Everyone in Loves Park , Illinois knows we are advised to go to our Loves Park dentist twice a year.  Oral-conscious Loves Park 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 costly problems. And you avoid those huge bills.

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

Tuffy Rockford
6574 E. Riverside
Loves Park , Illinois 61111
815.639.1239

Following the automobile manufacturer'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 Loves Park auto owners to keep it all straight – even if you’re part of the 1% of the Illinois motorists 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 Loves Park does it. For example, Tuffy Rockford 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 Chicago weather conditions, altitude, and where and how you drive in Illinois . Talk about these things with your friendly Tuffy Rockford service advisor and you may decide that the severe service schedule in your owner's manual is more appropriate.

Since anything that's not freeway driving in moderate Chicago weather is considered severe, most of us do at least some of that around Loves Park , Illinois 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 Loves Park motorists 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 harmful 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 Loves Park don't realize how harmful it is to skip an oil change. There are a lot of dangerous 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 Loves Park motorists. 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 Rockford service advisor. 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 costly repairs.

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