Just like people, cars also have life expectancies. However, the number of years your car will be up and running will depend on how you handle and take care of your vehicle. If you take a good look at our current economy you will see that the odds aren’t in our favor. Cars are getting more and more expensive by the day now that newer models are unceasingly being innovated. This unfortunate reality has compelled car owners to strive to keep their cars on the road for as long as possible because they are well aware that getting a brand new car requires them to lay out a great deal of money on the table. And that, my friends, sadly doesn’t happen to everyone especially not on a daily basis. And besides, not a lot of people are lucky enough to afford new sets of wheels.Or let’s just say not everyone is like Iry Gordon.
Iry Gordon is a legend and every driver in the world should heed his advice. The remarkability of Iry Gordon has been made known to the world as he holds an astounding Guinness World Record for the most miles driven as a single owner of a noncommercial vehicle.
His 1996 Volvo P1800 with over 3 million miles as reflected on the odometer is still intact up to this very day and it still houses the original engine, radio and transmission. Now isn’t that something? In actuality the secret doesn’t lie in the brand nor does it depend on the model of the vehicle. Iry Gordon stood out because out of the million car owners out there he was able to religiously change car oil and fluids and dutifully perform other maintenance to keep his car alive. And according to him everything came straight from the manual. So if there isn’t any real substantial secret to keeping your car pumping why do cars die out every single time? Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why your car sputters to meet its death. 
- Car owners fail to read the manual. More than half of car owners don’t check their manuals or perhaps the only time they do check their manuals is when they feel something is wrong with their vehicle. This is a big no-no if you want to extend the life of your car. You need to be aware of manufacturer’s recommendations most especially on oil changes. In addition, you also need to follow regular scheduled maintenance. Your car needs regular check-ups to ensure its overall health. One of the biggest mistakes of car owners is forgetting to refer to their manuals. Everything you need to know about your car is found in your manual. When you don’t carry with you a strong foundation (which you can get from a trusted manual) you will easily get swayed especially when your car dealer is highly adept at persuasion. More often than not car dealers will coax you into getting more frequent maintenance even if it isn’t really necessary. If you have read your manual you can easily say no and tell them you’ve already decided on a date. This saves you money and saves your car from unnecessary tweaking.
- You don’t invest on durable car parts. Did you know that getting a reliable car parts supplier is just as important as finding the right pediatrician for your kid? Think of your car as your baby. You need to give it the best possible care and when it comes to replacing car parts you need to look for excellent quality car parts. When you’re in Canada try searching for car parts in Canada online and then start checking for brands. Quality parts do not necessarily have to be expensive, you just need to do a quick yet thorough background check, read online forums and peruse through feedbacks to give you an idea what this particular brand or company can offer.
- You don’t read car forums all that much. While it isn’t compulsory to read forums it helps to know about potential problems before it can happen to you. Forums contain car owner’s stories about their cars and problems they’ve encountered with it. Most members share their own solutions while others refer you to links and websites that can provide you with tips on how to troubleshoot specific car problems.
Aside from the sentimental value your car holds, many car owners refuse to visit showrooms for the sole reason that they cannot afford to get a new one. You can increase the life expectancy of your car by following these simple tips highlighted above.