2009 Honda Civic Is Reliable, Safe And Can Last 200000 Miles

With the kind of ingenuity and quality that today’s cars are being engineered with it isn’t difficult to learn how to make a car last 200000 miles. With the advances in engine technology, rust proofing, motor oil just to name a few, this decade of automobiles being built are far more reliable and if properly cared for will last you 10 to 15 years easily.  From compacts to sedans to SUVs and pickup trucks, it really doesn’t matter the manufacturer.  If you like the vehicle here are some things you can do to increase the life span of your car.

The benefit of keeping a car this long is the amount of money that can be saved and invested when you no longer have that car payment.  Just in payments alone, average calculations have shown that a person who holds on to their car for 15 years verses trading it in for a new one every 5 years can save around $30,000 and that doesn’t factoring in any investing of these savings which of course would increase that bottom line.

Now if you are looking to buy a car and then hold on to it for a while, we definitely suggest that you research government and insurance industry safety tests to see how well your vehicle performed.  You want to start with the best performing vehicle possible and if you are going to drive a car for this long of a time you surely want it to be as highly equipt as possible with the latest safety protection.

Once you have made your purchase and drove off the lot, whether or not your car lasts 200,000 miles will depend greatly on what you do from this point on.  Here are the best tips for making your car reach 200k miles:

1. Go to your cars owner’s manual and FOLLOW THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE.  This schedule was put here for you the buyer and for only one reason but to ensure as long a life span as possible for your vehicle.  Not making repairs promptly or following the maintenance schedule precisely will in most cases lead to accelerated premature wear on your cars major components.

2. Don’t skimp on parts and fluids. When it’s time to get maintenance done or make repairs only accept approved parts and products that meet manufacturer specifications.  Not doing this could also lead to premature failure and possible even void your rights under the manufacturers warranty.  So when making your car purchase not only do you need to consider the monthly payment and insurance, but also the cost of maintaining the vehicle should be just as important in your calculations.

3. Be proactive because no one will know your car better than you. What this means is pay attention to your car; get in a habit of looking under the hood routinely while listening and smelling for any thing that sounds or looks out of the normal, for example cracks in your belts and hoses.  Again, referring back to your cars service manual will help you recognize problems before they become big problems. Remember your vehicle is nothing but a collection of mechanical parts and these parts will wear and tear no matter what.  Your goal however, is to minimize the costs of keeping your car in top notch condition and generally this is best achieved by catching problems early.  The longer they are allowed to fester the more money it will cost you out of your pocket.

4. Finally, KEEP YOUR CAR CLEAN.  Regular outside washing and waxing of your car will help preserve your paint and prevent any rust from setting in on the metal below.  Regular inside vacuuming of the carpet and seats will help prevent wear and tears in your fabric, in addition to that, wiping down your dash and cleaning the glass will do wonders on your psyche when the new car fever starts to set in.  If your car is looking good on the outside and is clean and smelling good on the inside then the temptation to trade it in for something shiny and new will be easier to block out of your mind as you rack up those miles and the savings.