It is a habit we all have: look at the odometer on a car and use the mileage to determine how much longer it will likely last. In the past, 100,000 miles was considered a long life for a vehicle. That is now considered mid-life.
The current average lifespan of a car now is 11.8 years, the highest it has ever been. Cars average 150,000 to 300,000 miles, many higher. Let’s take a look at some impressive statistics on Ford car longevity.
A Well-Maintained Car Lives a Long Life
With vehicle owners keeping their cars longer than ever, and the vehicles designed to last 250,000 miles or more, routine car maintenance is important. The key factor in lengthening your car’s life is to follow the maintenance schedule outlined in your Ford Owner’s Manual.
Regular maintenance is more than periodic oil changes. It includes having all fluids checked and filled as needed, plus regular tire rotations. The Ford dealership where you purchased your vehicle is the perfect location for all service needs.
Whether you use the service center at your Ford dealership or an outside mechanic, it must be someone who is familiar with Ford vehicles and runs a trustworthy service. They should know when your car is due for service and be familiar with your vehicle’s recommended service schedule. A Ford dealership service department can handle all your vehicle’s needs.
Ford Warranty
Ford offers a 4-year/50,000 mile warranty and a 6-year/70,000 powertrain warranty on new vehicles. All vehicles come with a paint warranty and anti-corrosion warranty, so all aspects of your automobile are protected.
The paint warranty covers any paint on the surface of the car body that needs repair due to a manufacturing defect. This is done free of charge at any Ford authorized retailer. This is covered even if you are not the original owner of the vehicle. The warranty is good for the same time period as the vehicle’s Ford base warranty.
Ford is an innovator in the world of anti-corrosive coatings. That is why Ford offers an industry-leading corrosion warranty. The warranty provides repair or replacement of any panels that become perforated by rust corrosion.
This work is also done free of charge at any authorized Ford repairer, even if you are not the original owner. The perforation warranty is good for 6-12 years, depending on the model.
Ford Torture Test
Every vehicle goes through a plethora of tests before hitting the market. Let’s take a fun look at the testing done on the 2019 Ford Ranger before it landed in showrooms.
The torture testing of this vehicle spanned the globe with tests being conducted in the Australian outback. Additional tests were done on Silver Creek track at the Michigan proving grounds.
The tests in the outback subjected the pickup to blazing heat and unforgiving terrain. Every area of the vehicle was tested. This included the cloth and leather-trimmed seats, the high-strength steel frame, and the EcoBoost engine.
The terrain management system of the Ranger provides push-button off-road control. Pushing a button provides an automatic change of calibration in the engine and transmission.
Testing for impact resistance conditions is done at the Michigan proving grounds. This testing is so dangerous that human drivers are not allowed. The vehicle is driven remotely during this testing phase.
If the harsh Australian terrain and the Michigan proving grounds tests weren’t grueling enough, the 2019 Ranger was then taken to the lab. At the lab, the Ranger was placed on a four-post shaker table and beaten without mercy. This is what it means to say a pickup is FORD TOUGH.
Living a Long Life: Car Longevity Examples
We can tell you Ford engines are crafted with high-tech, engineered materials. We can state that vehicles such as the F-150 have proprietary diamond-like carbon finish on their engines to prevent engine wear. We can tell you this results in high performance and longevity on things like the engine block and the powertrain.
Statistics are good, but real examples are better. They prove that FORD TOUGH means exactly that.
According to a 2018 study, the F-150’s platform is among the most bulletproof in the industry. The F-150 ranks among the top 15 with almost two percent having exceeded 200,000 miles when their owners sold them in 2018. The F-250 Super Duty was also found to have more trucks above 200,000 miles than any other vehicle.
The study also stated that in 2017 and 2018, 5.4 percent of Ford Expeditions sold by owners had more than 200,000 miles on the odometer, and a large number were over 300,000 miles.
Owner Reviews
It is always helpful to look at reviews by Ford owners regarding the longevity of their vehicles. That is where we learned that Norman and Debbie Conner traded in their 2002 Ford-350 when it was just over 1,071,000 miles. They had been using it to transport campers and trailers across the country.
Duane Thalan has driven his 1999 F-250 past the 1,229,000-mile mark and it is still going strong. The truck has the original fuel injectors. He uses his truck to haul campers and boats all over the United States and Canada.
There is a 2001 Ford Windstar that has in excess of 520,000 miles. It is still running on the original motor and has been subjected to 16 years of Arizona heat, which includes 100+ degree summers.
The reviews also included comments from the owner of a 2000 Ford Taurus with over 317,000 miles on it. At the same time, another owner has a 2001 Ford Escape with over 400,000 miles and it is still going strong. The owner is very happy with the unbeatable mileage he receives.
Dana and Gavin Beachum of New Jersey have a 1999 Ford Expedition. The SUV has endured hot summers and cold winters. They have had to replace fuel pumps, a catalytic converter, and a few coils, but at over 500,000 miles on the original transmission and engine, they are more than satisfied with the life of their vehicle.
If you are driving a Ford car, whether it is only a few years old or has enjoyed a long life, the above indicates that the value of your trade-in will be strong.
Shop Now
Whether you are wondering about your current car’s longevity or in the market for a new vehicle, now is the perfect time to shop on our inventory page.
We welcome you to visit our dealership at 1432 US Highway 45 Bypass, Jackson, Tennessee to check out our in-stock inventory.
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