How Many Kilometers Per Year Is Considered Normal for a Car?
2 Answers
Generally, 20,000 to 30,000 kilometers per year is considered normal. Here are some driving precautions to keep in mind: 1. Stalling on complex road sections: This often occurs due to improper coordination between the brake pedal and clutch pedal. When learning to drive at a driving school, practice usually takes place on wide roads with few pedestrians and under the guidance of an instructor. On public roads, with vehicles and pedestrians crossing paths, encountering red lights or pedestrians crossing the street, drivers may brake abruptly, causing the engine to stall. 2. Stalling while following a vehicle uphill: This is a common issue for new drivers. In such cases, after stalling, first engage the handbrake, then restart the engine, and calmly restart using the 'hill start' technique learned in driving school. Always pull the handbrake promptly to prevent rolling back; when restarting, apply more throttle to avoid stalling again. 3. 'Hand-over-hand steering': Some new drivers tend to reach inside the steering wheel to turn it when making U-turns or sharp turns, a practice colloquially known as 'hand-over-hand steering.' While this may seem easier, it is very dangerous: in an emergency, the hand may not be able to quickly withdraw (especially when wearing gloves) to perform emergency actions (like pulling the handbrake or turning off the ignition); sudden changes in front-wheel direction can easily injure the arm. 4. Keeping the left foot on the clutch pedal: In city driving, where the clutch is used frequently, new drivers may habitually rest their left foot on the clutch pedal. Over time, this becomes a habit. During high-speed driving, if an emergency requires sudden braking, pressing the brake pedal with the right foot while also pressing the clutch pedal with the left foot removes the engine's braking effect, preventing the car from stopping within the effective braking distance and potentially causing avoidable accidents.
As an ordinary office worker, I think driving about 15,000 kilometers a year is quite normal. I commute to work by car every morning, with a one-way distance of 15 kilometers, totaling 30 kilometers round trip. On weekdays alone, that adds up to over 600 kilometers a month. Plus, weekend trips to the supermarket or shopping add some scattered distance here and there. This mileage isn’t excessive, and my colleagues are in a similar range. When driving frequently, the car needs regular oil changes and brake pad inspections to prevent excessive wear. City traffic jams also increase fuel consumption—don’t underestimate these details, as they add up to higher costs and wear on the car. If you live in the suburbs or often take long trips, the mileage might be higher, say up to 20,000 kilometers, which is still within the normal range. The key is to track your own usage habits and avoid blindly comparing yourself to others.
