Marshalls Automotive

Reference Library Articles

Redmond Drivers Severe Service Maintenance Schedules

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

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

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

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

Why should Redmond motorists care about this? Normal condensation causes moisture accumulation in the engine oil. Short trips around Redmond or winter driving means that the engine doesn’t heat up enough for the moisture to evaporate. The water in the oil turns to harmful oil sludge that clogs up your engine and doesn’t let the oil protect it adequately. That’s why Oregon car owners 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 sunny Oregon 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 harmful 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, not to mention your fuel efficiency. If you want some expert advice, talk with your honest Marshalls Automotive advisor. We can help you restore your vehicle to good working order and help you know the best schedule to follow.

To learn more, watch our informative AutoNetTV auto video tips at the top of this post.

  • Attribution: AutoNetTV
  • Original Post Date: June 30, 2015
The owner of this website has made a committment to accessibility and inclusion, please report any problems that you encounter using the contact form on this website. This site uses the WP ADA Compliance Check plugin to enhance accessibility. Call M • F | 8 • 5 Skip to content