Many automakers require owners to use synthetic motor oil in their cars’ engines. This is because synthetic oil has some advantages over conventional motor oil. It’s designed to be more effective at:

• Resisting break-down, and thus lasts longer than mineral oil
• Withstanding high temperatures
• Flowing in cold temperatures, thus reducing engine wear during frigid startups.

Using synthetic in these situations will prolong your oil life and require fewer changes. That’s a major benefit to the environment, as used motor oil is a major source of toxic waste in water. Your pocketbook will also thank you.

Cars made since the early 1980s only need tune-ups every 30,000 miles. If your car was built before then, you may want to tune it up every 15,000 miles, and your tune-up will be more complicated than the tune-ups done on modern cars. If you own a brand new car, it may not need a tune-up for 100,000 miles. New-fangled “tune-ups” are named in honor of the old ritual, but don’t resemble it very much because advances such as electronic ignitions systems, engines running on unleaded fuel, and computer-controlled systems have made the old adjustments less frequent or even obsolete. The new tune-ups usually cover new spark plugs, a new fuel filter, a new air filter, a new PCV valve, and–only if needed–a new rotor, a new distributor cap, ignition wires, and a carburetor adjustment. Some mechanics also test the computer system and do an engine analysis. Sometimes an oil change is included, but oil changes are part of a more regular maintenance schedule and should take place every 3,000 miles.

The are many ways to monitor your cars recommended service schedule. This varies from year to make and model. Adams Auto in The Dalles, OR, will help you determine the recommended service schedule based on Year, Make, Model, And Mileage. We will keep you on track and running smoothly.