Everyone in Cincinnati, Ohio knows we are advised to go to our Cincinnati dentist twice a year.  Oral-conscious Cincinnati residents have a teeth-cleaning and examination. Once a year, we get x-rays to look for problems that can’t be seen with the naked eye. When our dentist is done, he/she tells us what was found – "Everything’s fine, see you in six months." Or "You’ve got a small cavity starting, let's schedule an appointment to take care of it." By the time you leave, you have a plan for addressing any necessary issues.

This system works so much better than waiting for a painful problem before going into the dentist. Small problems are fixed before they turn into big pricey problems. And you avoid those huge bills.

If Cincinnati folks understand the wisdom of using this system for handling dental care, why do many resist when facing the same system for our essential car maintenance?

Tuffy Auto Service Center Cincinnati
9401 Fields-Ertel
Cincinnati, Ohio 45249
513-683-5060

Following the auto maker's recommended intervals can be confusing. First, there are recommendations for so many things: oil changes, transmission, coolant, air conditioning, power steering, brakes, fuel system, filters, belts, hoses, alignment, rotation, balancing ...you get the point.

Every item has a recommended interval and it's hard for Cincinnati auto owners to keep it all straight – even if you’re part of the 1% of the Ohio auto owners that read their owners’ manual.

And if you have more than one SUV, the complexity is multiplied. You'd need a computer to keep track of everything. Well, that's how your service center Cincinnati does it. For example, Tuffy Auto Service Center Cincinnati subscribes to automotive databases that have your vehicle's recommended intervals. You may have wondered how they know what else to recommend when you take your car in for an oil change – it's all in the database.

Well, it's not all in the computer. There are other variables that can’t be accounted for in the schedule. Things like Cincinnati weather conditions, altitude, and where and how you drive in Ohio. Talk about these things with your friendly Tuffy Auto Service Center Cincinnati service professional and you may decide that the severe service schedule in your owner's manual is more appropriate.

Since anything that's not highway driving in moderate Cincinnati weather is considered severe, most of us do at least some of that around Cincinnati, Ohio and it should be taken into account.

Let's take your basic oil change as an example – what issues are involved? The oil you put in your SUV is a blend of base oil and special additives. There are detergents to clean the inside of your SUV engine and corrosion inhibitors. A good quality motor oil will not only lubricate your engine, it will help it stay clean inside and run cooler.

Now, these additives deplete with use and time. That's why most automobile manufacturer's maintenance recommendations include both a time and mileage element – like 3 months or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first.

It's easy for Cincinnati drivers to think, "Gee, I've only driven 2,000 miles in the last 3 months. I can wait on that oil change." But you need to remember that the inside of your engine is a detrimental environment. The oil is contaminated with combustion by-products that starts degrading its effectiveness even when it's just sitting there.

A lot of people in Cincinnati don't realize how harmful it is to skip an oil change. There are a lot of detrimental metal parts moving around in your engine. Small bits of metal wear off and are floating around in your oil. They can be carried to more delicate areas of the engine where they cause damage. Your oil filter is designed to trap metal particles and other dirt, but if it's clogged up because you haven't changed it, it can't trap any more.

Oil sludge is another problem for Cincinnati car owners. Sludge is oil that has turned to a gunky jelly – think 'Vaseline'. Obviously, sludge doesn't lubricate. It can also clog small oil passages so that all the parts don't get properly protected by the oil. That'll lead to premature wear.

If you've missed some oil changes, don't despair. Just talk with your friendly Tuffy Auto Service Center Cincinnati service professional. Fess up – you'll feel better. And he can help you get back on track. Following recommended intervals is the key to keeping your SUV on the road and avoiding expensive repairs.

Take a look at the auto tips video in this post for more information.