Are You a Normal Driver ?

Why is it so important to change your engine’s oil? Over time, the additives in the motor oil are used up. The only way to provide engines the protection they need is to change the oil and oil filter.
Oil also thickens over time, leading to poor cold-start lubrication performance as well as a drop in fuel economy. How quickly all this happens depends on what type of driver you are.
Your auto manufacturer usually has two classifications of drivers: normal drivers and severe drivers. This classification dictates the proper maintenance and oil change interval for your vehicle. These intervals are critical to ensure the oil in your car is providing the proper protection for your engine.


Normal and Severe Driver quiz

Which type of driver are you?
Take the following driving quiz to find out:

1. Do you frequently drive in stop-and-go traffic?

2. Do you drive in extreme temperature conditions-hot weather or below freezing?

3. Do you take multiple trips averaging five to ten miles in length?

4. Do you drive in dusty or muddy conditions or on rough roads?

5. Do you drive at prolonged higher engine speeds?

6. Do you use your car for towing?

7. Do you ever travel with a car-top carrier?

8. Are you a low-mileage driver who uses the car only on weekends?

9. Do you drive in areas where road salts are used or do you live in a coastal area?

If you answered “no” to all of these questions, many auto manufacturers may consider you a normal driver.
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may be considered a severe driver. According to auto makers, these motorists face conditions that may require more frequent oil changes.
Both of these classifications require that you check your owner’s manual for service recommendations based on the type of driving you do.


Most of us are Severe Drivers

If you discovered you are a severe driver, you are not alone. Many people are surprised to learn that what they thought was normal driving was actually severe driving.
Severe driving is not about driving style – it refers to the conditions you drive in. If you drive in a lot of stop-and-go traffic, in dusty or muddy conditions, or if you take frequent short trips, tow trailers, drive in areas where road salts are used, or live in a coastal area, you are most likely a severe driver.
At first glance, few people would consider the kind of driving many parents do as severe – but when you consider the many short trips and stop-and-go traffic cars endure as people shuttle their children to and from many activities, you can see how easy it is to meet this severe driver definition.
Because of the extreme temperatures, winter and summer driving is almost always severe. Changing oil at recommended intervals is not only a critical component of that maintenance – it also serves as a “trigger point” for performing other important vehicle checks, such as tire pressure, radiator levels and belt and hose integrity.


Saving Money

It’s no secret that a well-maintained car can run better, more efficiently and for a longer period of time. Certainly, if you are a severe driver, it is even more important to change your oil regularly. Many auto makers recommend a 3,000 mile oil change for these drivers.
A properly performing motor oil protects the engine, increases the car’s fuel economy and helps to guarantee its overall performance. Make sure to take your vehicle to a trained and certified auto technician based on the recommendations found in your owner’s manual.