7 ms·

Did I misread? >In order to estimate annual maintenance costs, we found the amount spent on every two oil changes (as oil changes are generally done every six

by spydum 10y ago

Did I misread? >In order to estimate annual maintenance costs, we found the amount spent on every two oil changes (as oil changes are generally done every six months). This cost only considers oil changes? That is not a realistic cost of total maintenance over 10 years.

dionidium 10y ago
Of course not. Those totals would be ridiculous if only for oil changes.
busterarm 10y ago
I think most US consumers with newer cars typically only get maintenance done when they do their oil changes. Usually other services get tacked on the same bill. If they're just going by total receipt, this is probably fine.
giarc 10y ago
It's not written well, but I imagine they are getting the cost of all work completed when an oil change is completed. Typically owners will get scheduled maintenance done at the same time they get an oil change done. 1 appointment instead of 2.
rm999 10y ago
No, that makes no sense because you wouldn't see that kind of variance in the prices. I think in your quote they're saying they're using oil changes as a unit of time. This is because oil changes are usually done on a regular cycles, and because when you get your oil changed you often get your other maintenance done.
- ams6110 10y ago
  Depending on whether you use cheap conventional oil or expensive full synthetic, your oil change interval could vary by a factor of 3 or so.
  - feld 10y ago
    Keep in mind there's a difference between full synthetic and 100% synthetic
bm5k 10y ago
TL;DR I think this is a reasonable assumption. Anecdata: Just over 250,000 on my 2007 Honda CRV and with $1k in unscheduled mechanical maintenance and around another $1k in non-mechanical maintenance. Assuming a 10,000 mile oil change cycle (I only change the oil when the car recommends it, and it seems to avg about 10k miles) that's 25 oil changes so far, for a total of ~$1800 (assuming dealer oil change + full synthetic, which has been all but two of my oil changes so far; does not include tax). Warning, opinions ahead: In my experience, most people do not follow the recommended preventative maintenance plans for their vehicles, and rely solely on oil, tires, and gas changes, and all three only when necessary. Here be dragons: At an over-all average MPG (according to the car's own computer) of 25, I've spent more on fuel than the cost of the vehicle, including loan interest, in the 250,000 miles. Getting waaaaay out there: 32k for car + interest, 35k in fuel, 10k in other scheduled work (I believe in preventative maintenance), upgrades, cleaning, etc for a total cost of ownership of about ~80k means I've paid ~$3/mile driven.
- maxerickson 10y ago
  I think you've missed a decimal in your reported cost per mile.
  - mlpinit 10y ago
    I don't think he did. 250k/80k ~ 3
    - maxerickson 10y ago
      Cost per mile would have miles as the denominator.
      - mlpinit 10y ago
        I feel silly. I guess I fell for the same trap. I think he meant to say he did 3 miles for every dollar...
  - deleted 10y ago
    [deleted]
FigBug 10y ago
By that logic my Nissan Leaf will have $0 maintenance costs. The only listed maintence items to 120,000 miles are: Replace brake fluid, Replace in-cabin microfilter, Rotate tires https://owners.nissanusa.com/content/techpub/ManualsAndGuides/NissanLEAF/2013/2013-NissanLEAF-service-maintenance-guide.pdf https://owners.nissanusa.com/content/techpub/ManualsAndGuide...
- outworlder 10y ago
  Don't forget annual battery checks. Mandatory for warranty. Your logic is not too far off actually. Our cars have no spark plugs(and cables), radiators, starter motors killing the 12v battery, gas pumps, fuel lines, fuel filters, oil, etc. So much less to worry about. Heck, even the brake pads should last longer, due to the regenerative braking. So barring any unforeseen events (such as something like the inverter or the internal charging burning out, which I haven't seen in the Leaf forums), the maintenance costs should be pretty low indeed. These things you mention are pretty cheap. Honestly, they should depreciate way less than they currently do. Those things are incredibly reliable, and the current battery chemistry is way better than the first model, even if it is not thermally managed.

by spydum 10y ago

dionidium 10y ago

Of course not. Those totals would be ridiculous if only for oil changes.

busterarm 10y ago

I think most US consumers with newer cars typically only get maintenance done when they do their oil changes. Usually other services get tacked on the same bill. If they're just going by total receipt, this is probably fine.

giarc 10y ago

It's not written well, but I imagine they are getting the cost of all work completed when an oil change is completed. Typically owners will get scheduled maintenance done at the same time they get an oil change done. 1 appointment instead of 2.

rm999 10y ago

No, that makes no sense because you wouldn't see that kind of variance in the prices. I think in your quote they're saying they're using oil changes as a unit of time. This is because oil changes are usually done on a regular cycles, and because when you get your oil changed you often get your other maintenance done.

ams6110 10y ago
Depending on whether you use cheap conventional oil or expensive full synthetic, your oil change interval could vary by a factor of 3 or so.
- feld 10y ago
  Keep in mind there's a difference between full synthetic and 100% synthetic

bm5k 10y ago

TL;DR I think this is a reasonable assumption. Anecdata: Just over 250,000 on my 2007 Honda CRV and with $1k in unscheduled mechanical maintenance and around another $1k in non-mechanical maintenance. Assuming a 10,000 mile oil change cycle (I only change the oil when the car recommends it, and it seems to avg about 10k miles) that's 25 oil changes so far, for a total of ~$1800 (assuming dealer oil change + full synthetic, which has been all but two of my oil changes so far; does not include tax). Warning, opinions ahead: In my experience, most people do not follow the recommended preventative maintenance plans for their vehicles, and rely solely on oil, tires, and gas changes, and all three only when necessary. Here be dragons: At an over-all average MPG (according to the car's own computer) of 25, I've spent more on fuel than the cost of the vehicle, including loan interest, in the 250,000 miles. Getting waaaaay out there: 32k for car + interest, 35k in fuel, 10k in other scheduled work (I believe in preventative maintenance), upgrades, cleaning, etc for a total cost of ownership of about ~80k means I've paid ~$3/mile driven.

maxerickson 10y ago
I think you've missed a decimal in your reported cost per mile.
- mlpinit 10y ago
  I don't think he did. 250k/80k ~ 3
  - maxerickson 10y ago
    Cost per mile would have miles as the denominator.
    - mlpinit 10y ago
      I feel silly. I guess I fell for the same trap. I think he meant to say he did 3 miles for every dollar...
- deleted 10y ago
  [deleted]

FigBug 10y ago

By that logic my Nissan Leaf will have $0 maintenance costs. The only listed maintence items to 120,000 miles are: Replace brake fluid, Replace in-cabin microfilter, Rotate tires https://owners.nissanusa.com/content/techpub/ManualsAndGuides/NissanLEAF/2013/2013-NissanLEAF-service-maintenance-guide.pdf https://owners.nissanusa.com/content/techpub/ManualsAndGuide...

outworlder 10y ago
Don't forget annual battery checks. Mandatory for warranty. Your logic is not too far off actually. Our cars have no spark plugs(and cables), radiators, starter motors killing the 12v battery, gas pumps, fuel lines, fuel filters, oil, etc. So much less to worry about. Heck, even the brake pads should last longer, due to the regenerative braking. So barring any unforeseen events (such as something like the inverter or the internal charging burning out, which I haven't seen in the Leaf forums), the maintenance costs should be pretty low indeed. These things you mention are pretty cheap. Honestly, they should depreciate way less than they currently do. Those things are incredibly reliable, and the current battery chemistry is way better than the first model, even if it is not thermally managed.