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Cars On U.S. Roads Are Older Than Ever Before

They don’t make cars like they used to. In fact, that is so true, that increased reliability combined with economic downturns have kept cars going on American roads longer than ever. As of 2011, the average age of vehicles on the road is now 10.8 years, an all-time high.
The three big factors that have collided to cause this increase the age of cars have been the higher level of quality of both new and used cars, the high cost of new cars, and a decline in the number of miles being driven by Americans.
“The old days of vehicles rusting out after four or five years are gone. Cars are so much better made in order to compete in the market,” David Cole, the chairman emeritus of the Center for Automotive Research told The Detroit News.
There has also been a slowing in new car sales in the past few years, with U.S. sales dropping from around 16 million per year in the early 2000s to 12.8 million in 2011. Converse to the decrease auto sales, the average age rose from just 8.4 years old in 1996 to almost 11 years old last year. Most notable in the past few years, according to The Detroit News is the fact that light trucks saw a jump from an average of 10.1 to 10.4 years old from 2010 to 2011; passenger cars rose from 11.0 to 11.1 years old on average in the same time period.
What car buyers there are out there have seen their credit lines shrink and close with the U.S. economy’s contraction, making it hard to purchase a new car. Those with poor credit scores face high interest rates on the loans they can attain. Mark Seng, global aftermarket practice leader at Polk, noted to The Detroit News that “dealer service departments and independent repair facilities, as well as aftermarket parts suppliers, will see increased business opportunity with customers in need of vehicle service,” since it is often less expensive to repair an older car than to buy a new one.
Americans are also driving less, as the price of gas rises. In the first 10 months of 2011, 36 billion fewer miles were driven, a drop of 1.4 percent. With less wear and tear on vehicles, there is less need to replace current ones, no matter their age. That said, there is a new need for automakers to develop vehicles and features that lure drivers away from the secondhand market and back into showrooms.

Tips for a Tidy Interior #3

#3
Get a paint brush and a toothbrush. These are the two best tools for accessing hard-to-reach cracks, crevices and corners. The paint brush is great for reaching into deep locations. Vacuum with one hand as you brush those hard-to-reach locations, and you'll quickly clean up tricky spots. Leave both brushes in your glove compartment, so you'll have them when you stop by your local car wash and vacuum emporium.

Final Tips for a Spotless Exterior

#9
Forget the pricey automotive cleaners. Instead, use a mild, liquid soap that's well diluted. That'll do everything you need, such as removing dirt, grease, and films without damaging plastics or other materials. Plus, it's a lot cheaper than the aggressively marketed, fancy products.

#10
Dry your vehicle immediately, to prevent water spots. Chamois work well. One commercial product I like is, "The Absorber."

More Tips for a Spotless Exterior

#8
Be very cautious when cleaning wheels, especially if you're using a spray-on wheel cleaner. This is not just for your car's health, but for yours as well. Wheels can be extremely hot if the car has just been driven. This is especially likely with wheels that use high-performance brakes. When you spray wheel-cleaning chemicals on hot metal, the chemicals will vaporize - and you'll inhale them, which can't possibly be good for you.

Use upholstery cleaners on soiled seats

The same upholstery cleaners you use at home can be used on your car’s upholstery. Use them sparingly, however, to avoid saturating the fabric. Use a clean cloth to wipe away the foam. On velour seats, brush the fibers gently to avoid matting them and to preserve the original texture of the fabric.

Synthetic Oil versus Regular Oil

Synthetic Oil versus Regular Oil - Let's find out what's the difference between synthetic and regular oil?

Motor oil is distilled from crude oil. This base oil is made up of some of hydrocarbons with anywhere from sixteen to thirty-six carbon atoms that can be hooked together to form a wide range of molecules. The difference between traditional and synthetic oil comes from how this base oil is handled. Traditional oils retain the full range of molecules while synthetic oils are further refined to remove less desirable components like acids and waxes. The American Petroleum Institute separates these oils into classes: Base II and III oils are used in traditional motor oils while Base IV is used in synthetic oils. In America Base III oils that have Base IV additives can also be marketed as being synthetic.


Why Are Synthetic Oils Better Than Conventional Oils?

Synthetic oils are more resistant to oxydation and acids, increasing service life. Some users have started monitoring the quality of of their oils as they are used so that they are only replaced when necessary.

A petroleum product's "cloud point" is the temperature at which solids become visible in petroleum products. Synthetic oils have a lower cloud point than conventional oils making them suitable for use in severe cold.

Synthetic oils reduce friction more than conventional oils. This improves fuel economy and power while reducing part wear.

Synthetic oils are also more resistant to burning, lowering oil use and engine soot. Many high-performance and low emissions engines now require synthetic oil to ensure engine sensors stay clean.


Can I Use Synthetic Oil In Motorcycles Or Other Equipment With Wet Clutches?

Yes. Early synthetic oils would reduce friction to a point that these wet clutches wouldn't engage. Newer motorcycle-specific oils let these clutches work normally while providing the performance expected from synthetics. Friction modifiers are available to make gear oils compatible with limited slip and locking differentials.


Can I Use Synthetic Oil In An Older Engine?

Yes. Exposure to oil causes rubber gaskets to swell and remain flexible. Early synthetic oils were less effective causing leaks in engines; newer oils have additives that allow them to maintain or surpass the seal preservation qualities of conventional oil.


What Do I Need To Do To Switch To A Synthetic Oil?

Conventional oils can be replaced by synthetic oils that have a similar weight and service classification. Synthetic and conventional oils can be mixed, but the life of the oil won't be longer than straight conventional oil. While it is possible to extend oil life past manufacturer's specifications with careful monitoring, oil filter life will not be extended.

To find out more about why synthetic motor oil is good for your vehicle go to ByLandOrSea.com. Amsoil synthetic motor oil and other AMSOIL products to help you keep your vehicle in top condition.

Myth: Let your engine warm up for several minutes before driving

Reality: That might have been good advice for yesteryear's cars but is less so today. Modern engines warm up more quickly when they're driven. And the sooner they warm up, the sooner they reach maximum efficiency and deliver the best fuel economy and performance. But don't rev the engine high over the first few miles while it's warming up.