Back to all

Whitehall Drivers Severe Service Maintenance Schedules

May 22, 2022

Since driving requirements and lifestyles differ among Whitehall drivers, your vehicle manufacturer publishes two auto maintenance schedules: the regular schedule and the severe service schedule. Which schedule should Whitehall drivers follow? Here are some questions to ask yourself:

Are most of your trips less than four miles/six kilometers around Whitehall?
Are most of your trips less than 10 miles/16 kilometers in below-zero Ohio temps?
Are most of your trips off-highway in Ohio?
Do you drive often in dusty Whitehall areas?
Do you regularly tow a trailer or carry heavy loads around Whitehall?
Do you drive in very hot or very cold Ohio weather?


Think about your typical week. Do you live by your nearest Whitehall on-ramp and enjoy a non-stop commute? Or, do you drive the neighborhood car pool in stop-and-go traffic on Whitehall surface streets?

Let's suppose your owner's manual says the severe service oil change recommendation is 3,000 miles/5,000 kilometers and the standard recommendation is 5,000 miles/8,000 kilometers. You know that you need to change the oil somewhere between 3,000 and 5,000 miles/5,000 and 8,000 kilometers. Analyze your driving patterns and Whitehall weather and road conditions to determine which end of the spectrum you're closer to.

Why should Whitehall residents care about this? Normal condensation causes moisture accumulation in the engine oil. Short trips around Whitehall or winter driving means that the engine doesn't heat up enough for the moisture to evaporate. The water in the oil turns to oil sludge that clogs up your engine and doesn't let the oil protect it adequately. That's why Ohio residents need to change their oil more often – to clean the sludge out before it causes problems.

Carrying heavy loads (with or without a trailer) in Ohio summer weather causes your engine and transmission to run at higher temperatures and with more stress. The fluids will break down more quickly. Additives that clean and prevent corrosion will be depleted sooner. Air pollution and dust cause fluids to get dirty faster. Ditto for filters. All of these things can lead to premature wear and eventual repairs. If you want some expert advice, talk with your friendly and knowledgeable Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Whitehall service advisor. We can help you restore your vehicle to good working order and help you know the best schedule to follow.

Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Whitehall
614-864-5215
4744 E. Main Street
Whitehall, Ohio 43213
http://www.tuffywhitehall.com

Need Service?

Request a Quote

More articles from Tuffy Whitehall

Emergency Items for Your vehicle

May 12, 2024

Local Whitehall roadside emergencies can range from a flat tire downtown to being stranded in a snowy ravine for three days. So you may want to consider a basic emergency kit to keep in the car at all times and a travel kit tailored to a specific trip.Your close-to-home kit for around Whitehall w... More

Winter Watch List (Winter Maintenance Items)

May 5, 2024

Don't love winter weather? Here's a list of four things you need to keep a watch on during the winter months. Let's start with coolant levels. Coolant is as important in cold weather as it is in hot weather. Think of the term "anti-freeze." Your coolant needs to be adjusted for climate and temp... More

See the Light (Automatic High Beam Dimmers)

April 28, 2024

It's happened to all of us. We're driving down a highway at night and over a crest appears a car with its high beams blazing. You are momentarily blinded, hoping the other driver will switch them to their low beam setting and restore your vision. Not only do we not appreciate being blinded, fac... More