a professional office that you can be proud of. By creating a schedule, tracking your expenses, and listening to what your car is telling you, you transform from just a driver into a professional fleet manager of one.

Your car got you this far. A smart maintenance plan is how you’ll ensure it takes you, and your business, even further.

Ready to take control of your vehicle's health and your business's profit? Download RiderPal today to track every maintenance expense and monitor your car’s fuel performance. It’s the smartest tool in your glovebox.