You spend a lot of money on a vehicle, so the last thing you need is for it to become a worn-out rattler before you’ve even finished paying for it. Here’s the deal—maintenance doesn’t always involve big problems like replacing engines and refurbishing transmissions. It’s the slow progression of the things you don’t pay any mind to day in and day out. It’s those daily routines, the “it’s probably okay” moments. Those shortcuts to maintenance that seem harmless at the time, only to have your mechanic throw up their hands in frustration as they try to explain the damage you’ve done and what it’s going to cost. Let’s get into the strange, unorthodox, and completely preventable ways you could be shaving years off your car’s lifespan—and give you a few strategies to break free from the slow-motion self-sabotage.
Top Things That Shorten Your Car’s Lifespan and How to Avoid Them
Lifestyle of Low-Fuel Living
Letting your tank run down to empty isn’t a bright idea—it’s a ticket to destroying your fuel system. When you’re low on gas, that junk and debris settling at the bottom of your gas tank pulls it into your engine.
Your fuel pump isn’t happy about this behavior. Sooner or later, your engine begins sputtering as if it has a two-pack-a-day habit. Don’t let this one slide if you want to keep your car on the road for 100,000 miles, 200,000 miles, or more.
High-mileage vehicles can benefit from more frequent oil changes to keep them running well.
Treating Oil Changes as a Suggestion Decreases Your Car’s Lifespan
There’s a certain satisfaction in stretching an oil change beyond its limit as if you’ve beaten the system somehow. However, here’s what’s going on—your engine oil isn’t immortal. It deteriorates and becomes sludgy.
Your engine stops protecting all the metal components that need to slide, not grind. You increase wear and tear on essential components and convert your engine into a heat factory.
Skipping an oil change causes internal deterioration you won’t realize until your check engine light glows like a Christmas tree. Set reminders, write it on your fridge, get it tattooed onto the back of your hand—just don’t blow it off.
As a car owner, this is one of the most essential tasks to keep up on. Plus, with these gas prices, who wants to decrease fuel consumption, decrease car longevity, or void their vehicle’s warranty?
Flooring It When the Engine’s Cold
You start the vehicle, hit it hard out of the garage, and feel like an extra in Fast & Furious as you speed down the highway to work. Sounds impressive, and feels good too—but your engine’s still essentially in slumber mode. That initial startup is when your oil starts circulating through the system.
While the engines are still cold, flooring it is like asking you to hit a 5-mile run without your morning coffee. Give your ride a chance to get into its stride. That doesn’t mean you must idle perpetually in your driveway like you’re warming up an airplane, just ease off for the first few minutes so everything can get moving.
Keep your driving habits in check if you want your car to last longer. Can you keep your car running to 300,000 miles? Start here!
Going Tire Blind
We’re all guilty of ignoring tires until they show the belt and look so bald that they become outright dangerous. But it is essential to stay on top of tasks like:
- Maintaining the correct tire pressure
- Monitoring tire tread depth
These tend to be things people only consider when they’re leaving on a road trip—and that’s not the way to approach this task.
Low pressure wears tires unevenly. Your car will drive like a shopping cart, decrease fuel economy, and guzzle fuel at an incredible rate.
A monthly check is all you need to keep things on the road.
- Get an inexpensive pressure gauge
- Take out your owner’s manual to get the correct numbers
- Check your tires—No engineering degree is needed
It’s that simple. Keep an eye on the brakes and brake pads too!
Wrapping Up- Stop Decreasing Your Car’s Lifespan
Your car isn’t a high-maintenance vehicle—it just wants some attention every once in a while. Show it some love, and you’ll see significantly more miles, fewer breakdowns, and give yourself peace of mind when you’re on the road.
At best, it keeps you from soliciting strangers for jumper cables in a grocery store parking lot.
Dave & Rays Automotive Repair Shop in Omaha, NE
Our team has learned one thing: automotive problems are as varied and unique as the customers who bring them to us. Fortunately, our decades of experience in Omaha car repair mean that our skilled network of professionals is ready to accommodate an impressive scope of automotive issues. Our highly recommended team takes pride in delivering top-notch customer service to every client. Contact us today.