That is a question that could have several answers. So many items can play into the lifespan of an engine. Did you buy the vehicle new? What type of maintenance did the engine have? What is the vehicle used for? And then you have variables you can’t predict. So, how long does a car motor last?
In an ideal world, an engine can last forever. Well, not that long, but people squeeze 300,000 miles and more out of engines. Being mostly automotive type gasoline engines. Diesel engines get even longer lifespan, especially the huge motors in big trucks. They are designed to go 500,000 miles or more with proper care.
Care is the keyword. Not just changing the engine oil regularly either. The cooling system has to be up to snuff. If the engine overheats, serious problems can occur which may not show now, but will take lots of life off the engine. If you overheat the engine, shut it off ASAP, have the problem fixed ASAP, and change the engine oil.
Remember, synthetic engine oils last longer and therefore the engine lasts longer. Synthetics can handle heat better and hard usage better, simply put, the car manufacturers would not use synthetic oil if it did not add a degree of insurance.
Other items that kill engine life are things like not changing the oil enough. Or operating with a dirty air filter in a dusty area. If you choose not to use synthetic oils, make sure you keep the engine full of oil and change it every 3000 miles. With synthetics, you can go 5000 miles between changes. The cost of synthetic oil is more, but it pays off more than just making oil change intervals longer, because it is slipperier, the engine lasts longer.
Doing the right maintenance gives you the best chance of a long and frustration free motor life. If you take my advise concerning maintenance and overall vehicle care, you have good odds of going 200,000 miles without a major problem happening. Of course, it’s important to know if you need to change your oil sooner if it’s a commercial vehicle in a hot climate.
On another note, I have scene people blow an engine up almost immediately by abusing it beyond it’s purposes. Should you be reading this because you have an engine failure that seems premature and want to speak with someone about why your motor failed, and what can be done about it is to call GotEngines.com at 1-888-344-8044 and speak with a professional.
If you need another motor, we have a terrific selection of rebuilt engines, remanufactured engines, used engines and new crate engines. We have an engine to suit your needs. Take the time to call GotEngines.com now for all the free information you can absorb. 1-888-344-8044.
