Are you determined to watch your odometer flip to 200,000 miles? 300,000 miles?

Several drivers in Consumer Reports' forum discussed how their vehicles surpassed 400,000 and even 450,000 miles. Many credited regular oil changes and other maintenance that you might be able to do yourself.

Some of the cost and effort might be attributable to the type of vehicle you purchase. Popular Mechanics calculated maintenance costs for various brands and models. In general, luxury and performance vehicles cost more to maintain, while some entry-level brands see their maintenance costs outpace other brands' after 75,000 miles.

But, now that you have the vehicle, how do you know it's getting the best maintenance? The manual offers the best maintenance guidance, but resources like this Everyday checklist and video tutorials from O'Reilly Auto Parks can be valuable, too.

Tips to remember:

1) Use a specialized high-mileage oil and change the oil every 3,000 miles. That 3,000-mile mark also is a good time to add fuel injector cleaner and to check the washer fluid, according to Everyday.

2) Once a year, you'll want to inspect the brakes, hoses and clamps and clean the battery connections. Here's how to tell if you need to replace your brakes:

3) Keep an eye on your spark plugs. Some need to be replaced every 30,000 miles; others are designed to last 100,000 miles.

4) Replace the fuel filter every 40,000 miles. Check your manual to be sure, though, as some older models need to be changed every 2 years or 30,000 miles, according to YourMechanic.com.

5) When you hit 100,000 miles, you'll want to replace the oxygen sensors (for cars built after the mid-90s) and replace the rear axle lubricant, according to Everyday.

And, if you reach a point where you're ready for a newer option, here's what O'Reilly Auto Parts suggests you do before you sell your vehicle:

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