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March 28, 2017
Since driving requirements and lifestyles differ among Homer Glen drivers, your vehicle manufacturer publishes two auto maintenance schedules: the regular schedule and the severe service schedule. Which schedule should Homer Glen drivers follow? Here are some questions to ask yourself:
Are most of your trips less than four miles/six kilometers around Homer Glen?
Are most of your trips less than 10 miles/16 kilometers in below-zero Illinois temps?
Are most of your trips off-highway in Illinois?
Do you drive often in dusty Homer Glen areas?
Do you regularly tow a trailer or carry heavy loads around Homer Glen?
Do you drive in very hot or very cold Illinois weather?
Think about your typical week. Do you live by your nearest Homer Glen on-ramp and enjoy a non-stop commute? Or, do you drive the neighborhood car pool in stop-and-go traffic on Homer Glen 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 Homer Glen weather and road conditions to determine which end of the spectrum you're closer to.
Why should Homer Glen residents care about this? Normal condensation causes moisture accumulation in the engine oil. Short trips around Homer Glen 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 Illinois 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 Illinois 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 Homer Glen 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 Homer Glen
708-301-8885
15743 S Bell Rd
Homer Glen, Illinois 60491
April 21, 2024
When you turn on the air conditioning in your vehicle, you expect cool air to come out of the vents. You depend on it, especially in hot weather, but it can also be important in humid weather when you need it to help defrost your windows and windshield. The air conditioning system has a lot of p... More
April 14, 2024
There's a belt that snakes through your engine. It's even named for a snake, the serpentine belt. It'll bite you when it breaks, possibly leaving you stranded. So, it's good to know a little about this snake-like belt. In early engines, there were lots of belts. They were used to convert the r... More
April 7, 2024
Today's report from Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Homer Glen is on vehicle batteries, why they die and what we can do to lengthen their life. Most of us have had a dead battery at one time or another. In fact, it would be very unusual if you hadn't. You may be surprised to learn that only 30 percent ... More
