The last few years have not proven the most advantageous times for new car buyers. According to a recent survey, buyers paid 12.2 percent more for new vehicles, in January 2022, than they had in January 2021. Faced with such a significant increase in price, many drivers understandably want to keep their current cars longer than they might have initially planned.
Data, released by S&P Global Mobility in early 2022, indicated the average vehicle on the road is 12 years and two months old. This marked the highest number in the 20-plus years such information was tracked. A host of variables affect how long drivers keep their cars, but the rising cost of new vehicles has undoubtedly compelled many drivers to aspire to keep their cars for longer periods of time.
Aging cars may require a little more TLC than vehicles coming right off the dealership lot. The following are three simple tips which can help drivers keep their cars running longer.
1. Become a more careful driver.
A careful approach when behind the wheel is safer than aggressive driving and beneficial for your vehicle. When starting, avoid revving the engine, which needlessly wears it down. When out on the road, avoid rapid accelerations, which also contributes to needless wear and tear. Even excessive idling can adversely affect the engine, so keep winter warm-ups to around 30 seconds to prevent damage to engine components.
2. Know when and how to fill up.
Every driver has likely visited a filling station when an oil tanker is busily filling the tanks. That's traditionally been considered a less than ideal time to fill up. As the theory goes, filling the tanks stirs up sediment which could then find its way into consumers' gas tanks, adversely affecting their vehicles. However, that's often dependent on the station itself and how much its owners prioritize maintenance of the tank and filtration systems. Drivers who trust their local station owners can likely fill up when the tankers are present, without worry. In addition, avoid topping off once the nozzle clicks when filling up. Topping off is harmful to the planet and the vehicle, as gasoline needs room to expand. When you top off, the extra gas may damage the vapour collection system and cause the vehicle to run less efficiently.
3. Change oil more frequently as the vehicle ages.
It's true, modern vehicles no longer require oil changes for every 3,000 miles driven. However, as vehicles age, their engines may benefit from more frequent oil changes than the owner's manual necessarily recommends. Oil changes remove dirt and metal particles from the engine, potentially contributing to a longer life expectancy. More frequent changes can be especially beneficial for vehicles which are routinely driven in stop-and-go traffic.
Rising vehicle costs have compelled many drivers to keep their cars longer than they initially planned. Some simple strategies, like these, can help drivers achieve that goal.