People wait to drive through the Holland Tunnel into New York City during morning rush hour traffic in Jersey City, New Jersey, Wednesday, March 8, 2023. People keep their vehicles longer in due to the shortage of nuts and high prices. That pushed the average U.S. vehicle age to a record 12.5 years by 2023, according to S&P Global Mobility. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)
DETROIT (AP) – With the average price of new vehicles in the United States nearly $48,000 and the average cost of a used car nearly $29,000, many people are making repairs and keeping their vehicles longer.
That has pushed the average age of a vehicle on U.S. roads to a record 12.5 years this year, according to state registration data collected by S&P Global Mobility.
New and used vehicles are expensive due to the shortage of computer chips that started with the coronavirus pandemic. And the monthly payments have increased even more because the Federal Reserve has raised interest rates. New vehicle loans are now averaging around 7%.
Here’s how experts say you can keep your old ride running longer so you can avoid skyrocketing prices and high monthly payments:
DO ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
Most owners manuals have a maintenance schedule that must be done when vehicles reach a certain number of miles on the odometer or a certain age. Some have dashboard alerts about when maintenance is due.
These include oil, filter and coolant changes, lubrication, brake and transmission fluid changes, belt replacements and other items. Regular maintenance keeps things from breaking later, so it’s worth the cost.
“It’s much cheaper to maintain and repair a car right now than it is to buy a new one,” says David Bennett, AAA’s manager of repair systems.
Jay Nuber, owner of Professional Japanese Auto Service, a repair garage near downtown Ann Arbor, Michigan, says it’s best to keep your maintenance up to date so you don’t rack up too big a tab down the road.
LOOK AT THE OIL
The most important thing to do is change the oil and filter at intervals recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.
Oils have improved dramatically in the past decade, but it’s still a good idea to change them at the right intervals to prevent sludge and grime from building up in the engine, Bennett says. If that happens and the oil doesn’t flow well, the parts aren’t being lubricated, and that can cause problems down the road, Bennett says.
Because the oils are so much better, you won’t need to change it every 3,000 miles anymore, Nuber says. Recommends 6,000 mile intervals.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT PETROL
Bennett recommends looking for a “premium” sticker on gas pumps and buying gas at that station. Companies that sell “Top Tier” gas agree to add detergents and additives to reduce carbon deposits inside the engine and on the intake and exhaust valves. This will make the engines run better and longer, he says.
KEEP YOUR CAR CLEAN
If you live in a cold climate where salt is used to clean the roads, be sure to wash your car regularly.
Salt, of course, can accelerate rust on the frame and underside, but also on the body and doors if left on for long periods.
In most places, snow, ice, slush and salt come for a few days, but then it dries up. This is the time to wash the car and make sure the undercarriage is sprayed, says Nuber. “Go to the car wash and try to remove all the old grunge underneath to prevent corrosion,” he says.
LISTEN TO YOUR CAR
Your car will often tell you when there’s a problem, with check engine lights or other warnings on the dashboard. But it can also warn you with noises or other behaviors.
If the front end pulls in one direction, that could mean tire or suspension problems, Bennett says. Funny noises can be a sign of other problems.
If a check engine light comes on, ignore it at your peril, says Bennett. “It could be something as simple as a loose gas cap,” he said. “It could be even more meaningful. You don’t know unless you’ve looked at it.”
