I Asked a Mechanic the No. 1 Thing That Ruins Cars Before 200,000 Miles
Written by
Josephine Nesbit
Edited by
Zuri Anderson
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Modern cars can last for 200,000 miles these days, according to Consumer Reports, and some even beyond that. But many never make it that far.
And it’s typically not because of the make or model, but because of one common mistake that shortens a vehicle’s life span faster than almost anything else: Neglecting basic maintenance, particularly oil changes.
Here’s what one car expert has to say about it.
The No. 1 Thing That Ruins Cars Before 200,000 Miles
“The leading cause of death among vehicles under 200,000 miles is neglect to maintain routine service, especially the oil change,” Anam Barkan, driving solutions specialist and founder of HireGo Minibuses, told GOBankingRates in an email.
According to Barkan, oil lubricates moving parts and helps dissipate heat and tiny bits of metal that form naturally in the engine.Â
“When oil is not changed on time, it thickens up and becomes sludge, which plugs up passages and starves such essential items as camshafts and bearings of oil,” she wrote. “This results in premature wear, overheat, and in extreme instances, total engine failure.”
This can lead to repairs costing thousands of dollars, sometimes exceeding the worth of the vehicle, Barkan noted.
How To Avoid This From Happening
The best way to avoid these problems? Don’t miss an oil change.
“I have serviced cars with engines that appeared to be in brand-new condition at 180,000 miles just because the owner ran a good synthetic oil and had it changed from 5,000 to 7,500 miles, and others that were destroyed at 80,000 miles due to missed oil changes,” Barkan claimed.
Many automakers recommend an oil change every 7,500 to 10,000 miles, Kelley Blue Book (KBB) reported.Â
KBB added that many U.S. drivers travel about 14,500 miles annually, so if you log about 1,200 per month in a newer car using synthetic oil, you should get an oil change every eight to nine months. However, if you frequently drive on highways or long distances or in sandy or dusty areas, you may need to change your oil more often.
Barkan suggests monitoring the oil level every month, using the oil type recommended by the manufacturer and following a strict service schedule.
“If a car operates under severe conditions, lots of short trips, stop-and-go driving or extremely hot or cold weather, cutting oil change intervals is a good idea,” Barkan added.
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