Maintenance intervals

We hear a lot about maintenance intervals these days, particularly in regards to the recommended length of time between oil changes. The truth is that your car is affected by its age and by your driving habits, which means that it must be treated like an individual.

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First, make certain that your technician is familiar with the type of driving you do and where you do it. For example, the manufacturer of your new vehicle may recommend oil/filer change intervals of 7500 miles under normal operating conditions. However, the manufacturer's definition of "normal operating conditions" is usually very narrow.

The fact is, you may be a severe service driver and not even know it. You may do lots of stop and go driving in traffic, make lots of short trips, or drive in dusty or otherwise harsh conditions. You may have a lead foot, tow a camper or carry a heavy load in your truck bed. If any of these sound like you, you're probably a severe service driver.

The best advice is to check out what your owner's manual, then talk with your technician. He or she will discuss maintenance intervals with you designed to keep your vehicle reliable and efficient, no matter what your driving habits may be.

For more auto maintenance tips log on www.carcarecouncil.org.