Vehicles can last for a long time with proper maintenance. This fact is especially true with today’s models. The Bureau of Transportation found that the average age of a passenger car in the United States was more than 13 years old in 2023. In the early 2000s, the average was less than 10. Consumer Reports estimates age in terms of distance, saying almost any well-made car can last for 200,000 miles with proper care.
Heavy-duty engines — like the Cummins N14, 8.9L Cummins ISL, and CAT 3406, which power trucks, buses, and military and industrial vehicles — can last for much longer. However, whether you use these muscular diesel or regular consumer engines, you should follow the same driving habits and maintenance schedules to ensure a longer lifespan.
Though self-driving and AI-powered cars are making headlines, these technologies will not soon replace drivers — professionals and individuals alike will stay behind the wheel. This means it’s up to you to learn the habits that ensure engine longevity and put them into practice day after day.
Here are seven driving behaviors to avoid if you want to ensure your vehicle stays on the road for as long as possible.
1. Allowing Your Fuel Filter To Clog
Fuel filters keep particles and debris from getting into your fuel system. These impurities might include dust, dirt, or road salt, which get into the fuel tank when you fill up your vehicle. Interior metal components might also rust, adding small flecks to the gas supply.
Fuel filters collect debris. When it collects too much, gas can’t flow through the filter. Typical symptoms include a stuttering engine when starting or driving at low speeds. The clog could affect engine performance, and it could put extra strain on the fuel pump and decrease fuel efficiency. If the clog is bad enough, the engine will simply refuse to run.
There are two reasons to change a fuel filter. You can replace it when it reaches the lifespan listed by the manufacturer. They typically list it in terms of mileage, such as 50,000 miles. The other reason to change the fuel filter is if you notice the aforementioned symptoms.
2. Failing To Change Air Filters
Oxygen is essential for the engine combustion process. A mixture of air and fuel gets burned to create the energy that propels the engine. The fuel filter ensures the gas in the engine is clean, but you also need an air filter to keep debris out. The air filter stops insects, dust, road salt, and other particles from getting into the oxygen and fuel mixture.
Air filters can get clogged easily, especially if you drive in dusty environments. In better conditions, you may be able to go for several years without changing the filter.
If you don’t change the air filter in time, you may notice reduced performance or worsening fuel economy. The engine will need to work harder to produce the necessary power because it does not have enough oxygen. The extra strain may reduce its lifespan in the long term.
You can easily inspect the engine air filter to see if it is visibly dirty. You can then change it right away. Also, consider changing the filter regardless of its condition according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. The filter is accessible in most cars, so this is a DIY project in many cases.
3. Not Changing Your Oil
Oil changes are one of the most necessary car care steps. The oil serves as a lubricant for the moving parts of the engine. Without oil these components would rub against each other, grinding the engine down and significantly reducing its lifespan.
Oil degrades over time as it collects particles and changes viscosity due to the heat in the engine. Standard motor oil lasts for about 3,000 miles, but synthetic oils, used in most modern cars, have longer lifespans. They can last for 5,000 to 15,000 miles between changes.
It’s possible to change your oil by yourself with a little knowledge and the right equipment. Alternatively, you can find express oil change services that can handle the job quickly while also checking other fluids and changing the oil filter as well.
4. Not Changing Other Fluids
Oil is the most important lubricant in your vehicle, but it is not the only one. Other fluids also serve essential purposes. For instance, hydraulic brake fluid provides lubrication and helps transfer power to the brake components so that you can stop faster.
Transmission fluid serves a similar purpose for the transmission, facilitating gear changes and lubricating the entire system so that the parts do not grind down prematurely. Failure to change these fluids can decrease the lifespan of the components.
Meanwhile, coolant or antifreeze protects the engine from overheating or freezing. These problems can cause significant damage to engine components, leading to expensive repairs or replacements. You can check your coolant levels regularly, especially when your vehicle is exposed to extreme weather and add it if necessary.
5. Towing Overly Heavy Loads
If you have a medium or heavy-duty vehicle, you may use it to tow equipment, cargo, or other materials. If you pull overweight trailers, you can do damage to your engine or transmission as the components attempt to work beyond their capacity to pull the excess weight.
Most vehicle manufacturers have a maximum towing weight. In some cases, you will need to know the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), which is the total amount of weight the vehicle can manage in the cargo or passenger areas and on a trailer. The GVWR is the curb weight (the weight of the empty truck or van) plus the payload (the cargo and trailer).
Make the calculations to ensure you are always under the limit for towing and cargo inside the vehicle.
6. Not Letting the Engine Warm Up
Engine oil becomes thicker in cold weather and loses some of its lubrication properties. However, it returns to the correct consistency as the engine warms up. Starting and driving immediately in cold weather before the oil reaches the right consistency can wear down engine parts prematurely.
Consumer Reports recommends letting the engine idle for about 30 seconds to one minute to allow the oil to fully lubricate engine parts. Idling for longer could waste fuel unnecessarily.
7. Not Cleaning the Engine
Over time, grime, dust, and other substances accumulate on your vehicle, including areas under the hood. Regularly cleaning your engine can help keep particles from getting inside and grinding against moving parts. Also, excessive grime buildup can trap heat, making the engine run hotter, reducing oil longevity, and putting components under unnecessary stress.
A deep cleaning likely requires professional help because you do not want to dislodge hoses or belts. However, you can go over the engine with a towel when it’s completely cool to remove excess grime or dust buildup.
Overall, avoiding these behaviors and adopting good driving and car-care habits can increase the longevity of your engine and keep your vehicle on the road for longer. While some steps may require the assistance of a mechanic or other auto pro, others are simple steps you can take on your own to get as many miles as possible out of your vehicle.
