The Chevy Malibu. Now there’s a cool car. Whether you’re driving a 1964-1983 classic or a 1997-present revival model, it’s a car you want to last forever. But every vehicle has an expiration date, as there are only so many miles you’re promised.
How many miles will a Chevy Malibu last?
These cars are estimated to last anywhere from 100,000 to 150,000 miles. That doesn’t mean they’re going to come apart at the seams the moment you hit 151k, but you’re more likely to experience problems past that point.
Below we’ll go in-depth, exploring what actually causes an eventual breakdown and how you can prolong the life of your vehicle. A Malibu can’t last forever, but there are plenty of things you can do to get more than 150k miles out of it.
How is a Car’s Lifespan Determined?
When exactly is a car considered kaput? It’s really a matter of opinion. Your average driver might tell you it’s the transmission. The transmission is really the backbone of the car, and it’s costly and difficult to replace, so once that’s gone, so is the car.
Ask a classic car collector, and they’ll tell you that a car can survive for as long as the body holds up. You can always replace the nuts and bolts under the hood, but when the last 1983 Malibu body has rusted out, there’s nothing left to replace it with.
For most of us, it’s when our Malibus are more expensive to keep than to replace. That’s when it’s done for. If you really love your Malibu, maybe it’ll be worth the cost to overhaul it, but at that point, it’s not exactly the car you bought anymore.
Joining the High Mileage Club
The 100-150k number is assuming regular wear and tear and regular driving habits. The main thing you need to think about is the transmission. Malibu drivers have hit 200k, 300k miles with the same engine and transmission with careful driving.
The car will experience wear and tear, no matter what. It’s basically just a bunch of clanging steel and aluminum, and that’s not going to last forever. But if you take care of the transmission, you can easily pass 150k miles. Here are some tips:
- Use your parking brake. If you let your transmission do the work when parking, you’re going to put unnecessary stress on the parking pawl
- Don’t rest your hand on the shifter. This is putting added weight on the transmission
- Change your oil regularly. Chevy recommends every 3,000-5,000 miles for regular oil or 7,500-10,000 for synthetic
- Don’t abruptly switch from drive to reverse. Ease into it. Even if it means missing out on a great parking space, your drivetrain doesn’t like it when you switch it too fast
- Don’t overload the car. The Malibu’s tow capacity is just 1,000 pounds, which is how a carmaker tells you “don’t use this for towing”
- Drive your vehicle where it’s meant to be driven. Malibus are built for streets and highways, not for rocky hills and backroads
No car lasts forever. But with careful driving habits, there’s no reason your Malibu can’t outlive the three-year/36,000-mile warranty several times over. Read your owner’s manual, get a feel for your car, and drive it with care.
Photos: Chevrorlet
