In my experience, every mechanical thing last longer when treated
gently.

Young people -- especially young men -- take a long time to learn
this.

I think part of this is learned and sinks in more once you start paying
for your own stuff and its associated maintenance out of your own
pocket, with money YOU have earned!

A friend of mine, whose four kids were all a little older than my four
kids, told me his car maintenance and repair bills had gone up 25% when
his kids began to drive. He said a mechanic told him that was typical.

Learning from his experience, I told my kids that when they began to
drive, they would have to pay the additional insurance premium, plus
their share of gas, oil, and maintenance.

When they discovered the incremental insurance alone was about $160 per
year, they decided they really didn't want to drive after all.

One benefit of that is that they are all still alive.

vince norris