Oh, the feeling of the open road. Windows open, hands firmly on the wheel, you feel like you could drive for hours. But does your car agree?
Ithis podcast episodefrom CarStuff, Scott Benjamin and Ben Bowlin host Matt Frederick of Stuff They Don't Want You to Know to discover what it takes to make a car last 300,000 miles (482,803 kilometers). Is there a “Goldilocks zone” for tire rotations and fluid changes that will keep a vehicle at peak performance over time? And could this lead to reaching the 300,000 mile mark?
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These are difficult questions to answer, as mileage alone is not the only indicator of a car's lifespan. A person could drive30.000 kilometerper year (average is 15,000) and racks up a lot of miles quite quickly, but someone who drives very little will still see their car aging as the interior fades and the rubber parts start to dry. In addition, it is expected that certain parts will be replaced over time. After 90,000 miles or ten years, a vehicle will likely need a new radiator, alternator, shock absorbers and more.
David Soloman, a certified master mechanic and editor of MotorWatch, claimsthere are different thingswhat you can do to extend the life of a vehicle – and extend its mileage.
The first strategy is not about the car, but about you. Adjusting the way you drive is a great way to take the stress out of a vehicle. Drive as much as possible by planning your approach to stop the signs and lights before you reach them. This prevents you from hitting the brakes at the last moment, causing the brakes to wear out. Avoid heavy acceleration; Hitting the accelerator pedal hard when the engine is cold is the leading cause of engine head gasket failure.
And here's a tricky one: don't turn on the heat or air conditioning immediately after starting the engine. The extra load will wear out the engine. However, you should turn on the air conditioning or windshield heater at least once a month, regardless of the weather, to circulate the oil through the heating and cooling system.
It also helps to pay attention to the manualmaintenance guidelines. If you fill up with premium fuel, but your car's engine is designed for normal use, you're wasting money and could cause carbon buildup in the combustion chambers. Speaking of gasoline, you shouldn't let the amount in your tank fall below a quarter tank. When this happens it can cause condensation and damage the fuel pump.
How many times do you continue to add gas after the nozzle is turned off? Bringing the amount to an even number or maximizing your fuel points could do more harm than good. You'll damage the evaporative emissions canister, which could turn on the "check engine" light and send you down a rabbit hole of expensive repairs.
If you really want your car to last a long time, pay attention to the normal lifespan of important parts and replace them before they break down. To that end, it helps to rotate the tires every 7,500 miles (12,070 kilometers), have the battery tested annually, and have the oil and other fluids changed like clockwork according to the owner's manual.
Oh, and that giant keychain, weighed down with every key you own and more than a fair share of dangling decor? Let drop. On some vehicles, the extra weight can even affect the ignition switch.
That's handy
Remember the old rule of thumb that called for oil changes every three months or 3,000 miles? For some vehicles this may happen too often. To find out, have your oil analyzed with a test kit that will tell you how often to change your car's oil and driving conditions.
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Frequently asked questions about most kilometers
Can a car last 500,000 kilometers?
It is extremely unusual for cars to last more than 500,000 miles (804,672 kilometers). It is less unusual for cars to travel more than 300,000 miles (482,803 kilometers) without undergoing major repairs.
Which cars are best with high mileage?
Experts suggest that cars developed by manufacturers such as Honda, Subaru and Toyota are known to have the highest mileage and are likely to last more than 200,000 miles (321,868 kilometers) before major repairs are needed. Think of Honda Civic and Accord, Toyota Prius and Corolla and Subaru Outback.
What is the highest recorded mileage of a car?
Irvin Gordon has driven more than 3 million miles in his 1966 Volvo 1800S, according to Guinness World Records. He set his record (3,039,122 miles or 4,890,993 kilometers) on May 1, 2014.
Can a car last 1 million kilometers?
Yes, it is possible, but rare, for a car to last 1 million miles (1,609,344 kilometers). Usually such vehicles have owners who are car enthusiasts.
What are the most economical cars?
US. News & World Report ranks the 2021 Toyota Prius Prime as one of the 15 cars with the best gas mileage. The Prius gets 133 MPGe/54 MPG combined. It's followed by two Hondas: the 2021 Clarity rated at 110 MPGe/42 MPG and the 2021 Ioniq rated at 59 MPG combined.
