If it’s a weekend getaway, or a trip across the country minivans can take you anywhere, all you have to do is get on the road and enjoy. Minivans are practical, durable, powerful, and perfect large family cars, which can be used for multiple purposes. They come in different shapes and sizes, it has 3 rows of seats, making it have seating for 7-8 people.
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Despite their many positives those aren’t the number things that you should look at when purchasing a vehicle. One thing that many people wonder about is how long a minivan will typically last.
Minivans will typically last 200,000-300,000 miles but how long they last depends on whether maintenance and repairs are performed as needed over its life. The minivans that typically last the longest are the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey but other minivans that are well taken care of can last a long time as well.
Minivans are commonly used in American suburban regions; as it has foldable rear seats, it’s a common choice for family camping trips. Compared to a full size van, minivans have smaller tires, lower clearance, a lower roof, and a smaller engine. A full size van cannot be parked in a typical home garage, but minivans are designed such that they can be parked easily.
The very practical nature of minivans is what makes them desirable. Passengers, as well as luggage, can be carried and the rear foldable seats allow anyone to make a flat compartment for luggage. Some people also use this flat area to sleep in their cars when camping.
How many miles can a minivan really go?
“With great power, comes great responsibility; of maintenance.” It’s a fact.
Almost all cars are manufactured to serve their purpose for at least 200,000 miles. A well-maintained minivan can actually last for more than 300,000 miles, and can still have a decent resale value. Minivan engines are durable; they can easily go more than 300,000 miles without any major problems. However, it depends on the manufacturer and also the user and their purpose with the car.
A minivan’s chassis and body can last almost forever, as long as the car is not sitting idle for more than a year. Paint touch-ups and scratch removal can do the trick. Minivans are one of the longest lasting cars on the roads without a doubt. Even SUVs typically don’t last for more than 300,000 miles.
So, we know minivans are the real MVPs of the road, but what if we want them to go further? Or can they run even further?
How to help minivans go the extra mile
One word answer: maintenance.
There are several parts of a vehicle that require a touch of care once in a while. The major parts of the system are engine, transmission, and differential. These three components together run the whole machine.
The engine has many moving parts and these parts run at thousands of RPM, which creates heat… a lot of it! This heat if not cooled down can cause cracks in the engine or its components.
The transmission also has various moving parts and the same can happen to it. Lubricants of different types are used to avoid wear and tear of mechanical parts. Lubricant oils create a thin layer between the two moving surfaces. If one part of this machine fails the whole system can cease to work.
To avoid such problems these tips should be kept in mind:
- Keep the fluids in check. Engine, transmission, and differential fluids should be changed at a set distance. 3000 to 4000 miles for engine oil, 30,000 to 60,000 for transmission fluid, and for differential 30,000 to 50,000 miles. Other fluids like; coolant, brake fluid, and steering fluid must be kept in check to enhance efficiency.
- The damaged part must be replaced. Damaged parts can damage other parts of the system. A broken gear can cause the whole transmission to malfunction. If you find a part that isn’t working right it’s best to replace it right away so it doesn’t cause other issues.
- Don’t let it sit. Cars slowly wither away when they sit for too long. The prime cause of corrosion in your car is sitting idle. Keep your minivan running regularly and it’ll be good to go.
- Neat and tidy wins the race. When it comes to long life, a clean interior and exterior can help you go the extra mile. It can reduce corrosion effectively of the body which in turn will allow you to keep longer.
- Drive safe. A car is nothing without a decent driver. Accidents are bad for you and also your vehicle. Drive safely and drive responsibly to get those extra miles on your vehicle.
Some well-maintained minivans have even run for 400,000 miles! Maintenance is the key to making your car last for decades.
What about service intervals?
Different cars have different service requirements. For a minivan, it is every 3,000-5,000 miles. Service means check-up and tune-up. This check-up is done to ensure the performance of the different parts and smooth functioning is ensured to enhance the lifetime of the vehicle.
Some basic checks that need to be done include; oil changes, lights check, wheel condition, suspension stiffness, wheel alignment, etc. Wheels should be replaced every 6 years, as old tires are often the culprits of accidents.
Service intervals depend on the type of engine oil you use. Some synthetic oils work for 10,000 miles. Usually, 3,000 to 4000-mile lubricants are used so you will have to change the oil at that interval.
Top 4 minivans that should last 300,000+ miles
Out of minivans that were manufactured before 2007, almost 25% have already crossed the 200,000-mile mark. Some cars needed extra maintenance; some select models even have transmission issues, even after the best of maintenance.
The best of minivans also might end up with major engine issues, the issues might have developed due to an existing manufacturing defect, or along the way due to poor maintenance practices.
The top 4 minivans with the majority of units above 300,000 are:
- Ford Freestar: Discontinued in 2007, the Freestar is the minivan that is the most recognized getaway vehicle in many movies. Many Freestar’s have gone beyond the limit and recorded almost 350,000 miles. It came with a 4.2L – V6 engine, with 4-speed automatic transmission.
- Dodge Caravan: Now the Grand Caravan comes with a 3.6L – V6 engine and 6-speed transmission.
- Toyota Sienna: Its latest model comes with a 2.5L – I4 engine, and eCVT automatic transmission also available in all-wheel-drive. The Toyota Sienna is the most reliable minivan and has great performance and mileage.
- Honda Odyssey: The most practical, the most reliable, and the longest life, the Odyssey has it all. With a 3.5L – V6 engine, a 9-speed transmission, and sleek looks, Honda Odyssey is also the most beautiful beast.
Conclusion
Despite minivans typically being used for long road trips and to haul a lot of people, luggage, etc. they will typically last at least 200k miles and there are actually a good number of minivans that have made it to 300k!
The only way to get your minivan to that sort of mileage is through regular maintenance, repairs, and paying attention. If you notice oil on the ground every time you use your minivan then you will want to take the time to find the issue and fix it so you don’t end up with a blown engine.
Small things like paying attention to a long way to making your minivan last as long as possible.