If you search for the literal meaning of the word mileage, it is defined as ‘the number of miles traveled or covered’. But have you ever wondered how mileage and the life of your vehicle are related? Well, there are many misconceptions about mileage and its relation to the vehicle’s life. You might have also observed that cars with lower miles on the odometer usually demand a higher price than the ones that have more miles clocked. Ever wondered why is that so? Well, you’re just at the right place. We at CarHP have compiled this article to highlight the common misconceptions about vehicle mileage and help you understand what exactly mileage means for the life of your vehicle.
Firstly, the number of miles a vehicle has clocked does not determine the life of the vehicle. Mileage just indicates the condition of the vehicle. A simple rule of thumb- the wear and tear of the moving parts of a car is directly proportional to the number of miles the car travels. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that the car deteriorates with the miles it travels. Similarly, a car with low miles doesn’t always mean that it is in good shape. If the car has little on or no use, the moving parts start to wear down, corrode and break eventually. So, don’t let the numbers fool you.
The key here is proper maintenance. Even if your car has to travel for long distances every single day, with proper maintenance and care, the car can go on for miles unscathed. If you’re looking for a used car and tempted by a car with low miles on the clock, refrain from buying it. Always go for a car that’s well maintained and has been driven for a good number of miles. Such cars prove to be reliable in the long run. It is always better to buy a car that has been driven well rather than buying one with low mileage or one that has been sitting idle for a long time.
Secondly, modern-day cars have become much more reliable. There was a time when not many cars were able to clock 100,000 miles but today, most cars can easily serve for over 100,000 miles without having any major issues, provided it is well maintained. With evolving technology, automakers have devised methods to keep cars healthy and enhance their life. Thus, if you’re considering a used car manufactured in the last few years that seems in good shape but has traveled a few more miles than it normally should have, do not hesitate. It is most likely that it will prove to be reliable and travel more miles under your ownership than it did with the previous owner. Cars these days can go for about around 200,000 miles without having any major breakdown and hence a few extra miles shouldn’t really be a problem for a modern-day car.
With all being said and done, a well-maintained car can go for miles together without any issue while one with no maintenance can break down at any point. For ensuring the longevity of your car, always stick to the maintenance schedule specified by the automaker. The owner’s manual has all the details of the maintenance schedule and the best way to ensure that your car keeps running without issues is to follow the schedule. Further, always pay attention to fluids in the car. Apart from engine and transmission oil, brake fluid, coolants, and washer fluid play an important role in protecting the parts of the car. Hence, ensuring that all the fluids are at their specified levels will only help you avoid major issues in the future.
Moreover, you also need to take care of your tires. Tires endure a lot of abuse and hence require some looking after. Always keep the tires filled at the pressure recommended by the automaker and check the tire pressure at least once in a couple of weeks. Follow the tire rotation schedule prescribed by the automaker. Generally, it is suggested that you rotate the tires once a year or after every 7,500-10,000 miles, however, it can vary from vehicle to vehicle and automaker to automaker. Rotation of tires is essential in ensuring their longevity. Driving with damaged tires also impacts other mechanical and moving parts of the car and in some extreme cases can even cause damage. Hence, taking care of the tires is one of the ways to ensure your car goes on for a long time without any problems.
Further, always use quality products. Resorting to cheap, sub-standard products does more harm than good. It is recommended to use the oils, lubricants, and parts suggested by the automaker and these are usually mentioned in the user manual.
So, long story short, the mileage of the car doesn’t indicate its life. A well-kept car can still go on for many miles while an abused car even with comparatively low miles on the odometer will certainly break down. It doesn’t matter how many miles you travel as long as you take proper care of your car. Thus, adhering to a maintenance schedule is the key to enhancing your car’s life. Also, if you happen to be in the market looking for a used car, always get the one that has a good maintenance record and has been in operation throughout its life.
