Car engine - how to extend its life?

How to increase the durability of the engine in the car? Is it possible at all, or are modern cars disposable that can't go more than 200 kilometers without breaking down? Well, the answer to this question is not simple. However, we have some ideas on how to help the engine survive a little and work for many years without costly breakdowns.

Are modern engines really less durable?

The ubiquitous fashion for ecology has not bypassed the automotive industry. As a result, more and more sophisticated solutions are emerging that theoretically should protect the environment, but in practice ... it may be different. One of the biggest threats to the durability of modern engines is downsizing. This is a tendency to reduce engine power in order to reduce exhaust emissions. This trend is visible in every manufacturer. The best example is the VAG group. A few years ago, 1.0 engines in a crossover (Seat) or 1.4 in a mid-size limousine (Audi A4 B9) might seem strange.

What is the problem? To ensure proper performance, small motors are often pushed to their limits. Their power is often twice as high as that of large units a few years ago - so it is not surprising that such an engine has an increased risk of failure. What can be done to prevent this?

The oil that is the blood of the engine

Most automakers recommend very long oil change intervals for their vehicles. Almost every company offers a replacement every 30 thousand kilometers or a year. Yes, it is very convenient for the driver and his wallet. Taking into account the statistical mileage of cars in Poland, the owner of a new car must report to the service once every XNUMX months. The only problem is that most oils cannot handle this distance without losing their lubricating properties.

Why are we writing about this? Modern car engines are extremely sensitive to the quality of the lubricant. These engines have a lot of components that simply lose their properties with bad oil. The best example is the turbocharger found in most cars today. Changing the oil too infrequently can lead to its rapid failure, and this entails costs several times higher than the annual visits of a mechanic to change the lubricant. However, these are not the only factors that can affect the life of a turbocharger.

Turbine - how to care for it?

Oil is an important factor in turbocharger longevity, but there are other factors as well. First of all, it is worth remembering not to abuse the capabilities of this element during the first kilometers. Remember that the lubricant must be distributed throughout the engine in order to be able to lubricate its various parts. In addition, after completing the movement, let the turbine "rest" a little at idle. It is absolutely unacceptable to leave the motorway and turn off the engine almost immediately - the turbocharger is still running at high speeds and suddenly loses lubrication. The effect? It's easy to predict.

Auto parts - this is worth remembering!

The modern car enthusiast has a huge number of spare parts to choose from. These are not the times when our grandparents bought replacements for the Polonaise when they were available. Today we can choose both original elements (with the manufacturer's logo) and substitutes of various quality.

What you need to remember about auto parts? First of all, about their regular replacement. The elements in the car have a certain wear resistance, so there is no need to tighten with the replacement of the timing drive or other parts.

Also, don't buy the cheapest auto parts. This applies to components from unknown manufacturers as well as used components. No-name accessories don't seem to work well in any industry, and the automotive industry is just one of many examples. And when it comes to used parts - well, we can never be sure of the actual condition of a given item.

Where can you buy auto parts?

Maintaining a car in good condition doesn't have to be too expensive. You just need to know where to go for spare parts. Let's take a city like Bialystok. Auto parts store it is here in almost every area. Unfortunately, in many places, the purchase prices for accessories can be quite surprising. It turns out that the purchase of auto parts independently pays off only to mechanics who have significant discounts. The average driver who buys auto parts for his own use will almost always pay much more.

Fortunately, there is a solution for this - the Internet! And we are not talking about buying from auction sites. It is worth checking the offers of online auto parts stores, because there are often much lower prices. And if you don't want to wait for the parcel, you can always choose car shop online in your city. You place an order online and pick it up at the store. Simple, right? And how much can you save!

Summing up ...

How to improve engine durability? First of all, take care of the oil. Remember to change it regularly and use only the lubricant recommended by your vehicle manufacturer. It is not worth saving on oil, because the consequences will cost much more than the profit from the savings. A well-lubricated unit will provide you with years of reliable operation.