Life begins at 100,000 miles, right?

A few years ago, I got a great deal on an SUV. I tend to buy and hold when it comes to family cars. I’ve taken good care of my car, but it’s approaching 100,000 miles. I worry about it. Will it make another 100,000 miles?

Here’s how it plays out in my head. The car will start to nickel and dime me with problems. And then one day, I’ll be out somewhere and it will leave me stranded along the side of the road. I’ll be running late of course. I can see it plainly as I see the foot of snow out my window.

But still the optimist in me wonders. In this day and age isn’t everything younger? Isn’t 50 the new 40? And 40 the new 30?

Middle-aged folks today are as vibrant, healthy, and active as people in their 30s were in previous decades. We have improved health and longevity, we’re more youthful, and we have increased confidence and self-assuredness, right? Doesn’t it work the same way for cars and SUVs?

Bring on the automobile industry’s version of Botox and anti-aging cream!

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“Grow old with me! The best is yet to be.” –Robert Browning

“Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.” –Franz Kafka

“You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt; as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear, as young as your hope, as old as your despair.” –Samuel Ullman

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Living longer

If everything lasts longer and has a longer lifespan, it gets me thinking about possible impacts for my car. In fact, it raises a simple question. What steps should I be taking to help my car last longer?

When I researched it, I got lots of great ideas, everything from regular oil changes to replacing filters and spark plugs to ensure optimal performance. The research said to perform good battery maintenance and tire rotation. Yea, yea, I get all that, but I’m thinking bigger picture.

Maybe I should give it a Green Smoothie Cleanse? Or a Colon Cleanse? Maybe I should sign it up for a colonoscopy? Or a Couch to 5k Running Program or a 90-day Ultimate Workout – Bootcamp Program to get my SUV back into tip-top running shape!

Those are all good ideas, right? They would mean a cleaner engine and better gas mileage? How could that be bad? The next time I gun my engine, I might break a land speed record. I could go from zero to sixty in no time.

No Check Engine Lights

I didn’t have time this week to take my car to the garage. Okay, let me be real. I didn’t have the guts to call my garage and ask for their version of a Juice Cleanse. Can you imagine the look I would get on the other end of the phone? “What did you just ask for sir?” However, I did take it to the car wash to clean off the salt and muck from the winter. I also vacuumed out the inside.

That’s like going to the spa, right? I hope so. I’m counting on my car lasting another five to seven years. Let’s hope so anyway!

Am I crazy? Should I take my car to the car version of the mythical Fountain of Youth? Who’s with me?