Most people list it as a positive aspect of a car when it has high miles, but does it matter, really?
Does the fact that the miles were put on without a lot of stop and go (relatively) a positive aspect of the car or is it just an illusion.
Any opinions on the matter before I do the research?
Where to begin…
First and maybe largest part is that cold starts and short trips are the most harmfull for the vehicle out of all driving conditions. Than the wear on the transmission from shifting as oppsosed to sitting in one gear. I’ll leave it at those two things for now, I don’t feel like typing much =P
Less tear and wear on the clutch as well. So it seems that motor will be under less stress on highway use.
However how about suspension components, bushings etc? Could go either way.
Paint would also experience much more abuse at highway speeds.
Any other negative effects you guys can think of?
Less stress on the suspension bushings because you’re really not turning the steering wheel more than 10* in either direction when on a highway, usually. Also not as harsh because you don’t often see potholes on the highway.
Same goes for every component of the suspension, bushings, balljoints. The steering system… Not that steering racks wear out hahah. Could go either way for paint abuse, it will see more rock chips and such but beign on the highway means your putting those miles on the car in much less time than in the city so your spending less time with the car outdoors in the sun. There are TONS of little things you can think of to be plusses to highway milage if you really sit down to think about it.
What about certain mechanical parts of the engine that don’t come into play if you don’t hit a certain engine speed?
I mean the main one that comes to mind is any system working off an RPM activated switch (i.e. VTEC or other variable timing systems). My question is, if you do highway speed all of the time, and don’t use these components or engage them, do they “stick” or become less reliable?
Sounds dumb but hey thought I’d ask…
No dumb questions here, hence the discussion.
I think it may be a matter of “If you don’t use it, you lose it?”
Would wheel bearings be under more stress on highway? Bryan is there anything you have observed specifically that you could tell was a highway stress damage?
I honestly cant think of anything that would be under MORE stress from one constant speed than from always varying. Its possible that being at one constant speed would be bad for some components though I really can’t think of anything off the top of my head. The big thing to remember is that really engines don’t wear out these days so any extra wear that would be placed on the engine from one constant speed wouldnt ever matter if your getting rid of the car before the engine gives anyways. its the other components around it like suspension, brakes, convenience features. Another totally different thought is that the seats, seat adjustment features and stuff of that nature will see less wear and tear the less you get in and out of the car.
So myth is true?
Great!
From my massive two years of experience? Sure.
it all depends on the type of driving.