When it comes to both new and used cars, there is maintenance involved. You have likely noticed that servicing your car is structured around the mileage. This measure is used in almost every aspect of a repair schedule.
The manual will tell you how far the vehicle can be driven before it needs a tire rotation, oil change, or replacement of certain parts. There are some reasons why mileage is used instead of another barometer, such as time.
Miles Versus Time for Used Cars
When you drive the car, it will produce a significant amount of heat under the hood and over time, that heat cause fluids and parts to just wear out.
Some commercial vehicles have an engine monitor that helps track how long the truck has been running because idling is an important component of that type of environment.
It’s far easier for the automaker to keep track of how many miles have been driven instead of figuring out how much time is spent on the road.
Driving Versus Storage
Heat also affects other parts of the car, such as the tires. The heat generated from friction on the road wears away the rubber on the tires. This is why you need to rotate the tires at specific intervals.
It wouldn’t make sense to rotate tires every three months if the vehicle isn’t being driven on the road. This is also true for engine belts. If the car is just sitting in a garage, the belts aren’t in danger of wearing out.
The Exceptions
After a while, servicing used cars does have to consider the mileage and how long certain fluids or components have been in use.
A vehicle stored for six months and only used sparingly should have its oil changed to keep the additives fresh. The rubber on tires will break down if the car is being stored in a sunny location, even when not in use.