So, you're stuck in traffic, when you notice the sticker in the top-left corner of your windshield reminding you that it's time for your car's routine maintenance. Now, you're wondering, "well, it's just been three months since I last had it serviced," — "I haven't even driven 3,000 miles yet, do I really need to spend that money now?"
Then, like clockwork, anxiety sets in, and you start second-guessing yourself; you're thinking "what if the engine light comes on?" Are my tires okay, is there enough treading? Or even worse, what if you endure a roadside breakdown? No need to panic: Sunset Cadillac of Bradenton has put together some information on how to keep your Cadillac running in optimum condition, as well as understanding how often you should schedule maintenance for your car to prevent that type of scenario.
So, How Often Should You Have Your Car Serviced?
Well, that depends on whom you ask. With so much varying information from varied sources, you don't really know what to believe. Now, the funny thing is that in reality, the answer to that question is super simple — just comply with the factory-suggested maintenance schedule in your car's owner's manual, look in the service book that came with your car, or check online.
You know that long prescribed 3,000-mile oil change? Well, that's more or less outdated with the advancement in technology allowing cars to be driven more in between oil changes.
At one time, it was normal to recommend an oil change every 3,000 miles. But newer engines recommend oil changes at 5,000 to 7,500 miles. Also, if your engine uses full-synthetic motor oil, it may even run as long as 15,000 miles in-between service, which can save you some money. Woo-hoo!
When Should You Change Your Oil?
There are two methods that you can use to let you know when it's time to change your oil:
1. Refer to your owner's manual — Look for the scheduled maintenance section of your car's manual, which will tell you how many miles you can go in between oil and filter changes.
Most owner car manuals will list the recommended oil change schedule for your car, which should also cover severe and normal driving. If you're not sure where your manual is, try looking online for it, as many manufacturers have online versions that can easily be found.
2. Look for the service light on your dash — Some cars are equipped with a light that displays "service" or "service now", some others have a wrench icon or other type of symbol. Basically, if the light comes on, schedule an oil change.
Keep in mind that the service light could be signaling that you may need other maintenance work as well. For instance, a routine inspection or tire rotation. To find out exactly what your light means, check your owner's manual first.
Mileage-Based Service and Maintenance
Older vehicle service schedules are based on intervals of mileage. There are usually two different maintenance schedules:
- Cars driven in "normal" services
- Cars driven in "severe" operating conditions
The precise definition of "severe service" varies from automaker to automaker, but usually necessitates driving your car under the following conditions:
- Continuous stop-and-go driving
- Mainly short trips of five miles or fewer
- Exceedingly hot, cold, or dusty climates
- Towing a trailer or carrying heavy loads
If your car is driven more under the severe service definition, found in your owner's manual, you should adhere to the more intensive car maintenance schedule. But, if you're a typical driver, adhere to the normal conditions of your car's maintenance schedule.
One of our trained specialists in the service department can show you how to use your car's factory maintenance booklet to schedule your oil changes.
Oil Life Monitoring Systems
Some cars use a system called the "oil life monitoring system", which calculates when your car needs an oil change. A computer records data of your driving habits, like how long you normally drive and the condition of the car's engine. From there, it determines when you need an oil change.
Maintenance Reminder Systems
Newer cars have an in-vehicle maintenance reminder system that takes several car operating conditions into account, and provides an alert on your dashboard when it's time to schedule:
- Fluid Level Checks
- Engine Oil Change
- Component Inspections
- Other Car Maintenance Services
Safety Checks Matter
This should be done by the professionals around every six months. A safety check consists of checking your cars:
- Tires
- Lights
- Brakes
- Steering
Don't Forget About the Wipers
The wipers, as important as they are, hardly ever gets remembered — until you're caught in the rain and your wipers are smearing instead of clearing your view. Yep, now you remember those wipers. When you first notice your windshield becoming streaky when your wipers on, that's your cue, it's time to change the wipers. Having a clear view of the road ahead is crucial. Do not neglect this.
Maintenance Matters
Having your Cadillac properly maintained will keep it running at peak performance, broaden its lifespan, and give you years of great family road trip memories. The team at Bradenton used cars consist of skilled, trained, and certified Cadillac technicians that care for you and your vehicle.
An investment in Cadillac is definitely an investment in excellence and performance engineering. At Sunset Cadillac of Bradenton, you know your world-renowned vehicle is getting the level of service required for it to look and run for many years to come.
If you're in the market for a new or used Cadillac (take a live tour) or if you need to schedule maintenance, call us today at (941) 932-8852, contact us online here, or visit us at 4780 14th Street W, Monday-Saturday, opening at 9:00am. In the meantime, go ahead and check out our blog here.
Categories:
Service
