How Long Should My Car Last
YOU CAN EXTEND YOUR CAR’S LIFESPAN?
Greetings from The Hemet Car Guy,
Quite often I get asked how long a particular car will last. And I get it because a car is one of the biggest investments many people will make for years. That begs the obvious question, especially when money is tight and cost of living is ever increasing so then, you ask, “how long will this potential car I’m interested in buying will last?”
This depends on many factors; there are some tried-and-true tactics to figure out the average lifespan of your vehicle.
Here’s what you need to know.
According to Consumer Reports, the average lifespan of today’s cars is about eight years or 150,000 miles. however I’ve seen vehicles last over 200,000 miles that are properly maintained.
While there’s no real way to tell how long a car will stay trouble-free, as you don’t know how the vehicle was maintained before you got it. We don’t knowingly hand off a foreseen problem at the dealership we start off with a good inspection to determine what needs to be done, we fix them, service, smog, and safety the vehicle ready for sale. Though we can’t predict the future we do our best to give you a good start of trouble-free driving.
You’ve made an investment in that car that’s why we recommend a routine of ongoing maintenance to prevent major parts from failing.
No car can last forever; generally, cars that have exceeded 200,000 miles on the odometer are running on borrowed time and may begin requiring additional maintenance in the coming year.
I believe cars are better built than in the past with better build quality
Cars are lasting longer and longer these days. This is especially true when you compare the average lifespan of a car today to the average lifespan of a car built 20 or 30 years ago, as I remember our American cars have come a long way since the early 80’s I should know I sold them back then. (Remember Mike Reade Chevrolet/ Oldsmobile on the corner of Florida and Kirby that is now Applebee’s?)
Auto manufacturers are better designed and their mechanical parts have gotten more reliable, the lifespan of cars has increased, as a result. Today, major wear parts run longer and perform more efficiently than they have in the past. This, in turn, means fewer large repairs and less maintenance for car owners.
YOU CAN EXTEND YOUR CAR’S LIFESPAN?
Want to improve your car’s lifespan and enjoy more functionality for your vehicle?
Here are a few tips to do just that:
Develop and adhere to a service schedule. When it comes to your car’s lifespan, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. While nobody likes spending time at an auto repair shop, arranging to be there on a scheduled and pre-set basis is the best way to avoid surprise visits. In addition to keeping you away from major repairs, regular maintenance also boosts your car’s resale value and extends its engine life.
Fix small problems quickly. Instead of driving around for a few thousand miles with your “check engine” light on, fix small engine issues promptly. Even tiny engine problems can become major ones if you don’t address them in a timely fashion. With this in mind, contact your mechanic as soon as you notice a funny noise, strange light, or odd symptom during your driving experience.
Clean your engine annually. You should clean your car’s engine at least once a year. Because dirt and grime can cause your engine to run hot, this layer of yuck puts extra strain on your car’s system and can contribute to things like overheating and a shorter-than-average engine lifespan. Adding a fuel injector cleaner is a great way to beat dirt and grime buildup.

And while you are at it wash and wax your car, clean it inside and out. Although it doesn’t actually help it run better you will enjoy it more since its lasting longer.
Hope this helps
Good Driving
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