Vehicles are built better than ever. An odometer that reads 100,000 miles is no longer the maximum life expectancy for a vehicle. With a little maintenance, you can push your vehicle to 200,000 or even 300,000 miles. Knowing what problems commonly arise in older cars is key to keeping your vehicle running.
Here are a few of the most crucial car components and when you can expect to replace them.
Automatic transmission
Almost all passenger vehicles have an automatic transmission today. While it’s a major convenience, solving transmission problems can be one of the more expensive aspects of owning an older car.
Most transmissions are simply replaced ... Not repaired. This job can easily cost a thousand dollars. Transmission failure is more likely to occur once a vehicle eclipses the 100,000-mile mark; however, some transmissions can fail in the 60,000 to 70,000 mile range.
Battery
You can expect your battery to grow weak after four or five years, regardless of the miles you’ve put on your vehicle. If you live in a warm-weather climate, you can expect to replace your battery every three years on account of the heat.
Brake pads
Brake pads wear out the more you drive and apply the brakes. The way you drive is also a factor. Aggressive drivers who brake hard and spend most of their driving miles in stop-and-go traffic will wear out their brake pads more quickly than drivers who mostly cruise on the highway.
Here are a few of the most crucial car components and when you can expect to replace them.
Automatic transmission
Almost all passenger vehicles have an automatic transmission today. While it’s a major convenience, solving transmission problems can be one of the more expensive aspects of owning an older car.
Most transmissions are simply replaced ... Not repaired. This job can easily cost a thousand dollars. Transmission failure is more likely to occur once a vehicle eclipses the 100,000-mile mark; however, some transmissions can fail in the 60,000 to 70,000 mile range.
Battery
You can expect your battery to grow weak after four or five years, regardless of the miles you’ve put on your vehicle. If you live in a warm-weather climate, you can expect to replace your battery every three years on account of the heat.
Brake pads
Brake pads wear out the more you drive and apply the brakes. The way you drive is also a factor. Aggressive drivers who brake hard and spend most of their driving miles in stop-and-go traffic will wear out their brake pads more quickly than drivers who mostly cruise on the highway.