Complete Car Maintenance: Engine Oil & Filter

Engine oil cools, lubricates and cleans critical components in your vehicle’s engine. The oil filter serves to sift out contaminants in the oil.

Maintenance and Care:

Please refer to your owner’s manual for correct oil and interval guidelines recommended by your manufacturer for your specific vehicle. Some manufacturers now recommend extended periods between oil changes, if you are a driver who drives under “normal” conditions. All of the following are considered “extreme” or “severe” driving conditions, which would require more frequent oil changes:

• You drive often in heavy stop and go traffic.
  
• You frequently make short trips in your car.
  
• The air conditions you drive in are often dusty or dirty.
  
• You live in a cold weather region.
  
• You tow a trailer, both, or other item.

By definition, millions and millions of motorists are driving under what are considered extreme conditions. A good rule of thumb is to change the oil and filter every 3,000 miles.

Complete Car Maintenance: Air Filter

Air filters catch dirt particles that can damage engine components.

Maintenance and Care:

The air filter should be checked every time you have the oil and filter changed (and is included in the AAMCO ProtectCheck). Driving with a dirty filter may lower your gas mileage and impact your vehicle’s performance. Please refer to your owner’s manual for the air filter change interval guideline recommended by your manufacturer for your specific vehicle. Bring your vehicle to the experts at AAMCO.

Complete Car Maintenance: Power Steering Fluid

Power steering fluid, much like transmission fluid, is a specially formulated oil, in this case for use in power steering systems.

Maintenance and Care:

The power steering fluid should be checked every time you have the oil and filter changed (and is included in the AAMCO ProtectCheck). Please refer to your owner’s manual for the power steering fluid recommended by your manufacturer for your specific vehicle.