It's finally summer. Our winter wasn't as harsh this year as it has been, but it seemed to go on forever. With the warm weather I get a new season of questions asked of me, mostly centering on “Do I need synthetic oil/new air filter/engine flush/etc. in the summer, too?” I like to use my answers as an opportunity to dispel some common misconceptions.
I find Brian Turner, of www.driving.ca summed it up best:
“This scenario has been played out far too many times, and in the end it leaves both customers and their service providers frustrated; a vehicle owner religiously brings his or her vehicle in for service every three to six months (without letting it accumulate excess mileage), asking for an oil and filter change but nothing else.
A few years down the road during another oil change, the tech notices a badly leaking seal/gasket/whatever and dutifully informs the customer. When it's pointed out that the vehicle is beyond the terms of the manufacturer's warranty for this specific component, the client goes through the roof saying, “I brought it in for regular service on time, every time – why didn't this get fixed when it was still under warranty?”
When dealership service departments are involved, the expectations are even higher; no matter what the customer asked for, they expect everything will get checked out. Good conscientious lube techs will do their best to notify drivers when they see something amiss, but when they're completing an oil change service in less than 20 minutes (and possibly have several jobs backed up), there's really only so much they will see, record and bring to your attention.
So if you don't want to follow your vehicle maker's recommended schedule or accept the menu suggestions given by your service consultant every time you visit, what is the minimum you can get away with and still have a reliable transport? First, remember there's really no one-size-fits-all. There's a wide variety of vehicles on the road today and some have very unique servicing requirements. If you spot something out of the ordinary in your owner's manual in terms of vehicle maintenance, don't immediately dismiss it as a money grab. Get an opinion from a trusted service provider on its necessity and the possible consequences of skipping it.”
At Lubrication Station we check and report on everything we can see, every time a vehicle comes in. Come in and see why.
(306) 249-5823, (306) 956-3278. www.lubestation.ca
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