New products help keep higher mileage vehicles on the road

Ask the average person what a big cost of driving and maintaining a car or truck is, and they will say their insurance or fuel. But if you bought your vehicle new, you’d likely be wrong.

The biggest monthly “cost” is pure depreciation. The average Canadian sees the equivalent of hundreds of dollars per month in depreciation, taking a huge cut from the value of their vehicle.

As new vehicle prices continue to rise, Canadians are responding by holding onto their vehicles longer and longer. In fact, the age of the average Canadian vehicle on the road continues to rise, as vehicle longevity continues to improve. While some people just “have” to purchase a new vehicle every year or two, the good news for most folks is that most properly maintained vehicles will run for many, many years.

Even as automotive manufacturing, quality, and technology enable long life, there are specific things people can do to ensure the longest service life possible. Some are fairly obvious, like strictly adhering to m a n u f a c t u r e r s recommended service intervals. Engine oil, coolant, transmission fluid, and filters all need to be changed regularly in order to keep vehicles protected from corrosion caused by the aging and contamination of these fluids, even with normal, everyday use.

The filter experts at Fram have developed a special oil filter specifically for owners of vehicles with more than 120,000 kilometres who want to increase the longevity of their high mileage vehicle. A patented basket design in the centre of the filter features a gel insert that releases oil additives over time. These additives help maintain viscosity, reduce corrosive engine wear, neutralize acids, and keep engine components cleaner over time.

After dirty oil passes through unique media, the filtered oil enters the centre tube basket and FRAM

High Mileage with TRT gel (Time Release Technology). The additive slowly dissolves into the oil, giving additional protection for high mileage vehicles between oil changes.

“It’s a new approach to maintaining older vehicles that's built right into the

filter,” said Megan Currie, FRAM product manager. This exciting new product is available at your local Canadian Tire store. More information is available online at www.Fram.com.

- News Canada