Hamilton Journal-News

Wheels: Let’s talk about maintenance items this week that should be performed at this time of year.

Halderman: Vehicles are getting better every year, and routine maintenance is not needed as often as it was many years ago, but it should still be performed regularly.

This week I am outlining a reasonable preventive maintenance schedule that all vehicles owners should try to follow to increase the life of their vehicle.

Oil change — I recommend that the oil be changed every 5,000 miles or every six months due to advances in engine design and oils, as well as to conserve the use of oil.

If you use synthetic oil, this could be extended to every 7,500 miles or every six months, whichever comes first. I personally change oil every spring and fall and use synthetic (about every 6,000 miles).

Note: Some vehicle manufacturers are now recommending oil changes every 10,000 miles or once a year!

Air filter replacement — Change every year or every 15,000 miles. (This is cheap insurance against engine wear.)

Tire rotation — Perform this service every other oil change to help maintain even tire wear (every 10,000 miles or once a year).

Coolant replacement/flush — Every three years or 36,000 miles or according to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation.

Fuel filter replacement — Every three years or 36,000 miles or according to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations.

Brake fluid replacement — Every three years or 36,000 miles or sooner if recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.

Transmission fluid change/flush — Every three years or 36,000 miles or according to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation.

Remember, these service intervals should be repeated as the months and miles accumulate. For example,

Oil changes at: 5,000, 10,000, 15,000, 20,000, 25,000, 30,000, 35,000, etc.

Air filter replacement at: 15,000, 30,000, 45,000, 60,000, 75,000, etc.

Tire rotation at: 10,000, 20,000, 30,000, 40,000, 50,000 and continue to do the same with replacement tires.

Transmission fluid change/flush at: 36,000, 72,000, 108,000, etc.

Coolant replacement/flush at: 36,000, 72,000, 108,000, etc.

Fuel filter replacement at: 36,000, 72,000, 108,000, etc.

Brake fluid replacement at: 36,000, 72,000, 108,000, etc.

Wheels: It looks as if some of these items are being performed more often than the factory recommends. Why?

Halderman: The factory recommendations for service are the maximum allowable mileage or time interval. It is best to perform these maintenance items as often as practical for the longest possible vehicle life.

Wheels: These mileage numbers may be difficult to remember. Is there an easier way to know when to have the vehicle serviced?

Halderman: Yes. Most service shops and dealers have a recommended service schedule and will often mail you a reminder when service is needed. I suggest you locate the shop or dealer of your choice and allow them to maintain your vehicle on a regular basis. An easy way of remembering is to have your vehicle serviced at each change of the seasons.

Reader questions gas mileage with windows up, down

Wheels: A reader asks, “If you are going down the highway at 50 to 60 mph, with the windows down, what would the mileage be with the wind resistance, vs. running the car with the windows up and the air conditioning on? Does the air-conditioning compressor use more gas?”

Halderman: If I recall, research done several years ago indicated that when driving at highway speeds, it was slightly more economical to drive with the windows up using the air conditioning. In city-type driving, it is always more economical to drive with the windows down due to the reduced effect of wind resistance. Most of the air-conditioning systems today use a cycling or a variable compressor. Many years ago, air-conditioning compressors consumed more engine power than they do today and also operated all of the time.