Automotive maintenance

So lets start out with the owners manual and automotive maintenance. My owners manual threatens to void my warranty if I do not perform the recommended service on time.

Well let’s look at what is recommend automotive maintenance. In my manual (yours may be different) it states that for normal driving an oil change is due every 3,000 miles or 3 months.

Then you keep reading and it says for fleet vehicles oil changes are needed every 4,500 miles or 6 months. What are they talking about with fleet vehicles?

I called the 800 number and asked for the official explanation, which is high mileage use or long trips equaling more than 9,000 miles a year would be considered fleet type use.

Well to me this is what normal driving is. So according to the manufacturer my vehicle should be serviced under the fleet automotive maintenance schedule. Everybody I know puts more then 9,000 miles a year on his or her vehicle.

The national average for miles put on a single vehicle has risen from 10,000 miles in the 80’s to 15,000 miles a year in the 90’s and 18,000 miles annually for present day.

So most of the nation should be on the fleet schedule along with me. You can find out exactly what is due on your vehicle from the Mitchel's automotive maintenance website!

Save money on automotive maintenance

Over a 75,000-mile 5-year period the price difference or savings by going with the fleet schedule was around $500.00 dollars by increasing the distance between service intervals.

But even more important then the money was that this means less visits for service. As we have learned every time you avoid a service appointment your avoiding scams and rip-offs overcharges and poorly done work.

These items together are priceless over a five-year period.

The manufacturer will "not" honor the warranty if the vehicle was abused. Using the fleet schedule is not abuse it is what is recommended on my vehicle.

The dealer and manufacturer will have the burden of proof to claim neglect or abuse of the vehicle. This is very difficult and usually only happens under extreme neglect, like when the engine oil looks like tar from lack of oil changes.

Study your manual and how it relates to your driving conditions and stick to what is really recommended. I was changing my own personal oil on my truck way too often.

The point was driven home at my newest job. The government fleet I work for has 1,800 pieces of equipment. The cars and light trucks get their oil changed every 6 months or 4,500 miles. Automotive maintenance services are almost never late due to a high tech notification system.

When the vehicle is due, it comes in for service!

After a 5 year 100,000 mile study there were no engine failures in the entire fleet. To me this means 4,500 miles or 6 months is good for me also.

Now on your vehicle I stress to study the owners manual and see what is best for you and your specific vehicle.

Why is the owner manual hard to read?

This is like putting the fox in charge of the hen house. The dealer will put you on the schedule with the most frequent service intervals and push you towards over servicing your vehicle.

The scheduled maintenance section is usually toward the back of the manual.

The price for this little used information service was added to the price of the vehicle that you purchased.

The customer assistance hot line is important to the manufacturer. Do to the fact they are trying to build brand loyalty and future sales by providing courteous friendly customer service.

Become an authority or expert on the required scheduled maintenance of your specific vehicle and know what is needed before you go in for auto service.

When the service adviser starts throwing up-sell services at you and you shut him down with facts and knowledge you will change the shops attitude about selling you services you don’t need.


Give this automotive maintenance resource page a Then explore some links!


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