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Oil Change Intervals

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 15:28:13 GMT

By TOM TORBJORNSEN

I have been in the auto repair industry since 1972 ... hummmm, a simple calculation of the math illustrates that I have been in car repair for, uh, well, let's not go there. It makes me depressed. You do the math and keep it to yourself. At any rate, enough about my mid life crisis. Let's talk about oil change intervals.

For years the accepted oil change interval (as per the carmakers) has been every 3 months or 3 thousand miles, whichever comes first. Why? Because the oils of yesterday degraded and broke down when left in the crankcase environment for longer than the prescribed interval. The combination of heat, friction, and the oil oxidizing over time resulted in an unholy clothing of the engine's internal parts called sludge. As an automotive machinist for a good part of my career, I can tell you that sludge is an engine killer. Sludge takes a greasy, cake-like oily form and plugs oil return passages and acts like a sponge and soaks up good oil to grow its grotesque form starving the engine of vital lubricants. Once established, engine heat crystallizes it to a hardened rock of ughhhhhh, I have spent many an hour scraping and yes, sometimes chiseling established sludge from the inside of an engine before performing a machining operation on it! As the machinist prepares to perform a machine operation on a cylinder head, crankshaft, engine block or the likes he/she must clean their work meticulously before performing the prescribed operation. If the sludge is not cleaned properly, the result will be a failed engine.

Why this lesson about sludge? Because without clean good quality oil in your car's engine, it will develop sludge and cause premature engine failure.

Now more than ever before, vehicle engines operate at high heat and close tolerances. The reason for this is the Federal Emissions mandates the government has imposed on the carmakers. Vehicles have to emit a smidgeon of the tailpipe emissions they did a decade ago. Carmakers have risen to this occasion by increasing combustion chamber temps with higher compression engines, running leaner fuel systems, adjusting ignition timing for optimum emissions, narrowing cooling system water jackets, and tightening engine oil tolerances. All this makes for hotter running engines that emit less tailpipe emissions. Putting these demands on engines requires a lubricant that can stand up to this harsh environment. Hence, petroleum companies' work hand in hand with carmakers to develop engine lubricants to meet the requirements and demands of a particular powerplant, still delivering the advertised horsepower and torque output that consumers expect. Research and development between carmakers and petroleum companies has resulted in improved engine lubricants that properly lubricate your vehicle's engine as well as keep the inside clean of sludge buildup, AND CAN GO LONGER BETWEEN OIL CHANGES!

A pioneer in extending oil change intervals ...

A few years back, GM introduced a system called the OLM (Oil Life Monitor) system. This system had been in testing since 1984 and actually was put into some Buicks on a test basis. The goal of this system? To extend oil change intervals and attain bragging rights to having a more maintenance-free vehicle. The OLM monitors crankcase temp, moisture, and combustion chamber events (this represents the actual work the engine is doing while in operation). By closely monitoring these elements of engine operation the system can measure the serviceable life of the oil to within 10%. After officially introducing the OLM with virtually no engine failures attributed it the OLM, GM changes their service recommendations to what they called an "Enhanced Maintenance Schedule." With the Enhanced Schedule, the motorist need only follow the dictates of the OLM and have other scheduled services done at prescribed intervals.

Ford Motor Company has followed GM into the extended oil change interval march. Four months ago (March of this year) Ford announced that they are revising engine oil change intervals to every 7500 miles. The reason? Quoting the article from the Associated Press dated March 22nd, 2007:

" Not only are modern oils better, modern engines are also better. You don't have carburetors metering poorly on winter mornings, tolerances are a lot tighter, and operating temperatures are typically a little hotter, helping to cook off the junk that accumulates in the oil. Ford contends that its customers prefer a set amount of miles between changes. The automaker also cites the environmental benefits that come from less waste oil, monetary savings, as well as extensive tests as positive aspects of the new recommendation. "

Yes oil is much better than it used to be, engines are better protected with today's new lubricants but the same old logic still applies to the oil filter: always use a good quality filter when having the engine oil changed. The filter is the storehouse for dirt in the engine and when it doesn't do its job, the engine suffers internally. When dirt and grit are allowed to circulate over, within and on the engine bearing surfaces, cylinder walls, crankshafts, piston rings, camshafts and virtually all metal mating surfaces, they are damaged resulting in wider oil tolerances, lowered oil pressure and ultimately premature engine failure.

While I concur with R&D results over the years with respect to oil change intervals, I am still squeamish about leaving petroleum-based oil in an engine for 7500 miles. I guess I just know too much based on personal experience.

So while yes, I have revised my thinking regarding extending oil change intervals:

Here are my revised oil change recommendations: change regular petroleum based oils every 4-5 thousand miles and synthetic every 5-7 thousand miles.

There, those of you that for years have criticized me as being in the back pocket of petroleum companies for recommending 3 thousand mile oil changes, are you happy now?

'Til next time ... Keep Rollin'

What it means to be ASE Certified

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 15:21:14 GMT

Until the early 1970s, consumers had no way to distinguish between incompetent and competent mechanics. In response to this need, the independent, non-profit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) was established in 1972.

ASE's mission is to improve the quality of vehicle repair and service through the testing and certification of repair and service professionals.

At present, about 420,000 professionals hold current certifications. They work in every segment of the automotive service industry: car and truck dealerships, independent garages, fleets, service stations, franchises, and more.

Here's how ASE certification works: Prospective candidates register for and take one or more of ASE's 40-plus exams. The tests are grouped into specialties for automobile, medium/heavy truck, truck equipment, school bus, and collision repair technicians as well as engine machinists, alternate fuels technicians, parts specialists, auto service consultants, and collision damage estimators.

Upon passing at least one exam and after providing proof of two years of relevant work experience, the test taker becomes ASE certified. After a technician passes ALL the tests in the automobile field, he is ASE Master Certified. Certification, however, is not for life. To remain certified, those with ASE credentials must be retested every five years.

Tests are conducted twice a year at over 750 locations around the country and are administered by ACT, known for its academic and occupational testing programs. In addition, selected tests are offered in a computer-based testing (CBT) format at 200 sites for two five-week periods each year. The exams stress knowledge of job-related skills. The tests are no cinch to pass; approximately one out of three test takers fails.

Motorists benefit from ASE certification. It is a valuable yardstick by which to measure the knowledge and skills of individual technicians as well as the commitment to quality of the repair facility employing ASE-Certified professionals.

Motorists should look for facilities that display the ASE Blue Seal of Excellence logo.

Private Repair Shop Vs. The Dealer - Where should you take your car?

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 15:17:41 GMT

It's an inconvenience, but you really do have to maintain your car if you want it to work well, burn fuel efficiently and stay clear of costly repairs. But what kind of facility should service your car? There's always the service department at the dealership, but you know it'll probably cost you an arm and a leg. There's also Joe's Garage — right down the street, but can you trust them to do the job right?

Although most people assume that new and used car sales are the big moneymakers, the service industry is no small potatoes: Service repairs for 2004 are forecasted at almost $137 billion in the U.S. alone, according to the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association. Of this, $61.6 billion is labor, and $75.2 billion is for parts and chemicals.

So where to go? Below we've outlined some of the pros and cons of the dealers versus the corner garage. Bear in mind that "corner garage" means small, independent repair shops, not the chains like Midas, Jiffy Lube, Meineke or Pep Boys. Those chains, which often specialize on one "area" of the car, fall in a middle ground between the Big Boy dealerships and the mom-and-pop repair shops.

Technical Staff

The technicians at the dealer level are specialists; they are manufacturer-trained and typically work exclusively on your make of vehicle. Most dealers have an ongoing training program for the service staff, which includes not only the service technicians but also the service manager, advisors and support staff. The manufacturers offer these training programs only to their network of dealers. The dealers typically pay for these programs to keep up with the latest vehicle enhancements and repair techniques.

A manufacturer-trained and experienced technician is one of the dealers' biggest assets, so dealers typically offer higher salaries or other incentives in order to recruit and retain these employees. Of course, these costs are passed on to the customer in the form of higher labor rates.

This is not to say that the dealers always have the best technicians. Many independent repair facilities are started by previous dealer employees who want to operate their own repair store. Once on their own, they can continue to stay current with the latest repair advancements by taking classes and getting certified through the (Automotive Service Excellence). Many technicians are both manufacturer- and A.S.E.-certified, so don't be afraid to ask about their certifications.

Although A.S.E. training is less "make" specific than the manufacturer's training, the technicians at these facilities can be just as expert in their knowledge, depending on their experience. There are many shops that specialize in only one make (especially European makes) and so can be trusted to know their stuff. Other shops that deal with a variety of makes may specialize less, but can be terrific if you have more than one make of car, want one-stop shopping and prefer to see the same faces each visit.

Personal Relationships

There is nothing more important than a competent mechanic, and you won't get to know your mechanic unless you go to a small garage. Smaller facilities allow for more personal relationships between car owner and repair facility personnel. You are able to get to know your mechanic (among others) by name. He (or she) may become very familiar with your vehicle and anticipate issues or problems down the road.

At dealerships, you're often just a number on a computer printout, and you most likely won't even meet the mechanic. Particularly at larger dealerships, you'll have no idea who is working on your car, what his experience is or if the same mechanic will ever work on your car again. Recommendations for the future will probably be confined to whatever is on the manufacturer's or the dealer's own maintenance schedule and will be made by a service advisor. Although many service advisors know plenty about the vehicles they handle, keep in mind that their role is more that of a salesman than an expert mechanic, so it is not unusual for problem descriptions and diagnostic information to get lost in translation. And since they usually work on commission, service advisors have an obvious incentive to get you to spend more money. This is not to say that service advisors can never be trusted to make recommendations about maintenance or repairs that your car might require, but as a consumer, you should be wary of any high-pressure tactics.

The one-on-one relationship between driver and mechanic that smaller repair shops foster can really help consumers have confidence in both the work that's performed and in the vehicle itself. Local mechanics are more willing to help you understand how your car performs and what it needs. You can ask to look under the hood or the chassis with your local mechanic, and perhaps learn something about what goes where or why a service needs to be performed. A dealer service technician may also be willing to go over particular trouble spots with you, but your access to him depends on your rapport with your service advisor and how busy the dealership is.

Location and Convenience

Repair shops are often in more easily accessible locations than the dealers — as in the proverbial "corner" garage. You might have dozens of small shops to choose from on the drive that stretches between your home and your dealership. Chances are, if the repair or service that you need isn't major, it's a lot more convenient to drive a short way to your neighborhood repair shop than it is to go to the dealer, especially if you need to leave your car for servicing. Of course, if your car needs repairs covered by its manufacturer warranty, or is backed by a complimentary maintenance plan, then it's worth it to drive the extra distance. Further, most dealer service departments will provide a shuttle back to your office or home, provided it's no farther than five miles or so. And many luxury-brand dealers will go the extra mile, providing consumers with loaner cars to drive while warranty work is being performed. Often, these loaners are pulled from cars that are on the dealer's lot (so that, for example, Lexus owners can be given another Lexus to drive while theirs is out of commission). Some dealerships contract with rental car companies; although you may be given a less prestigious loaner to drive, it is transportation nonetheless.

Guarantee on the Work

What about warranties? There the advantage definitely goes to the dealer. First, a dealer will perform repairs for free if your car is still under warranty. Dealers are paid by the manufacturers to perform this service and require the service technician to verify the problem, so you might find that dealers are hesitant to perform warranty work for problems they have difficulty substantiating. Even if you have to pay for repairs outside the warranty period, dealers can back up their repairs with a warranty that is good nationwide. Thus, if the repair doesn't hold, it can be fixed free of charge at any other dealer.

The dealers can also offer manufacturer-backed extended warranties for both new and used vehicle purchases. The manufacturer-backed extended warranties can make service easier because there is a large network of available dealers; this is especially important if you plan on moving or do a lot of traveling in your vehicle. Small shops can offer warranties on service or repairs, but may not offer the same length of coverage or may cover only the parts or the labor, but not both. And if you travel with your vehicle, your warranty may be worthless wherever it is your car decides to give you trouble.

Customer Satisfaction

Dealership owners, or principals, have to pay vehicle manufacturers in order to work under their banner. Since they represent the manufacturer, service departments are required to measure up to corporate standards of customer satisfaction as part of the deal. In fact, customers are often surveyed by the manufacturer or the dealership to measure their satisfaction and (in theory, at least) to handle any unresolved issues. Dealer service departments know that if you're angry with their service, you'll complain to the manufacturer, and that would be bad news for them. Truth is, some dealerships are truly more concerned with keeping "corporate" happy than their customers, and it shows.

Local repair shops, on the other hand, report to no one but you. And since they're smaller, corner garages depend on repeat business and word of mouth to keep a steady stream of customers. They know that a happy customer will tell a friend, but an unhappy one will tell 10 friends. Because you are more apt to know the owner and/or his mechanics personally and may even be part of the same local community, small shops can't really afford to blow you off. They know that friends ask each other for recommendations.

Recalls and Service Bulletins

Dealer service departments have a distinct advantage when it comes to manufacturer recalls and technical service bulletins. If you've moved since you first bought your car, or if the manufacturer simply doesn't have your correct address on file, you may have no clue there's an open recall on your car. Most dealers will automatically check for recalls when you come in for service — corner garages do not have any such direct link with a particular manufacturer. In addition, recalls often require revised parts and can only be performed by a dealer.

Technical service bulletins, which are essentially special messages sent by a manufacturer to a dealer service department detailing a repair or special procedure for particular problems, are usually for dealer service eyes only. Anyone can order copies of the bulletins, including your corner garage, but obtaining them can be time-consuming and bulletins may be too numerous or too vehicle-specific to make it a feasible investment for them. For example, your car may be making a particular clunking sound that the corner garage can't figure out, but the dealer may have already received a bulletin from the manufacturer detailing the problem and how to fix it.

Parts Quality and Price

Manufacturers and their dealers offer only OE (Original Equipment) parts, which represent a standard of quality and engineering that only the manufacturer can authorize. A 12-month/12,000-mile warranty on parts and labor for repairs and/or service is not uncommon at the dealer level. Many manufacturers offer some of the best warranties in the business on not only the parts but also the dealer's labor to install those parts. But while dealers can offer only OE parts, small repair shops can offer OE or aftermarket parts, which are meant to substitute for the OE part. The advantage of aftermarket parts is that, like generic prescription drugs, they are supposed to perform the same function for a lot less money. There are times, though, when aftermarket parts are inferior to OE parts. By law, if you request OE parts from any repair shop, they are obliged to provide them. So you have the choice at small shops — go with OE parts, or save the money. Depending on what you choose, you may have to wait for a part that's not in stock.

Customization

For performance-oriented car owners, small shops provide a unique advantage in that some of them will modify your vehicle to your specifications. Many of these types of shops specialize in a certain make or model of vehicle and often know it better than the dealer technicians, especially when it comes to performance modifications. Although dealers have historically stayed away from customization and performance upgrades, this is starting to change in response to increased consumer interest in the aftermarket. A number of manufacturers now offer performance upgrade kits that can be purchased from and installed by their dealers. Although serious enthusiasts are still apt to find smaller shops the better way to go when it comes to getting maximum performance for their money, dealer retrofits offer a quick and easy route to more performance, while giving you the assurance that none of the modifications will void your car's factory warranty.

Facilities

Dealers do have a distinct advantage when it comes to facilities. Dealers get manufacturers' assistance with start-up costs and equipment. They get first dibs on any of the manufacturers' newly developed service tools, specifications and, as noted above, recall and service bulletins. That way, the manufacturer keeps the latest information on new cars and the hardware to best service them "in-house," at least for awhile. (This translates to keeping your money in-house, as well.)

Size also matters. Dealers usually have larger facilities and that means more service bays are available to accommodate customers. This can, but doesn't always, translate to quicker turnaround time. You may find it more difficult to get prompt service at large, busy dealerships, especially if you go in without an appointment.

Dealer facilities are often cleaner, more organized and better maintained than smaller shops. At a dealer facility, you may find a waiting room, clean bathrooms, a place to buy car accessories, even the availability of drinks, snacks and television. They may even wash your car before returning it to you. This can make the overall experience a lot more pleasurable.

So how can small repair shops compete with dealers on facilities? The short answer is: They can't. But since smaller shops incur far less overhead costs than dealer facilities, they can charge you less. Often a lot less. The other thing to keep in mind is that although smaller shops may have fewer service bays, they are sometimes able to provide faster service on shorter notice. Whereas your car may be in line behind a dozen others at a dealer service department, the slower pace at independent shops may permit the mechanic to address your needs right away.

Price of Labor

Everything else being equal, sending your car to a dealer for service would be an easy decision, because dealers have a lot in their corner. But it's not equal. Price stands out as the biggest advantage that small shops have over dealerships. Depending on your budget, that can outweigh any and all advantages the dealer has to offer. The overhead at dealer service departments — the nice facilities, trained technician, additional personnel and so on — translates into a higher labor rate per hour — roughly $15-$20 per hour higher, and sometimes more — than that of independent facilities. It isn't difficult to find a huge disparity in parts price markup as well. This means your total bill with a dealer could be significantly more than a small garage, though exactly how much will depend on the kind of service you need and the individual garages you visit. Of course, if your car is still under warranty or is covered by a free maintenance plan, you could end up paying nothing for your visit to a dealer service department. Just make sure to confirm what's covered and what's not before signing off on your service advisor's estimate.

Your Decision

If you do decide that dealer service is what you want, get your name on the dealer's service mailing list. You will get a certain amount of junk mail, but some of that will include coupons for significant discounts on maintenance and service. If you decide to go with a smaller shop instead, look for places nearby that specialize in your vehicle's make; then ask them about prices, certifications and warranties. Finally, no matter what type of service shop you're contemplating, it can't hurt to ask friends for recommendations or to check the Better Business Bureau to see if there have been complaints filed. At least this way you'll know that, no matter what you choose, you won't get taken for a ride.