Beringenaar drives 1 million kilometers with his Opel Astra. — © TV Limburg
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“Whether it is exceptional to drive 1,000,000 km with a 25-year-old Opel Astra? I suspect so. It is the first engine and my turbo diesel has never cost me a lot. I’ve never had an accident, but I do maintain my car very well. My driving style is of course also important, because I don’t race,” says church organist Gerry Dirix (45).
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The resident of Lummen laughs when he says that this is his second Opel that he bought. “Getting to 1,000,000 km with this Astra was a breeze and I actually saved four cars. It is important that I let my engine reach operating temperature first. Before the pandemic broke out, I drove an average of 45 to 50,000 km per year, because as a church organist I travel a lot of long distances throughout Flanders and the Netherlands. That is ideal for a diesel. My car is used to drive calmly from point A to point B. I never had an accident, so I also have a good guardian angel. In several places of pilgrimage or parishes where I played, I did have my Opel blessed. So maybe God is holding his hand above my head,” Gerry jokes.
Proof. — © Karel Hemerijckx
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His Opel Astra is a solid mid-sized car and one of the best-selling cars of all time. “I don’t need a lot of luxury, because the less that can break, the fewer worries I have. Newer models are full of electronics and have many gadgets, but that often causes misery,” Gerry continues. “I maintain my car like a woman, with love and respect. I always listen to my engine and when I hear a different noise, I immediately have it checked. In the meantime I am on my fourth maintenance book and I also have two new keys. Finding spare parts is becoming more difficult and that is why I buy many parts as a precaution to be able to drive even longer. Cars that last a long time, that’s good for the environment, isn’t it?”
The church organist cleans his car 3 or 4 times a week. “I do that with a bucket of water. I vacuum it daily and make sure it’s in tip-top shape for the next ride. Order and tidiness, that is my calling card. At the car inspection, they are amazed when they see my mileage. I would like to write another letter to Opel’s German headquarters in Rüsselsheim and show my car there. They can also be proud that it drove 1,000,000 km. With most cars it is best after 300,000 km”, concludes the Lummenaar.
CALL. How many kilometers have you already covered with your car? Are you getting close to Gerry? Or will you even pass him? Let us know here.
–© Karel Hemerijckx
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