Service maintenance schedules can differ greatly from vehicle to vehicle and manufacturer to manufacturer. Since driving requirements and lifestyles differ among Spokane drivers, Audi vehicle manufacturers publish two auto maintenance schedules: the regular maintenance schedule and the severe service schedule. Having two schedules published can cause some confusion about service maintenance schedules for Audi. Which schedule should Spokane auto owners follow? Read on in the blog from C&H Foreign Auto to learn more about server service schedules from Audi and which you should consider when scheduling your Audi service.
Determining Service Maintenance Schedules for Audi
Here are some questions to ask yourself:
- Are most of your trips less than four miles around Spokane?
- Are most of your trips less than 10 miles in below-zero Washington temps?
- Are most of your trips off-highway in Washington?
- Do you drive often in dusty Spokane areas?
- Do you regularly tow a trailer or carry heavy loads around Spokane?
- Do you drive in very hot or very cold Washington weather?
Think about your typical week. Do you live by your nearest Spokane highway on-ramp and enjoy a non-stop commute to Spokane or Post Falls? Or, do you drive the neighborhood car pool in stop-and-go traffic on Spokane surface streets? Where you go, how you get there, speed of travel, weather and many more variables can contribute to which service maintenance schedules you adhere to for your Audi.
Consider Your User Manual for Service Maintenance Schedules
Let’s suppose your owner’s manual says the severe service oil change recommendation is 3,000 miles and the standard recommendation is 5,000 miles. You know that you need to change the oil somewhere between 3,000 and 5,000 miles. Analyze your driving patterns and Spokane weather and road conditions to determine which end of the spectrum you’re closer to.
Why should Spokane drivers care about their service maintenance schedules and the condensation in their area? Normal condensation causes moisture accumulation in the engine oil. Short trips around Spokane or winter driving means that the engine doesn’t heat up enough for the moisture to evaporate. This isn’t always true, but it’s typical. Every vehicle is different and, of course, there are exceptions to typical situations. In a typical scenario: The water in the oil turns to dangerous oil sludge that clogs up your engine and doesn’t let the oil protect it adequately. That’s why Washington drivers need to change their oil more often – to clean the sludge out before it causes problems.
Carrying heavy loads (with or without a trailer) in nice Washington summer weather causes your engine and transmission to run at higher temperatures and with more stress. The fluids will break down more quickly. Additives that clean and prevent dangerous corrosion will be depleted sooner. Air pollution and dust cause fluids to get dirty faster. Ditto for filters. All of these things can lead to premature wear and eventual repairs, not to mention your gas mileage. If you want some expert advice, talk with your friendly C&H Foreign Auto Repair advisor. We can help you restore your Audi to good working order and help you know the best schedule to follow.
To learn more, watch our informative AutoNetTV auto video tips at the top of this post.
C&H Foreign Auto Repair
509.487.9683
620 E. North Foothills Drive
Spokane, Washington 99207