On a daily basis are you running children to pre-school, school, after school extracurricular events, and doctor/dentist/orthodontist appointments? Do your resolutions to prepare healthy meals end when after a day of dropping this child off and picking this child up finds you too tired to cook? You berate yourself as you drive through McDonalds…again but find yourself whispering a silent “thank goodness for Micky D’s?” You tell yourself you will do better on the weekends but then you start those off with cool to downright cold nights in the bleacher at football games cheering your child on or watching your child, the cheerleader. On Saturday and Sundays can you be found sitting in lawn chairs watching your child(ren) playing soccer? If you answered yes to any of the above, you are a shuttle service. Hey…many grandparents I know are operating shuttle services too!
You probably realize the gas tank is getting close to empty more frequently but you may be overlooking another important fact. Most of this sort of driving is short trips but it does add up and takes a lot out of your vehicle. This is what we refer to as “severe” driving.
- Frequent short trips of less than 10 miles.
- Multiple short trips
Severe driving conditions lead to more rapid sludge formation. Sludge is that thick, sticky substance that forms inside the engine through a combination of oil oxidation residue, carbon and water. Water condenses as a result of a hot engine cooling down. The oil mixes with the water and makes this thick sludge that sticks to the engine parts. Frequent cold starts and short trips cause this condition because it does not allow the engine oil to heat up enough to vaporize and remove the water. Sludge clogs oil passages such as oil drain-back holes and, in some cases, block the oil pick-up screen in the oil pan, causing the engine not to get enough oil.
Checking your motor oil tells us a lot about your driving habits and if you fall into the category of “severe driving” we can show you what it looks like next time you are in for an oil change. Keeping the engine oil flowing correctly is the single most important thing you can do to give your vehicle long life. If you are a severe driver you don’t need to stress over it. Engine oils and additives have come a long way to break down the sludge and help keep it from forming. We can recommend the best products and suggest how often you should come in for a complete oil change.
We are here for our shuttle services, taxi moms and dads and yes…the grandparents who provide these services as well. Together, we’ll get you through it so you don’t miss a moment of your children or grandchildren’s special moments.
Happy Motoring,
The Car Guy 