While most people in the Reno area are aware automotive manufacturers have recommended service intervals, following those recommended service intervals is very important. The engineers who design our vehicles have tested the various systems and components to meet durability and safety standards. Some of these standards are self-imposed and others, like those for emissions components, are government mandated for areas in Nevada.
The maintenance schedules are designed to achieve the standards. Following the recommended intervals provides three general benefits: Protection, Efficiency, and Safety.
Protection. Let’s start with motor oil. First, the engineers recommend a particular weight and type of motor oil for your vehicle. All manufacturer oil change recommendations assume using the proper motor oil. Motor oil contains detergents and other additives which clean the engine and provide corrosion resistance. Over time, the additives are depleted while the oil also becomes contaminated by water, dirt, and combustion gasses.
Extending your interval beyond the recommendation means that your vehicle engine will be operating without the full protection of fresh motor oil. It also means sludge can form in contaminated oil and clog up passages in the engine, starving parts from needed lubrication.
Efficiency. Some services are designed to keep automotive systems operating efficiently. For example, the fuel system gets clogged up with gum and varnish from the fuel itself. Fuel doesn’t flow efficiently which reduces fuel economy. A fuel system cleaning restores the fuel system’s efficiency and increases your gas mileage.
Safety. Your brakes are a component of one of the most important safety systems on your vehicle. The manufacturer has scheduled brake pad replacement as well as power brake fluid drain and replacement intervals. Because brakes are so important to safety, a brake inspection is also on the schedule to head off problems before they result in an accident.
Check your owner’s manual for recommended service schedules or talk with your Reno service advisor at Wayne’s Automotive Center by calling 775-356-6996.
You may be surprised to learn various inspections may be on your list of factory recommendations for your vehicle. These inspections are usually at major intervals like 15,000 or 30,000 miles/24,000 or 48,000 km. They’re designed to uncover important parts which may be close to failing.
Your vehicle owner’s manual can tell you when to change your oil. It can’t tell you that you have a bludging a radiator hose about to burst. For that, you need a trained auto technician. These scheduled inspections are in addition to the standard multi-point inspections done with a full-service oil change.