Tag Archives: Bockman’s Auto Care

Severe service maintenance schedule for Sycamore and DeKalb automobile owners

Some of our customers at Bockman’s Auto Care are surprised to learn that there are actually two service schedules for their vehicles. One is the regular schedule and the other is the severe service schedule.

Let’s look at what the manufacturers say constitutes severe driving conditions, and let you draw your own conclusions:

  • Most of your trips are less than four miles
  • Most of your trips are less than ten miles and outside temperatures are below freezing
  • The engine is at low speed most of the time — not on the highway
  • You operate your vehicle in dusty areas
  • You regularly tow a trailer, carry heavy loads or a car-top carrier
  • Stop and go driving
  • Driving in very hot or very cold weather

So you can see that a lot has to do with how you drive, but some has to do with where you drive. Some areas of the country will be more or less severe than it is here in DeKalb County.

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Category : Bockmans Auto Care, May 2015 Edition
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Brakes really aren’t optional equipment. And taking care of them isn’t optional either.

Bockmans Auto CareA regular brake inspection is on every car’s maintenance schedule. An inspection will check your brake system and let you know if there are any problems. Of course, if you’re having trouble with your brakes, get your car into a Sycamore or DeKalb service center right away. And watch out for these problems:

  • Low or spongy brake pedal
  • Hard brake pedal
  • A brake warning light that stays on
  • Constantly squealing or grinding brakes
  • Vibrations or clunking sounds when you apply your brakes

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Category : Bockmans Auto Care, October 2012 Edition, Sycamore
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What type of motor oil is best for my vehicle’s engine?

Motor oil is used in automobile and truck internal combustion engines as lubrication for the engine’s moving parts, to clean the engine, help prevent corrosion, improve the sealing properties of various elements in the engine and help cool the engine by carrying away heat from moving parts.

Motor oil is normally made from heavy, thick petroleum hydrocarbons found in crude oil. Some oils, however, are entirely synthetic (derived from mineral or non-mineral based oils) or a synthetic blend (or hydrocarbon-based oils and synthetic-based oils).

But which motor oil is best for your vehicle and what’s the difference between all the different types, weights and other options?

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Category : August 2012 Edition, Bockmans Auto Care
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