Car longevity is one specification that car owners are very interested to look at. The working life of a car projects if in the long end it will be an asset or a liability to the owner. Regardless, it is important to look at car longevity because our cars play a big part in our daily routines, lifestyles and careers.
Mileage
In a rough estimate made by various car bloggers and car developers, an average car can run a mileage of 150, 000 miles a year for twelve years. However, for cars with bigger engines like SUVs and Subarus, their mileages can run up to 250, 000 a year. Just imagine the distance that an average car could take. Graphically, that’s like three times the stretch from Washington DC to West Virginia.
Furthermore, what makes cars all the more efficient is that you get more than what you pay for. At an estimate, an ordinary Prius or a five seater Volvo has an average fuel efficiency of 23.6 miles per gallon. On the other hand, trucks and SUVs have a greater fuel efficiency of 38.4 miles per gallon. Statistics only provide for basic specifications that are dependent on car models. What is more important is for one to know the factors affecting car longevity.
Maintenance
Generally speaking, figures will affirm that the standard car life expectancy would be eight years depending on the maintenance of small and large car components. When large car components like battery, belts and hoses are regularly at risk, the car is said to still meet the standard eight years granting that the car will be tuned-up at least once a month.
However, if small car components are frequently torn or broken, the car life expectancy is reduced at half making the car owner use the car efficiently for four years only. These threats in car longevity might be attributed to different factors like weather conditions, road surface, number of use per day and many more. Learn more about what you can do to increase the average life of your car.
Factors Affecting Car Longevity
The factors contributing to a short or long car life expectancy are quite uniform. To get more mileage out of your car, you have to closely look into the maintenance schemes it needs. Make sure that you have regular oil changes.
To make your car go longer, have your engine oils checked once a month and buy reserves so you won’t get stuck somewhere when your car chooses to malfunction. At the same time, make sure that you are using the specific oil needed by your car or else you are just making your car life expectancy shorter.
Before leaving and upon arrival from a trip, make sure that you check your tire pressure as well as your car’s fluids (transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid, among others). Well lubricated car parts reduce incidents of friction and overheating and lessen immediate wearing down of car parts. Lubrication and car fluids as subjected to proper or poor maintenance singlehandedly determine car longevity.
If you drive from 6, 000 to 10, 000 miles per year, you should have your oils and filters checked and changed regularly. If you drive for more than 10, 000 miles per year, you should have your air filters changed two to three months before spring. If you wish to travel in the winter, prior to the season, you need to strengthen your coolant by adding antifreeze to your coolant bottle. Remember, weather conditions are important factors in car life expectancy.
If your car is important to you, you have to know it like the back of your hand. Most importantly, you should also know the factors that could pump it up or wear it down.