Short trips in the cold are the hard case
Most owner's manuals list two maintenance schedules, a normal one and a severe one, and most drivers assume severe means towing or racing. It usually includes something far more ordinary: lots of short trips in cold weather.
An engine produces water as it runs. On a long drive the oil gets hot enough to drive that moisture off. On a five minute trip across town on a freezing morning, it never does. The water stays in the oil, along with fuel that did not burn completely while the engine was cold, and the oil breaks down faster than the mileage suggests.
A vehicle that does most of its winter driving in short hops can be due for a change well before the sticker says so, even with very few miles on it.
How to tell which schedule you are on
Look at how the vehicle is actually used in winter. Mostly short trips, frequent cold starts, long idling to warm up: follow the severe schedule in the manual. Mostly longer drives where the engine gets fully warm: the normal one is fine.
If you are not sure, the interval on the shorter side costs a little more and protects the engine either way.
While it is in
An oil change is a natural moment for a quick look at the rest: fluids, belts, tires and lights. Anything that is due goes on scheduled maintenance, and an engine light or a rough cold start is engine repair, both here. The national oil change page covers what the service includes.
About this store
The Reno store runs eighteen services and is managed by Fred Sinfellow.
See the national oil change page for all 33 locations.