This post has been updated to reflect 2021/22 reality!
With the price of new and used cars rising dramatically many people are deciding to keep their older car. The average American car is now 11.8 years old, and expected to surpass 12 years in the next few years.
Not long ago a car or pickup still on the road after 200,000 miles was an exceptional case. Now there are thousands of cars on the road that top that mileage, according to automotive website iSeeCars.com. Topping the list for longevity are large pickups and SUVs.
Car makers are making better vehicles, this being a major factor in the increasing longevity, according to Phong Ly, co-founder and CEO of iSeeCars.com. Your car, SUV or pickup may never hit 200,000 miles. But if you want to keep it running as long as possible – certainly past 100,000 miles, here are some tips from car experts:
- Follow the prescribed maintenance schedule. This may seem obvious, but busy car owners may overlook the prescribed intervals for oil changes and other maintenance.
- Find a good mechanic. An independent shop will save you money vs a dealership, especially once your new car warranty has expired. Click here to see if there is an AAA-certified mechanic in your area.
- Get in some highway driving. Short trips of stop-and-go driving are hard on a car. If you habitually make only a short commute or brief trip for errands, take the car out and drive at highway speeds every week.
Every year that you can keep your car, pickup or SUV running well is a year you are not making payments on its replacement. Not to mention the impact on the environment by not adding another car to the junkyard.
If you’ve decided to keep your older car or think now is a good time to sell it, a new paint job might be just the thing to bring it back to life. Painting your vehicle not only makes it feel like a different car, with a little bodywork, we can eliminate nicks and scratches and protect your investment. Show your car some love with a new paint job from Econo Auto Painting!
For a free auto paint estimate, please call your local Econo Auto Painting location
