Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked automobile maintenance questions that may be helpful in keeping your car or truck running at top performance. For more service related information go to: www.wisegeek.com
Q. Is it really necessary to change my vehicle’s oil every three months or 3,000 miles?
A. If you drive long distances at highway speeds, it may not be essential to change your oil every 3,000 miles. However, if most of your driving is around town with lots of stop and start wear and tear the 3,000-mile interval is the best preventative maintenance. If you’re in doubt, remember that it’s cheaper and easier to change your vehicle’s oil than replace the engine.
Q. What’s the difference between “high-mileage” oil and regular oil?
A. “High mileage” oil does differ in formulation from traditional conventional motor oil. It utilizes special base oils that provide superior protection against oil “burn off” in higher mileage engines. It also contains specially formulated seal conditioners and additives that reduce deposit formations, which can lead to compression loss. If your car is five or more years old and has more than 75,000 miles on it, high mileage oil would be a good thing to consider.
Q: What is considered a high-mileage vehicle?
A: Generally, any vehicle with over 75,000 miles is considered high-mileage.
Q. Why is the oil change light still on after I change in the oil in my GM truck/Silverado.
How can I reset it?
A. Most GM vehicles feature Flexible Service System (FSS) oil monitoring chips in their engine’s computers that activate the gauge lights that indicate you should “change oil.” FSS is based on such things as motor revolutions and number of stops and starts. If the mechanic did not reset the light, it will stay lit after an oil change. Solving the problem is easy: turn the ignition on without starting the engine and press the accelerator up and down three times within five seconds. This should reset the light.
Q: Why Change Your Motor Oil?
A: Dust, metallic shavings and even antifreeze contaminate motor oil. As contaminants are whipped into the oil, sludge is formed. This sludge will stick to parts of the engine causing the engine to perform less efficiently. Eventually, this sludge can cause engine failure.
Q: Why Change Your Oil Filter?
A: The oil filter's job is to remove oil contaminants. It sifts out the solid particles while allowing the oil to flow unrestricted through the engine. When the oil filter becomes “full” or “clogged”, the oil and contaminants will flow around the filter. When bypassing occurs, contaminants head straight for the engine where they can eventually cause permanent engine damage.
Q: How Can You Avoid Warranty Problems?
A: Keeping your car maintained during the first year is an important part of protecting your warranty. Your owner’s manual tells you what is required. Be sure to always save your maintenance receipts. Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, 15 USC SS2301-2312 (1982), and general principles of the Federal Trade Commission Act, a vehicle manufacturer may not require the use of any brand of filter (or any other article) unless the manufacturer provides the item free of charge under the terms of the warranty. If a consumer is told that any other filter except the original equipment filter will void the vehicle warranty, the customer should request that the OE filter be supplied at no charge. If the dealer or manufacture charges the consumer for the filter, they are in violation of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. By providing this information to consumers, the Filter Manufactures Council can help combat the erroneous claim that a brand of replacement filter other than original equipment will “void the warranty”.
"Information provided on this website may not be applicable to specific maintenance issues for your vehicle. Be sure to check with a vehicle manufacturer to prevent harm to your vehicle's engine".