Interesting Car Facts

Interesting Car Facts

Most of us spend a significant portion of our lives in the car, but even the most seasoned drivers might be surprised by some lesser-known car stats and trivia. Read on for some fun facts about cars that might make you appreciate your ride a little more.

Average Car and Driver Facts

Did you know the average car has about 30,000 individual parts? Another surprise is that a typical car spends around 95% of its lifetime parked. In all, the average driver spends about 17,600 minutes (almost 300 hours) a year behind the wheel.

Historical Car Facts

The modern car has been around for well over a century, and it all started with the Benz Patent-Motorwagen, invented by Karl Benz in 1886. Karl’s wife, Bertha Benz, took the first recorded road trip in a car back in 1888. She drove 60 miles from Mannheim to Pforzheim, Germany, proving that cars could make long-distance travel possible. The first automobile race was in 1895, where the winner traveled just 15 miles per hour. By 1908, Henry Ford had revolutionized the industry with the first mass-produced car: the Model T.

Facts About Car Accessories

Many of the convenient features we take for granted today came from surprising sources. For example, windshield wipers were invented in 1905 by a woman named Mary Anderson. Another female innovator, Florence Lawrence, is credited with inventing pop-up brake signs and auto signaling arms, the precursors to brake lights and turn signals. Then, cruise control was created in 1945 by a blind man named Ralph Teetor, who got frustrated by his driver’s inconsistent speeds. Talk about innovation!

By the Numbers

How many cars do you think are on the road today? If you guessed around one billion, you are correct. 300 million of those cars are in the US, where 95% of drivers own an automatic. Globally, 65% of people drive on the right side of the road, with only about a dozen countries driving on the left, including the UK, Australia, and Japan.

Record-Breaking Cars

If you have ever gotten stuck in a traffic jam, be glad it wasn’t the longest one in history. It occurred in Beijing in 2010, stretching over 62 miles and lasting 12 days. In Texas, a driver holds the record for the fastest speeding ticket—he was clocked at 242 miles per hour! And for the ultimate car collection, look no further than the Sultan of Brunei, who has over 7,000 cars.

Random Car Fun Facts

Before steering wheels were invented, drivers used a lever to steer. And here’s a surprising statistic: about 16% of vehicle owners never wash their cars. If you ever plan a road trip to Russia, make sure you don’t fall into this category because driving a dirty car is illegal there! And in Switzerland, slamming a car door after 10 pm is prohibited, so be mindful of that if you ever visit.

Looking for a Reliable Ride? We’ve Got You Covered

If you’re ready to buy a pre-owned car in DFW, Waco, or Tyler, TX, Auto Liquidators Plus can help. Since 1991, we have focused on making car ownership possible for everyone, regardless of credit history. We offer easy in-house financing on a huge inventory of pre-owned cars, trucks, and SUVs. Plus, our limited warranty includes up to three-year or 36,000-mile coverage on select vehicles. Contact us today, or visit one of our three convenient locations to find your next ride!