Are your driving conditions “severe”?

Severe Service Schedule

Owner’s manuals have regular schedules for preventive maintenance. Christian’s Automotive can keep you up to date on things like oil changes, transmission services and so on. They say you should change your oil after driving a certain distance or after so many months. Albuquerque drivers understand this very well. But, what they may not know is that there are actually two service schedules: the regular schedule and the severe service schedule. The distance and time intervals are lower on the severe service schedule.

Now when you hear “severe service”, you may think it doesn’t apply to you because you don’t feel your driving conditions are severe or extreme – it’s just normal everyday driving. So let’s list some of the conditions that classify as severe so that drivers can make the judgment on their own driving.

• Most trips are less than four miles
• Most trips are less than nine miles and outside temperatures are below freezing
• You drive in very hot weather in New Mexico
• Driving at low speed most of the time around the area (under 55 mph)
• Stop and go driving
• Operating your vehicle in dusty, polluted or muddy conditions
• You tow a trailer, regularly carry heavy loads or carry a car-top carrier

Most of us operate under severe driving conditions at least some of the time. How do we know which car maintenance schedule to follow?

Carefully think about your driving conditions and decide if you should do your preventive maintenance closer to the severe service recommendation or the regular recommendation. Of course, your friendly and knowledgeable Christian’s Automotive can help you with your decision.