Five Factors That Affect Oil Change Intervals

Because modern vehicles are stronger, cleaner, and more durable than those of yesteryear, most automotive experts believe that changing motor oil every 3,000 miles is overkill. Depending on the make and model, some cars and trucks can safely travel upwards of 5,000 miles between changes. Car owners' manuals are starting to reflect this growing consensus with longer oil change intervals. There are, however, exceptions that may affect manufacturer's recommendations. Here are five of them.

1. Hard Driving

Almost as important as the actual mileage is the type of driving an owner does regularly. If he uses the car or truck to tow a trailer or pull heavy loads, that will invariably put more stress on the engine, causing it to operate at higher temperatures. Because extreme heat destroys the lubricating ability of oil through excessive oxidation, it will need to be switched out more often. In addition to towing heavy loads, driving on bumpy, unpaved road surfaces often puts more stress on the motor, causing it to run hotter than it normally would.

2. Environment

For obvious reasons, higher engine temps are more likely when it's warm outside. If you reside in a region of the country that experiences year-round warm weather, oil change intervals should be shortened. This is true whether you engage in hard driving or not. It is also important to note that environments that are very dusty and/or polluted can increase the risk of fluid contamination. In other words, there's a greater chance your motor oil will get dirty and need to be replaced. For those living in dusty desert towns or in polluted cities, it's often a good idea to visit the service station every 3,000 miles.

3. Short Commutes

It might surprise you to learn that a short daily commute may actually be harder on your engine than a slightly longer one. The reason? Because short trips do not give your motor the time it needs to reach an optimal operating temperature, lubricating fluids may be degraded. What actually happens is that excess fuel spills into the crankcase, diluting motor oil. This excess fuel is needed because cold engines require more gas than warm or hot ones. Spilt fuel can also break down the lubricating chemicals in the viscous liquid.

4. High Performance

If you have a turbo-charged engine, it will run hotter, on average, than a regular one. Even if you use synthetic liquid blends, it's probably a good idea to shorten oil change intervals with these vehicles. This is particularly true if you live in a warm environment, drive hard, or tend to travel over the speed limit for protracted periods of time.

5. Engine Age

With all other things being equal, the more miles you have on your odometer, the dirtier your motor will be. As such, the liquid that is used to lubricate moving metal components will get dirtier faster. Because dirty motor oil does not have the lubricating ability of clean fluid, it is more likely to cause friction that can do damage to vital engine parts. For this reason, change intervals should be shorter for high-mileage vehicles.

All drivers should consider these five factors before calculating a safe, reliable service schedule for their vehicle.

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World Premiere Mercedes-AMG GT R

Never before has Mercedes-AMG equipped a standard production vehicle with such a racing technology as the all new AMG GT R. On June 24th, the new sports car with a pure race DNA will be presented in Brooklands, UK.

Mercedes-AMG GT R:
Fuel consumption, combined: 11.4 l /100 km; CO2 emissions, combined: 259 g/km.*

The front mid V8 biturbo engine with transaxle transmission, producing 430 kW / 585 PS, a substantial modified undercarriage, new aerodynamic and the intelligent light weight construction are the key elements of an ultimate driving experience.

An acceleration from zero to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 318 km/h in combination with extraordinary driving dynamics promise extreme fast laps on the racetrack. The exclusive color "AMG green hell magno" is an optical reference to the "Green Hell" the nickname of the legendary north loop of Germany’s Nürburgring and points to a direct lineage to the racetrack.

Mercedes-AMG continues to grow and extends its product portfolio with the new AMG GT R at the upper end.

Top 4 Tips For Car Body Care

There's no doubt that every vehicle depreciates in value with time. If you have been planning to sell the car in a few years and want to get a good deal, then you should not bring down the value of your car by not taking care of its appearance. A car which has not been maintained properly will hardly get any buyers.

The bait for coaxing the buyer is how the car looks from inside and outside. Maintaining your car and keeping it in the best possible condition is surely important not to ensure just the longevity of the vehicle, but also to improve its sale-ability. And of course, who doesn't like to drive a nice looking car!

Here's a list of things you need to look after to ensure your car stays in pristine condition.

• Car Wash

At least once or twice a month you need to wash your car properly. By doing that you can ensure that dirt is removed from the surface of the body & under the chassis and keeps it completely clean. Staining and rusting might occur if you fail to remove it on time. You need to keep in your mind that even heavy rains don't remove the contaminants off the car. It's better if pressure hose is used to wash the car.

• Car Waxing

By using car wax, you can ensure that a layer of protection is created which protects the car from harsh external elements such as rain, dead bugs, and bird droppings and avoids corrosion or rusting. The contaminants get stuck in the wax can be easily washed from the car. The breakdown of the molecular structure of paint can also be prevented with the help of car wax as it stops harsh exposure to UV rays and oxygen.

• Rusting

When iron is exposed for a long period of time to moisture & oxygen then rusting occurs. Due to salt in the air, especially in coastal areas a car's under body can rust faster. During heavy rains and while driving through puddles your car's under body comes into contact with water. The best care for this problem can only be taken by professional and expert mechanics at a renowned auto repair shop.

• Dents And Scratches Repairing

If you don't have any dents or scratches on your car, then there's no problem in considering yourself as lucky. Not many can boast of this miracle because no matter how much you try to protect your beloved car, it will get some scratches or dents here and there. If you have dents and scratches on your car and if the paint is peeled off during the impact then the car's body is susceptible to rusting. It's recommended that you should visit a renowned car body repair center to get dents and scratches fixed.

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Our Normal 2016 US 30 - Mobil 1

After undergoing rigorous tests in our own labs and by independent industry experts, Mobil 1™ synthetic motor oil is proven to provide outstanding performance and protection for your engine. Testing under conditions both real and extreme for proven performance in harsh conditions – that’s our normal.

How To Maintain Your Car Transmission

An annual checklist in the maintenance of a car's health is the car's transmission maintenance. This is very important to ensure the proper functioning of the vehicle. The transmission decides a number of things; the power transfer from engine to wheels of the car is the most important one. A little bit of research in the matter can help you to easily perform this check annually.

*You already may have a copy of the manual that gives you the exact method of car transmission maintenance for your particular vehicle. If you do not have said copy, you can easily access this information on the Internet.

*Make sure that you pay special attention to your particular model and make, as many automakers often group all their similar vehicles under one category.

*Next thing you can do is drive the car for at least 20 minutes. This helps heat up the engine fluids. You can now park the vehicle and leave the engine on. Next, open the hood of the car, and if needed, prop the hood with the support. Now, look for a ring labeled 'transmission'. Pull this gently and also pull out the fluid dipstick thoroughly wiping it clean. You may protect your hands with gloves and also wear coveralls to protect the clothes while doing this step.

*To check the fluid levels, re-insert the clean dipstick in the reservoir and again pull it out. This can indicate whether more transmission fluid is required. The transmission fluid reservoir is generally located at top left side of the engine and you can change this fluid with the help of a trained mechanic. Transmission fluid change may also be necessary if there is a burning smell or if the fluid has turned darker in color. The actual color of the transmission fluid is a clear red.

*You should always use the car odometer readings to indicate when the vehicle's servicing is due. A general rule of thumb is 24000 miles or every once a year. If the manufacturer has recommended specific dates for servicing, it is best to follow them.

*Always pay attention to the manual transmission and how the clutch is functioning. The sound and feel while changing gears are also important indications of potential problems. If these signs appear, immediately schedule a visit to your auto repair shop.

*Avoid driving in extreme heat. Also, heavy traffic, towing and hard shifting can overheat the transmission.

*The emergency brake should never be applied while the car is in drive or reverse, as this can stress the gears. Also, one must never shift immediately from reverse to drive modes, but allow the gears to reset completely before driving.

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Love Your Car? Give It a Name. | Mobil 1

People love their cars. And their cars, it seems, love them back. They smile. They wink. They reveal themselves at every turn. Why not, then, give your car a name? This video can help.

Car Repair - Things To Consider When Choosing A Car Repair Service

We use our vehicles every day to get us from place to place. Automobiles are necessary to get us to and from out jobs, to bring our children to the places they need to go, and to truly experience freedom of travel in our communities. Because of the many ways in which we have become increasingly dependent upon our vehicles, it is of supreme importance to continually strive to maintain our vehicles. A breakdown or other automobile problem can spring on us at any time and can cause us to miss important appointments and commitments. By choosing an appropriate car repair service provider, you can be prepared for whatever vehicle troubles you may encounter and even prevent some from ever happening.

There are many problems that may befall a motor vehicle. An engine is a complex machine with many moving parts. The more use your automobile sees, the more wear and tear it suffers. Because we use our vehicles extensively and daily it is important to always strive to maintain them to the best of our ability. Finding a good car repair service provider can help you in this endeavor. A major service an automotive technician can provide is that of an oil change. Oil keeps the moving parts of your engine lubricated and in running order. Finding a vehicle service provider that can change your oil, oil filters, and helps to maintain these systems, can extend the life of your vehicle.

Another area to focus on when searching for an automotive service provider is that of tire services. Every mile you drive, your tires incur some damage. It is important for your vehicles well being and your personal safety that you keep up with maintenance of your tires. Many car repair service providers offer a variety of tire services. From purchasing of new tires themselves, to realignments and tire rotations, automotive technicians can meet your tire needs. By investing in these types of checkups, you can keep your vehicle in good running order. Working with your service provider, you can become aware of some of the signs of tire wear and tear. This knowledge will help you prevent bigger problems in the future, like blowouts that may leave you stranded on the side of the road.

Many car repair service providers offer extensive preventative maintenance practices. By working closely with a professional vehicle technician and by having a continuing relationship with these craftsmen, you can catch potential issues before they become major problems. For example, some providers offer a free brake inspection. The brake system of your vehicle is of paramount importance. One failure, and your automobile can be involved in an accident that threatens the vehicle itself, and, more dangerously, yourself. By working with these professionals you can become aware of any potential problems before they become major issues. In this way you can protect the investment that is your vehicle while also insuring the safety of yourself and others who may ride in your automobile.

Car repair businesses offer many other services as well. If you are in the market for replacement parts, vehicle modifications, electronics work, or air conditioning maintenance, these professionals can provide these services. A vehicle is a large investment. It is to your advantage to work with professionals who know the best ways to maintain and care for the transportation that makes many things in your life possible. By having regular preventative maintenance sessions, as well as learning from these learned technicians, you can maintain the dependability of your vehicle and maximize its life. Considering these aspects carefully when choosing an automotive technician can help greatly inform your decision.

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Volvo Cars - Sound Affects

To fully appreciate the quiet, sometimes we need to be reminded of the noise.

Time To Get An Oil Change - Signs And Symptoms

The oil change is probably the most important part of your car's maintenance. All too often we forget to have it done, and the consequences for your car can be devastating. It's a simple operation that you can either do yourself, or take to a shop and have done professionally. No matter how busy you are, you should never skip it. The damage to your car can be serious.

Why Do I Need To Change my Oil?

In order to understand why you need an oil change, let's look at what motor oil does for your car. There are two main purposes - one, it keeps everything lubricated. It covers all the parts of the engine with a thin film that keeps them from rubbing together. Two, it removes chemicals, bit of metal and other impurities from the engine.

What happens if you don't get an oil change? Because they'll lose their lubrication, the parts of your engine will rub together and cause friction. This not only wears down the parts of the engine, but it also causes excess heat, which can result in your vehicle overheating. If the motor oil gets old and dirty, it can no longer remove impurities. This sludge will build up in the engine, and eventually it will have to be cleaned by a professional mechanic.

How Often Do I Need An Oil Change?

In general, you should get an oil change every 7,500 miles. However, this depends on how much you drive. If you spend lots of time driving, you should consider getting it done more often - something like every 6,000 miles. For example, if you use your vehicle every day for work driving across town, or if you make lots of cross country trips in your car, you should consider doing it more often.

In fact, it never hurts to have it done more often. You can greatly prolong the life of your car by taking it in for an oil change every 5,000 miles. This will definitely ensure that your car is running cleanly and smoothly.

 Signs That You Need An Oil Change

You can often tell that motor oil is old and dirty by simply looking at it. Fresh motor oil is clear and dark brown or amber in color. Older motor oil that needs to be changed is dark and murky. It doesn't take an expert mechanic's eye to see that how dark and dirty motor oil can be. When you're checking your motor oil, take a good look and see how it looks, especially if it's been 5,000 or so miles since your last oil change. Another sign is that your motor oil level is constantly lower than it should be. Most cars also have an engine oil light that will tell you when it's getting to be time for a change.

Getting an oil change is easy and inexpensive. It's a regular part of your car's maintenance that you shouldn't skip out on. Check your motor oil level each time you fuel up, and keep track of how many miles it's been so that you don't forget. Skipping your much-needed oil change can really damage your car; so make sure you get it done.

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Jaguar F-PACE | Body and Architecture

The All-New F-PACE is the third vehicle built on Jaguar's modular lightweight aluminium architecture, a product of our 15 years of industry-leading expertise in aluminium. In this film, Vehicle Line Director Kevin Stride explains how the technology behind F-PACE's aluminium foundation significantly benefits speed, as well as the flexibility and customisation of Jaguar's performance SUV.