Drivers are holding on to their cars longer than ever. In fact, the average age of a vehicle on the road is at an all time high of nearly 11 years old. Some motorists may not be aware of how to get the most out of their cars, however. Luckily, there are a number of small steps you can take to ensure your ride makes it to 10 years and beyond.

Taking fewer short trips can go a long way in extending the life of your car. It may not seem like it makes a difference, but according to Cars.com, trips of less than 10 minutes can take their toll on a vehicle. The reason is due largely to the fact that there's not enough time for the engine to get up to its operating temperature, which means some water may stay around in your engine and exhaust and cause rust. If short trips are a must, experts recommend changing your oil more frequently.

You should also try not to drive around with excess weight too often. If your car is carrying around a lot of heavy items that you don't need, it can cause significant wear and tear on crucial systems, Cars.com says. Additionally, you may want to take off anything that causes drag, like a roof rack or cargo carrier, when they're not in use.

Of course, making sure that you follow a regular maintenance schedule might be the most important thing that determines the life of your car. Simple procedures like getting the oil changed or getting new air filters may seem small, but it makes a big difference. Not only that, but if you take your car to a mechanic for regular upkeep, they may spot serious problems before they snowball.

There are few things more important to a car than its brakes. Having brakes that function properly is crucial to how your car drives but it also has an impact on safety. Despite the importance of the component, some people may not know when they have to get their brakes looked at and replaced. Luckily, there are a few signs that can tell you when it's time to have your car looked at.

It may seem difficult to know when you need a brake job. After all, there is no set mileage for when brake linings are worn down to the minimum level, and a lot can depend on how and where you drive your car. This makes paying close attention to subtle indicators that much more important.

One of the most obvious signs you need a brake job is if there is a squealing or grinding noise coming from your wheels when you apply the brakes. According to AOL Autos, the noise is actually caused by indicators put in place to tell you it's time to get new pads.

Having trouble accelerating can also be a symptom of a brake problem. In this case, the drag may be caused by the fact that emergency brake cables are frozen due to rust, which can be avoided by  regularly using it.

Pulling to one side should tip you off to an issue with your brakes. This can happen for a number of different reasons including having brakes that are adjusted incorrectly, leaking brake fluid or spilled oil or grease.

If you notice any of these indicators you may want to head to New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Car Care center to get your brakes looked at.

Sometimes it may seem like expensive car repairs are unavoidable. After all, things happen and you just have to bite the bullet and pay for a costly fix. However, other times that is simply not the case, and the repair could have been avoided with a little preventative maintenance or by paying close attention to how your car is running. With that in mind, MSN Autos recently provided what it considers to be the most expensive car repairs you should keep an eye out for.

A catalytic converter is crucial to detoxifying exhaust emissions, which can be especially important to people looking to reduce their carbon footprint. Though many of them are built to last 15 to 20 years, sometimes a misfire or broken oxygen sensors can significantly shorten their lifespan. Due to their pricey parts, a new one can cost nearly $3,000.

The injection pump is one of the most important parts of car, as it is responsible for delivering fuel into the engine cylinders. Unfortunately, it can sometimes become clogged, which requires it to be changed. In smaller cars, the fix is not too expensive, but in SUVs and trucks it can labor intensive. Luckily, regular maintenance like routinely changing air filters can prevent the problem, the news source reports.

Cylinder failure can be one of the biggest issues a driver faces, but the good thing is that it can be caught early by addressing smaller problems like misfires. However, if the warning signs are ignored, it can lead to repair costing as much as $8,000.

"There are typically many warning signs," Art Jacobsen of CarMD.com told the news source.

Sometimes repairs are inevitable, and in that case you should head to New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Car Care center. Located in Jersey City and open to the public, the center offers everything from general upkeep to fixes.