re: helping my car last longer

[gramps]

I have an interesting scenario,
My mazda3 has about 32 000k on it (owned not leased),
My wife bought a new Honda civic that now has 280 000km on it. yes you heard correctly.

My commute to work (and back) is 5km total
Her commute to work (and back) is 50km total.

The goal is trying not to kill her car anytime soon, so I have opted to drive it 6 months out of the year to reduce her kilometers.

The question is...
Do you think that her car (civic) would last longer being driven short in the winter (I would drive it), and long in the summer (she would drive it), or the other way around???
Are winter conditions harsher on a long life car? or summer?
thoughts.
-gramps

[TheProfessor]

Honestly, if you just take care of the Civic I wouldn't worry about when you do and don't drive it. My old 91 Civic Si had 340,000km on it when I sold it and it was still going strong (mechanically anyways).

Out of curiousity, what model year is the Civic?

[gramps]

Honestly, if you just take care of the Civic I wouldn't worry about when you do and don't drive it. My old 91 Civic Si had 340,000km on it when I sold it and it was still going strong (mechanically anyways).

Out of curiousity, what model year is the Civic?

it is a 1999. I think it is a DX

[TheProfessor]

Oh yeah, one other thing, if it hasn't already, the car WILL rust, and there's nothing you can do about it. Civic's are notorious for rusting near the wheel wells, and once it starts, it's not worth the cash to fix as it will likely reappear (speaking from experience here).

[WTKAOS]

Krown or Rustcheck the Civic and drive it farther in the winter. Short drives are killer for a car in the winter.

[gramps]

Krown or Rustcheck the Civic and drive it farther in the winter. Short drives are killer for a car in the winter.

Why is that so?

[condor888000]

Not enough time for it to reach operating temperature. Oil is still thick and won't circulate as well as it would at operating temperature.

[Noisy Crow]

You would do well to alternate every week or better yet everyday. That would sure it gets a good run, the moisture is driven out of the oil, etc. etc.

[ShortBus]

unless the car has some sentimental value or money is kind of tight, just drive it to the ground.

[Flagrum_3]

I say get both sprayed at Krown if not already, and alternate vehicles weekly and check the timing belt on the civic if not already done.

_3


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[mogul_pro]

5km?

Take a walk to work bud.. lol

[gramps]

5km?

Take a walk to work bud.. lol

(5km to the subway)
so i am getting a consensus here that the winter is harder than a hot summer on a car. Intersting

[Flagrum_3]

(5km to the subway)
so i am getting a consensus here that the winter is harder than a hot summer on a car. Intersting

By Far!! Especially doing alot of short runs, this effects alot of the vehicle because it never gets warmed to the occasion....engine, tranny, exhaust, bearings etc;....Come to think of it, it would probably be a good thing for the 3 to start switching but not so much for the civic.


_3


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[ravin13]

Winter is harsher because of the cold, road conditions, salt, ect. When you drive your car, you will get moisture in the crank case. when your car heats up to operating temperature, this will get rid of the moisture via the PCV valve. If that moisture is allowed to sit in your crank case, it will build up, degrade your oil, and make it become acidic, damaging your entire engine. I live about 5k from my work as well, and twice a week, I take my car for a boot on the highway, just a good 20-30min drive to get that engine hot.

Do your regular maintenance, and I prefer Rust Check to Krown

[alhope34]

A guy I used to work with bought a 93 civic si hatch at 180,000kms, he beats on it extremely hard every time he takes it out. It is now 7 years later has 380,000kms and after 200,000kms of owning it, has to change the clutch due to normal wear and tear. Other than normal oil changes, brake servicing and whatnot, nothing has been done to repair the car mechanically. I think you will be safe.

[x_o_k_x]

I had honda civic 91 with 450k on it and still was going strong, untill one day a lady hit me from behind.. These cars last forever

[Hives]

Canadian weather will eat the body of the Civic in a matter of time. Mechanically, it will last if you take care of it properly. Use high mileage oil, it works well. If for some reason the engine blows on you and the body is mint, buy a used D16 motor for that car. It should cost you like $900-1200 installed, and should last you a very, very long time. Goodluck!