Explore the differences between highway and city miles and their impact on your car. Learn how traffic conditions can influence maintenance needs.
You may think a mile is a mile, but your route and the traffic you encounter can affect your Mercedes-Benz differently. In this article, we’ll break down the difference between highway miles and city miles — and the impact each might have on your vehicle and maintenance schedule.
Before we discuss the potential effects on your vehicle, you might wonder what city and highway miles are in the first place.
Highway miles refer to miles driven primarily on highways or freeways where the car can maintain a constant higher speed with minimal stops. If you live in a metropolitan area, highway miles are likely what you cover driving outside the city and into other towns or areas.
City miles are accumulated through driving in urban or city environments. They are characterized by frequent stops and starts due to traffic lights, stop signs, and heavy traffic. So, you can be on a highway or freeway, but if it’s in a congested metropolitan area, you’re likely driving city miles.
City driving tends to be tougher on vehicles like your Mercedes due to constant stress on the brakes and engine from stopping, going, and idling. Starting and stopping can lead to quicker wear and tear on various vehicle parts, particularly the brakes and tires. Driving city miles frequently also typically results in lower fuel efficiency.
Highway driving is usually easier on your vehicle, but why are highway miles better? Without all the stopping and sitting, your vehicle can maintain a more constant speed, allowing your engine to operate at a steady rate. This can lead to less wear on your brakes, and you’ll likely experience better fuel economy.
When looking at the recommended maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual, you will likely see intervals for “normal” and “severe” driving conditions. If you often drive highway miles and tend to travel longer distances, you probably fall under normal driving conditions. Living in the heat of Southern Texas, you could fall into severe based on the weather alone. However, you are even more likely to have severe driving conditions if you frequently drive city miles due to the stress of stop-and-go traffic.
With city miles, you will probably need to perform certain maintenance tasks more often than if you drive highway miles. Your brakes, oil, tires, battery, and transmission fluid are some of the components most likely to need more frequent service.
Yes, the type of miles a car has driven can impact its value. Vehicles with a lot of city miles are seen as having more wear and being more susceptible to problems later on. If you’re selling or trading in a car, the type of miles may affect your offer, with highway miles getting you a better price.
When buying a used car, you can ask what type of miles it has, along with the mileage count. But don’t let city miles deter you from purchasing your dream vehicle. A well-maintained car with city miles can perform just as well as a car with highway miles.
Understanding how your driving habits impact your vehicle’s performance can make all the difference in its longevity and efficiency. At Ed Hicks Imports, our expert technicians can tailor your vehicle’s maintenance to suit your driving patterns, so it can stay in top condition whether you’re clocking miles on the highway or navigating city streets. Visit us today to schedule a comprehensive checkup and help keep your Mercedes-Benz performing at its best, no matter where the road takes you.
