How often Should You Change your Oil

The Myth of 3,000 Miles

Most people have been taught to think you need to change your oil and filter in your car every 3,000 miles by the small oil change shops. They have created this myth so you will bring your car in sooner than it needs and they will get more business. Most manufacturers have listed a much higher number in their owner's manuals and if you read carefully, you will find they recommend changing the oil ever 5,000 - 7,500 miles. Remember, the manufacturer designed, build and tested your vehicle. They also warranty most cars up to 40,000 miles now so they would not put down bad advice in their owner's manuals and be stuck fixing their vehicles.

Who Promotes the 3,000 Mile Oil Change?

It is funny to think who promotes the notion that we should change the oil in our vehicles every 3,000 miles. This is supported and promoted by those who profit from changing the oil. Have you noticed who sponsors ads or articles that make you feel guilty for not changing your oil at this mark? Oil companies and oil change shops!! If these businesses can convince you to get new oil every 3,000 miles instead of 6,000 or 7,500, their profit doubles. I'm sure we have all been scared we will ruin our motor if we go over the 3,000 mile mark without changing our oil and this is simply not true. Today's oil is so good and will protect your engine even if you choose to leave it in their for as long as 7,500 miles, and you can perform this auto maintenance by yourself.

What is Correct Mileage for Oil Change?

So what is the correct interval for oil changes? In truth, there are many different opinions about the proper mileage for changing your oil as their are people interested in the debate. Some swear for changing ever 3,000 and others have had great luck changing every 8,000 miles. When all factors are considered, the best oil change will be between 5,000 and 6,000 miles depending on your owners manual. This is also a great time to get your tires rotated! Rotating your tires and changing your oil at the same time helps you remember to have it done and saves your time.

How to Shop for Struts and Shocks

When you need struts or shocks, call a few auto service shops to compare prices and warranties. Most

tire dealers, brake repair centers, and independent shops sell and install struts and shocks. When struts are replaced the alignment will need to be checked. Therefore, a center that has alignment capabilities is a good choice, although you could take your car to another shop to have it alinged. However don't drive your car more than about twenty miles before it is aligned. If you are replacing shocks only, the alignment need not be checked unless you notice uneven wear. Although most better quality shocks or struts are warranted for as long as you own them, this probably does not cover labor. Make sure you ask about this and any other warranty information when you call for an estimate. Since struts make up a major portion of the suspension, the time and labor requires to install them will be significantly higher than on a shock. You can expect to pay around ten to sixty dollars per strut for labor.

When shopping around for shocks and struts make sure to ask for brand name from your Denver auto repair shop. About ninety percent of all shocks are made by just two companies, Gabriel and Monroe, so you will hear these two names over and over. Many people will say their shocks and struts are made by just two companies, but the brand name won't be on the box, or the shock. These are private label shocks. One of the big shock makers builds them for another company who uses their own name brand. The only disadvantage to a private label is that the warranty will be honored only by the company who sold the shock. A national brand name shock will be warranted at any dealer who carries that brand. Be sure to get all these details in order to make a fair comparison and to help budget can stand it, the best quality struts or shocks will provide a smoother ride for a longer time. Don't be tempted to go with the lowest price just for the sake of saving money, you may just end up disappointed.

Irregular Tire Wear: Cupping

One problem that happens when tire rotation suggestions are not taken seriously is irregular tire wear. Irregular tire wear happens on the front tires of some cars, but usually happens on the back tires on vehicles with front-wheel-drive. If two tires remain on the rear of a car too long, they can develop humps and valleys in the tread pattern. This type of wears is usually called cupping. Cupping is also known as heal and toe or high low wear. This wear can cause a rough and noisy ride. The noise sounds like a roar from big mud tires. You can feel this issue with your hands when the problem is really severe. It isn't clear what causes this wear. The problem started appearing in auto shops during the eighties and some Denver auto repair shops say that the problem is caused by shocks, or car design. Although we do not know why this problem occurs, it is possible to know when it happens. Cupping occurs when the tires are run too long without being rotated How long is too long? This figure varies from car to car, but this wear usually shows up at 10,000 miles. The important thing to know is that proper tire rotation will almost always prevent this problem from ever occur.

How to Determine Auto Repair Labor Costs

Have you ever wondered how a shop determines how much labor to charge for a repair? Most service centers use a book, or computer software called a labor guide. This book lists practically every repair, for almost every car. This guide lists how long a specific repair should take for any make and model car, which allows a shop to estimate the labor charge before a hob is started. The guide gives the labor in time, not in dollars. The service center must multiply the hourly rate by the number of hours listed in the guide. For example, if a labor guide shows the number of hours it takes to rebuild a transmission, the service center would multiply its rate per hour by the number of hours to complete the job. Some shops consider their own experience when estimating the time for a specific repair. Look for a shop that specializes in the car or specific type of repair you need. If the repair you require is the shops specialty, the time it takes to complete the job can be cut in half.

If you are in a Denver auto repair shop for a repair and you suspect that you are being overcharged for the labor, try calling several other shops to ask them for an estimate on the amount of time they have listed in their labor guide. Most service centers will be glad to help you because they have a chance of getting a new customer. Ask them for the amount of time for the repair you need and the name of the labor guide they are using. If the labor price you are being charged does not agree with the labor guide, stop the repair before it starts and ask the service manager how he determined the labor price. If he cannot offer a good explanation, get out of there.You are the one in control. Make sure to get the repairs you want and nothing more.

Changing Trends in Auto Repair Industry

Automobiles have become an integral part of every household. Be it for commercial purpose or personal use, they help you with the smooth transportation of both the goods and the passengers, so the sound condition of your vehicles must always be ensured to avoid inconvenience. Regular maintenance of the vehicle will avoid many of the problems. However, if a problem arises, it must be rectified as soon as possible by taking the service of an auto repair company. The industry is very much advanced and can take care of any problems pertaining to your vehicles.

With the growing number of automobiles on the road, the demand for auto repair professionals has also increased. The industry has benefited heavily from this. The economic fluctuations hardly affect the industry. If the economic climate is not favorable, the purchase of the new vehicles will be limited. This will in turn be beneficial for the industry as older cars tend to malfunction more often. These factors make the investment in this industry very safe. These are the main reasons for the increasing number of service shops. The increasing competition has benefited the customers as better services are available at cheaper costs now.

The industry has undergone a series of changes and is at its peak right now. Technology has played a major part in improving the quality of service. The auto repair service management software has also helped in carrying out the shop functions more easily. Rather than cutting down the employment prospects, these software applications have provided new employment opportunities.

Mobile auto repairs

This facility has gained wide popularity over the years. Car washing and detailing services are also becoming more common. The mobile repair van is equipped with all the essential vehicle parts, tools, fuel etc. which are required for fixing an automobile and restoring it in the working condition.

There are many advantages of making use of this facility.

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