All Makes & Models - Foreign & Domestic
All Major & Minor Repairs
We Build Customers For Life!
Senior Citizen Discounts
Master State & ASE Certified Technicians
March 5, 2023
Since driving requirements and lifestyles differ among Batavia drivers, your vehicle manufacturer publishes two auto maintenance schedules: the regular schedule and the severe service schedule. Which schedule should Batavia drivers follow? Here are some questions to ask yourself:
Are most of your trips less than four miles/six kilometers around Batavia?
Are most of your trips less than 10 miles/16 kilometers in below-zero Illinois temps?
Are most of your trips off-highway in Illinois?
Do you drive often in dusty Batavia areas?
Do you regularly tow a trailer or carry heavy loads around Batavia?
Do you drive in very hot or very cold Illinois weather?
Think about your typical week. Do you live by your nearest Batavia on-ramp and enjoy a non-stop commute? Or, do you drive the neighborhood car pool in stop-and-go traffic on Batavia surface streets?
Let's suppose your owner's manual says the severe service oil change recommendation is 3,000 miles/5,000 kilometers and the standard recommendation is 5,000 miles/8,000 kilometers. You know that you need to change the oil somewhere between 3,000 and 5,000 miles/5,000 and 8,000 kilometers. Analyze your driving patterns and Batavia weather and road conditions to determine which end of the spectrum you're closer to.
Why should Batavia residents care about this? Normal condensation causes moisture accumulation in the engine oil. Short trips around Batavia or winter driving means that the engine doesn't heat up enough for the moisture to evaporate. The water in the oil turns to oil sludge that clogs up your engine and doesn't let the oil protect it adequately. That's why Illinois residents need to change their oil more often – to clean the sludge out before it causes problems.
Carrying heavy loads (with or without a trailer) in Illinois summer weather causes your engine and transmission to run at higher temperatures and with more stress. The fluids will break down more quickly. Additives that clean and prevent corrosion will be depleted sooner. Air pollution and dust cause fluids to get dirty faster. Ditto for filters. All of these things can lead to premature wear and eventual repairs. If you want some expert advice, talk with your friendly and knowledgeable Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Batavia service advisor. We can help you restore your vehicle to good working order and help you know the best schedule to follow.
Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Batavia
630-879-9941
301 S. Randall Rd
Batavia, Illinois 60510
January 26, 2025
You may have heard about an important part of your vehicle's engine called a timing belt, and many know that if that belt breaks, it can cause some very serious engine problems. Not all vehicles have them, and the ones that do generally have smaller engines. The timing belt keeps the engine sy... More
January 19, 2025
Its important for safe driving that two of the most important systems in your vehicle work right. One is the brakes. The other is the steering. Nearly all vehicles on the road have some sort of power steering that allows you to direct a very heavy machine with little effort. There are two ty... More
January 12, 2025
Can you think of anyone who enjoys aging? Wrinkles where you don't want them, gray hair, eyes that won't focus any more, no stamina. Believe it or not, your tires age, too, and they don't get better the older they get. And here's the important thing to know, even if they can still pass a tread... More
