The Good Life – January-February 2016

of sludge and debris. Other parts of
the additive package are viscosity
additives and dispersant additives,
which help make sure the oil flows
properly at different temperatures
and help prevent sludge or acids from
bonding to the metal surfaces inside
your engine. While base oil never
wears out, these additive packages are
only designed to protect your engine
for a specific amount of time before
they are used up, which is why regular
oil change services are required. The
same principles can be said for the
other fluids in your vehicle as well,
but they are not exposed to the same
elements as your engine oil and will
have a longer service life as a result.
For instance, a recommended interval
for transmission fluid exchanges is 30-
50,000 miles, depending on driving
habits, conditions, and vehicle use.
ABS
Antilock braking systems do aid in
shortening the stopping distance
of a vehicle, but this is not its main
function. The main function of ABS is
to allow the driver to brake as hard as
possible while still being able to steer
the vehicle. Shorter stopping is simply
a byproduct of ABS.
All-Wheel Drive
All-wheel drive is most commonly
thought to give you better control of
your vehicle, but the main benefits
of all-wheel drive are to help you
accelerate better, accelerate through
turns, get up hills, get through snow,
mud, etc., and does little to help
you avoid obstacles or corner faster.
Vehicle control is determined by
tires, vehicle weight, suspension, and
weight distribution.
Vehicles can quite often be very
confusing to the average person and
that’s ok. Automotive Service Centers
and their technicians are trained and
are here to help you understand, and
you should direct any questions you
have regarding your vehicle and the
services you may or may not need to
them. ■
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