I’ve seen lines–LINES–at local car dealerships lately. That’s because people are have gone crazy for the Cash for Clunkers program.

Sure it’s great for the auto industry and those who were going to buy a new car anyway. But why spend money on a new car if your old one runs just fine? Does it make sense to spend $20,000 to save $4,500 on the cash back?

That said, here are five tips from the Car Care Council on how to keep your car running as long as possible so that it doesn’t become a clunker.

1. Change the oil and filter every 3,000 to 5,000 miles or per the owner’s manual. Periodic oil and filter changes keep your engine clean on the inside.
2. Check the tire pressure at least monthly, including the spare. Your car’s tires affect its ride, handling, traction and safety.
3. Schedule a tune-up annually to optimize your car’s performance. A well-tuned engine delivers the best balance of power and fuel economy, and produces the lowest level of emissions.
4. Have the alignment checked at least annually. Potholes and other road conditions, as well as normal wear, can take their toll on your car’s steering and suspension. A wheel alignment reduces tire wear, improves fuel economy and handling, and increases driving enjoyment and safety.
5. Inspect the windshield wipers and lights on the car. Lights and wipers play a major role in safe driving, and they are normal wear items that need periodic replacement.

Speaking of lights and wipers, here’s a 6th tip I’d add–I’ll explain the connection shortly: Always check with your car’s manufacturer for any recalls or “service bulletins.” We recently discovered that our Honda Accord has two such “bulletins” for the windshield wiper motor and the dashboard lights. So we were able to bring the car in to a dealer and get those fixes done for free.