Are You A Severe Driver? Your first answer to this question may be no, but you might be surprised to learn that 4 out of 5 drivers fall into the severe driving category. Auto manufacturers usually have two classifications of drivers: normal and severe. This classification dictates the proper maintenance and oil change interval for your vehicle.

Severe driving is not about driving style it actually refers to the conditions you drive in, which can be marked by:

• Frequent idling for long periods of time.
• Driving on steep hills or mountains on a regular basis.
• Frequent driving in stop-and-go traffic.
• Driving in extreme temperature conditions such as hot weather or below freezing.
• Driving in dusty or muddy conditions or on rough roads.
• Driving at prolonged higher engine speeds.
• Using your car for towing.
• Taking multiple trips averaging five to ten miles in length.
• Traveling with a car-top carrier.
• Driving in areas where road salts are used or living in a coastal area.

Most of us drive in at least one of these conditions every day, whether we are shuttling kids to and from activities, sitting in traffic on our way to and from work, or running errands on the weekends.

Many new vehicle owners manuals recommend oil changes every 7,500 miles or 12 months and oil filter changes at the first oil change and then every 15,000 miles after that.  This is all recommended for "normal drivers.  What you might not realize though is that normal to them is really ideal, which most of us don't fit into. 

Why is it so important to change your engine's oil according to the manufacturer's recommendations?  Over time, the additives in the motor oil get depleted. The only way to provide engines the protection they need is to change the oil and oil filter. Oil also thickens over time, leading to poor cold-start lubrication performance as well as a drop in fuel economy.

Changing your oil at recommended intervals is not only a critical component of vehicle maintenance it also serves as a trigger point for performing other important vehicle checks, such as tire pressure, radiator levels and belt and hose integrity, which can save you from problems down the road.

Like most preventive maintenance, changing the oil and filter is a form of insurance. It's no secret that a well-maintained car can run better, more efficiently and for a longer period of time. A properly performing motor oil protects the engine, increases the car's fuel economy and helps to guarantee its overall performance, which in turn saves you money, something we can all use help with these days.