How to drive a million kilometers without a major overhaul

Automotive prowess can manifest itself in many different ways. For some, the goal of life is to travel around the world by car. Others rush to travel to the most extreme places on the planet: in the mountains, in the north, or in the desert. Someone sets a record for high-speed travel, for example, throughout Europe “through and through”. But there is also an achievement, which is no easier to reach - to run over a million kilometers or miles. Maybe this figure is available only to special models? Nothing like this! As practice shows, 1 million km are wound on ordinary mass-produced cars. Another thing is how to achieve such a result.

Engine

Many people remember: in the past, almost all engines used a cast-iron cylinder block - heavy and reliable. Today, most manufacturers have opted for lighter aluminum. But not all! There are also modern cars with a cast-iron BC.



And yet, the material of manufacture of the block is not the most important thing. If there is a desire to roll a million km, the focus should be on fuel and maintenance.

Fuel

The fact that the performance of the engine directly depends on the quality of the fuel is probably known by many motorists from their own experience. Ideally, you need to find out the chemical composition of the gas stations where you refuel most often and “calculate” the one where the fuel is the best. Or look at reviews on the Internet, talk with drivers "live". The second point is the type of gasoline. If the automaker recommends fuel with an octane rating of 92, you should not experiment, pour 95 into the tank (and vice versa). In any case, the result will be deplorable - a major overhaul of the engine.





And one more point regarding fuel will be unexpected: how much fuel should be poured into the tank? Some people think that it is necessary to run out gasoline “to the end”, while others, on the contrary, keep the car fully filled all the time. And still others always pour strictly 10 liters. As for the latter, it is clear: the usual prejudice left over from the devastating 90s. As for the complete emptying of the tank, this is highly undesirable. When the fuel is at a minimum, the intake begins to suck in sediment in the form of grains of dirt, sand, etc. The second disadvantage is that an empty tank is more susceptible to corrosion.



Does this mean the tank should always be full? Yes, but there is a nuance. If you live in a region where the temperature in summer is over +25°C, a large amount of fuel in a hermetically sealed space can create increased pressure, which is fraught with trouble. Therefore, as always, the truth is in the middle: in this case, almost. The tank must be kept underfilled by 3-5 liters.

Oil

Study the manual for the car (and not only in terms of use, changing lubricants). There, the manufacturer clearly indicates which oil is allowed to be poured into this type of engine, and there are also replacement options. If you suddenly decide to switch to a cheaper mineral water, you can forget about a million kilometers. Here it is necessary to mention counterfeit: scammers are on the alert, especially in today's time, when many Western manufacturers have left Russia. Do not be lazy and take the time to learn how to distinguish the original from the fake - it will pay off a hundredfold.



Do not think about changing the oil every 10 thousand km. Especially those who constantly drive around the city and stand in traffic jams when the mileage does not wind up, but the engine is running. The best option for changing the lubricant is 5 thousand kilometers. Do not forget to put a new oil filter at the same time, and every 10 thousand km and an air filter. It will have to be changed more often if the car is operated in the steppe regions, where dust storms are not uncommon, winds blow with a huge amount of particles of dirt and sand. It is they who play the role of an abrasive, erasing, like emery, the surfaces of rubbing parts.

Spark plug

The frequency of replacement of conventional products with nickel electrodes is 20-30 thousand kilometers. If the candles are iridium, then the figure rises to 80-100 thousand. It is necessary to change these elements of the ignition system, even if the coating on them is pale brown. Sooner or later, the material of manufacture, for example, the same porcelain that serves as an insulator, “gets tired”, microcracks appear that are invisible to the eye. As a result, the spark gradually weakens, the fuel does not burn completely, more carbon deposits are formed.



Remember about other "consumables" - belts. If this is a timing belt, untimely replacement can lead to bending of the valves, which is fraught with a major overhaul. A broken alternator belt may force the battery to run for a while, and overstressing it will lead to premature battery failure. By the way: driving on an old battery and the associated “lighting up”, starting the engine from a “pusher”, in tow will also not add a resource to the motor, and to the car as a whole. Regularly check the nozzles: visually for leaks and by touch. If the rubber has become hard, does not compress well, replace it before it starts to crack.

Трансмиссия

Look after your oil first and change it regularly. In some cars with a CVT it is written: "for the entire period of operation." However, the dealers themselves recommend filling in fresh every 60 thousand km. Like it or not, but the fact is the fact: the manual lasts longer.



If you have an “automatic”, “robot” or CVT, you can “kill” the gearbox with a few good slips in the mud.

Suspension

There is no need to wait for knocks, “breaks” on a bad road, staggering and pulling to the side when driving in a straight line. Regularly inspect the "gum" - protective covers, anthers. If you notice even small tears and cracks, change immediately. Well, when a small defect was “missed” and the hole turned the anther into a rag, it is better to put in a new part.



It can be a ball joint, CV joint, steering tip. Failure to replace a cheap part on time can lead to the failure of an expensive unit.

Body

A new car must be subjected to anti-corrosion treatment. In the future, regularly inspect the body. As soon as the "saffron milk caps" begin to appear, immediately take measures to eliminate them. If you start a business, it will be more difficult and expensive to deal with it later. At the same time, the threat may not necessarily come from outside: moisture from the rugs also causes holes in the bottom.



Subject to at least the above rules, the chances that the vehicle will reach the cherished six nines on the odometer increase. As it happened with some of the auto-centenarians who became famous.

Records

There are many of them, and some drivers even buy cars and put them in museums. A resident of Thessaloniki, the Greek Sakinidis, on a Mercedes-Benz 240D, managed to roll 4,6 million km, which is equal to three trips to the moon. Moreover, he bought a car in 1976 not new, in 1981 and with a mileage of 200 thousand km. He brought them to millions in 23 years. The Greek claims that he carefully monitored the car, doing maintenance on time.



The efforts of the car owner were not in vain: in a solemn atmosphere, the automaker company handed him a brand new Mercedes-Benz C200 СDI. But if you think that records can only be set on Mercedes and other luxury cars from the West, then you are greatly mistaken: the German Gerhardt Shotz wound his million on ... Moskvich-2140, which he bought back in the GDR in 1976. The German drove a car every day and considered his Mossy "indestructible". And the reason for longevity, as Gerhardt is sure, is the successful design of the car and the accuracy in maintenance.