20 Ways Your Mechanic Is Lying To You

You Should Winterize ( or Summerize) Your Car

Modern coolant and antifreeze is meant to last for much of the life of your car. If it doesn’t, there’s clearly a different problem that a fluid change won’t fix. “For many years, cars have been equipped with enhanced coolants whose change intervals range from five years or 50,000 miles to 10 years or 150,000 miles,” Calkins says. “Cars with older green ‘conventional’ coolant still require changes every two years or 24,000 miles.” Letting it go some years can save $50 to $100, though again “it depends,” DeLorenzo says. “Check to make sure the fluid is topped off, but every two years is sufficient.”

One Service Schedule Fits All

If you use a car mostly for trips of 5 miles or less, carry a lot of heavy loads, regularly pull a trailer, do a lot of stop-and-go driving, or live in extreme heat, cold, or dust, bring it in more often. Every vehicle owner’s manual has provisions for “severe” driving conditions to consult.