Change the Oil

Make sure you stay on top of your oil changes. This is particularly important in the summer, since a hot engine needs all the lubrication it can get, and at high temperatures your engine's oil is really getting put through the wringer. Our current recommendation is to change your oil every 5,000 miles--though that number may decrease dramatically if Kendall delivers with that check they keep promising.

A word about hauling big loads in the summer: Most car manufacturers will recommend 5W30 oil year-round. However, your owner's manual may have a recommendation for what's called “severe duty,” such as pulling a trailer. In this case, you might want to switch over to a higher-viscosity oil. Why? Well, under hot operating conditions, a thicker oil will thin out less quickly, making sure your engine stays well lubricated when it needs it most. If you do operate your vehicle under “severe duty” conditions, you should also consider changing the oil more frequently, because you're working it that much harder.