After buying a car, the question that haunts motorists is: how long will my car engine last? Let’s see some tips and advice together.
There are certainly several considerations to be made, including use, type of power supply and maintenance care. In this article we will look at some tips and tricks to make your car’s engine more efficient and longer lasting.
Duration of the engine and type of use
The first thing to debunk is the idea of 100,000km. Engines with 100,000km in the last ten years have gone out of run-in and the myth that engines last 100,000km is absolutely wrong. The important factor for a long engine life is maintenance.
Motor oil
Let’s start immediately with the first factor in order to keep your car’s engine efficient: engine oil. Engine oil, as we know, is responsible for the lubrication of all components and represents the life of the engine.
It plays a fundamental role, especially in new generation engines, where tolerances are minimal, cold start lubrication is essential, especially in diesel engines with FAP regeneration, and all carbon residues put the engine oil in a critical situation. .
Vehicle manufacturers must comply with anti-pollution control regulations, and therefore recommend maintenance every 30-40,000 km, because overhauling a vehicle every 10,000 km would increase pollution. But the advice we give, going against the trend, instead is that of anticipate the coupon than the recommended maintenance schedule, as it would extend the life of your vehicle.
Filters
Another factor is the filters. The filter must always be 100% efficient. If you decide to fit a sports filter, you will certainly benefit from it, but it will need to be kept much cleaner than the original cardboard filter.
A sports filter lets more air through if its fabric is well lubricated. Use the minimum amount of lubricant indicated by the filter manufacturer and pay close attention. This is because an excessive amount of oil in the filter will stick to the sensor and thus give false errors.
The engine temperature
Another important factor is the engine temperature. Here are three fundamental factors of engine temperature.
The first factor is the engine oil temperature. You will know very well that the new generation of engines, due to their construction, high compression ratios and performance, can withstand impossible temperatures, especially cold, but especially hot. The oil is then subjected to stress again.
The second factor is the cooling liquid. In the first few years of operation, the coolant works at 100%, but over the years the radiators used to cool the water become more easily contaminated with pollen.
So, when pollen forms in front of the radiators, where the air obviously passes through, the thermal efficiency decreases. As a result, the coolant dissipates less heat and the temperature rises. And therefore all the components will suffer.
The third factor is i exhaust gas. If the engine is poorly maintained or the injectors are malfunctioning, the temperature of the exhaust gases can rise to frightening levels. Everything related to the exhaust gases, from the exhaust valves to the turbocharger, are increasingly supercharged in both petrol and diesel engines, and the temperature of the exhaust gases is an important factor.
Driving style
A factor not to be underestimated is obviously it driving style. A conservative driving style, such as the frequent use of low revs, therefore a more urban driving, can cause a lot of fouling and reduce the reliability of the engine.
But also with a very sporty driving style there must be more frequent oil changes, obviously because the temperature is higher. However, it is clear that a sporty driving style will put a strain on the rings, bushings and pistons.
Out of revs
Another factor that can accelerate engine wear is i out of sight, which can be very dangerous. An overrun of only 200-300 revolutions from the limiter can cause an elongation, a rotation speed, which endangers many moving parts such as bushings, pins and pistons.
Fortune
The last factor that can guarantee you the reliability of an engine is one great luck. Even after countless component checks on the production line, tens of thousands of motors can be faulty and there is nothing to be done. You can ask the manufacturer to schedule an update or you will have to make the decision to change your car.
