# Are there any simple non expensive ways that I can make my car last longer? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 11, 2002, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-simple-non-expensive-ways-that-i-can-make-my-car-last-longer/123338 "2002-08-11T00:39:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Squish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8797f3/32.png) [@Squish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squish)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2002, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-simple-non-expensive-ways-that-i-can-make-my-car-last-longer/123338/41 "2002-08-12T19:10:20Z")
When I worked in the service department of a large new Ford dealership, I received a call from a gentleman _enraged_ that his “brand new” van was out of oil! Looked up his records. “Brand new” van was purchased 13 months ago. Me: Sir, when did you last have the oil changed? Customer: Why, I haven’t! It’s a brand new van! Me: Okay. When did you last _check_ your oil? Customer: \ Me: Put a quart of oil in the van and bring it in so we can check it out and see if there’s a leak. Customer: Where am I supposed to get the oil? Me: Uh… you don’t have a few quarts of oil in your garage, sir? Customer: Of course not! This is all your fault! I’m bringing it in and you’re going to fix it right away! Me: Sir, you cannot drive the vehicle with no oil in it. Customer: [sarcastically] Well, how am I supposed to get oil in it? Me: You’ll have to buy some oil and put it in the van before you drive it. Customer: No way! This is your fault, not mine! It’s a brand new van! Me: Sir. \ You **cannot** drive that vehicle without oil in it. If you insist on doing so, you will void the warranty and (insert name of dealership) will **not** be responsible. Customer: Oh, yeah? This is your fault. I’m driving it in. Customer: \ Me: \ ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2002, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-simple-non-expensive-ways-that-i-can-make-my-car-last-longer/123338/42 "2002-08-12T22:52:13Z")
Synthetics are derived from esters and are engineered specifically for the thermal and mechanical loads within a high-performance engine, such as a turbo or a high compression DOHC motor. Petroleum distilled lubricants contain molecular compounds with weights above and below the critical, optimum range a synthetic is engineered for…lighter compounds would evaporate and heavier ones would cook into coke and sludge. a non- performance engine usually gets nowhere near the duty cycle of a racing motor…wegular motor oil works just fine. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2002, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-simple-non-expensive-ways-that-i-can-make-my-car-last-longer/123338/43 "2002-08-12T23:03:11Z")
Synthetics are derived from esters and are engineered specifically for the thermal and mechanical loads within a high-performance engine, such as a turbo or a high compression DOHC motor. Petroleum distilled lubricants contain molecular compounds with weights above and below the critical, optimum range a synthetic is engineered for…lighter compounds would evaporate and heavier ones would cook into coke and sludge. a non- performance engine usually gets nowhere near the duty cycle of a racing motor…wegular motor oil works just fine. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2002, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-simple-non-expensive-ways-that-i-can-make-my-car-last-longer/123338/44 "2002-08-12T23:04:14Z")
sorry about the double-post. ---
**Author:** ![ENugent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4af34b/32.png) [@ENugent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ENugent)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2002, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-simple-non-expensive-ways-that-i-can-make-my-car-last-longer/123338/45 "2002-08-13T00:04:27Z")
I used to drive a 200sx - it was a great car. We got a pretty good price for it when we switched to a station wagon - we needed a car that could haul more stuff. In addition to getting the oil changed regularly (I used synthetic in mine, and it lasted very well), get your tires rotated every other oil change or so (make sure they balance the wheels), and get an alignment every year or two. I never needed to use gasoline additives in that car, but they did reduce knock in my '77 Firebird. ---
**Author:** ![Horseflesh](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horseflesh/32/7502_2.png) [@Horseflesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horseflesh)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2002, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-simple-non-expensive-ways-that-i-can-make-my-car-last-longer/123338/46 "2002-08-13T01:00:41Z")
Here’s a tip from my step-father that I’ve always wondered about: Install tires one or two sizes bigger (taller, not wider) than what was originally installed by the manufacturer _if_ the vehicle will accomodate the larger size. Supposedly the logic is that a bigger tire will take less revolutions to go the same distance. Less revolutions = less wear on the vehicle and slightly better gas mileage. He said this would throw the speedometer a little off on accuracy. The only other con I could think of is that the engine will have to work a little harder to turn the drive shaft. When I worked at an auto parts store we had a book that showed what size tires would fit on most vehicles in case the customer didn’t know. Most car entries would show a range of sizes, usually including ones bigger than the original. A friend of mine said that since tires were expendable items on new cars that the manf. just used the cheapest ones they could get away with (excepting high-performance cars). I don’t know a whole lot about cars so I’d be interested in more informed opinions. ---
**Author:** ![parisms](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@parisms](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/parisms)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2002, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-simple-non-expensive-ways-that-i-can-make-my-car-last-longer/123338/47 "2002-08-13T02:32:14Z")
Thank you so much guys, Dopers are awsome, no where else would I get such thoughtful and diverse advice. I will definately put some of this stuff into effect. God willing, this car will be with me years and years down the road. ---
**Author:** ![Squish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8797f3/32.png) [@Squish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squish)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2002, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-simple-non-expensive-ways-that-i-can-make-my-car-last-longer/123338/48 "2002-08-13T03:01:12Z")
Good luck, and happy motoring! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![t-keela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@t-keela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/t-keela)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2002, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-simple-non-expensive-ways-that-i-can-make-my-car-last-longer/123338/49 "2002-08-13T03:03:21Z")
You’re welcome and good luck. Plus NEVER loan it out! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![t-keela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@t-keela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/t-keela)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2002, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-simple-non-expensive-ways-that-i-can-make-my-car-last-longer/123338/50 "2002-08-13T05:50:23Z")
[http://www.nissan-200sx.org/links.html](http://www.nissan-200sx.org/links.html) ---
**Author:** ![Cyberhwk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7993a0/32.png) [@Cyberhwk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyberhwk)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2002, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-simple-non-expensive-ways-that-i-can-make-my-car-last-longer/123338/51 "2002-08-13T06:18:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Poloin99 \* > \*\*Changing your oil every 7500 miles is no where often enough. \*\* That is actually what the MANUAL for my mother’s **1998 Acura 2.5TL** reccomends for normal driving. Although we change at 3000-4000 anyway. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-simple-non-expensive-ways-that-i-can-make-my-car-last-longer/123338.md?page=2)