Knowing When to Get Your Vehicle Serviced

You want to take good care of your car, but you might be wondering just how often it needs to be taken in for service. Fernelius Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Cheboygan has a simple answer to this question: follow the factory-recommended maintenance schedule, which you can find in your owner’s manual or service booklet. These recommended maintenance services are usually based on one of two things: mileage-based service or maintenance reminder systems.

Service intervals for older, pre-owned vehicles are typically based on mileage. From there, it usually follows one of two maintenance schedules; the first is for cars that are driven in normal service, and the other is for those used in severe operating conditions. These can include driving in extremely dusty, hot, or cold climates; carrying heavy loads or towing a trailer; using the vehicle primarily for short, less-than-five-mile trips; or sustained stop-and-go driving on Michigan roads. Owner’s manuals will include a suggested rigorous maintenance schedule if your vehicle use falls under one of these extreme conditions. There will also be a regular maintenance schedule listed if you drive under normal conditions.

A newer Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, or Ram will have an in-vehicle maintenance reminder system, which makes the aforementioned mileage-based schedules obsolete. These in-vehicle maintenance reminder systems take a number of vehicle operating conditions into consideration and provide an alert on the dashboard when it’s time for an oil change, fluid level check, component inspection, and other type of service. If your vehicle has one of these systems, utilize it to guide your maintenance visits. However, even if you don’t use your car often and never see a maintenance reminder or check engine light turn on, an oil change is still recommended at least once every 12 months.

Have questions about getting your vehicle serviced or need to schedule an appointment? Call the Fernelius team at 231-597-7212 or visit us at 11283 North Straits Highway.