And please, NEVER try to conserve fuel by coasting down a long hill with the engine off, or with the transmission in neutral. Since fuel prices began to soar a few years ago, I’ve heard many kids discuss having done this, and it’s very DANGEROUS. With the engine off, you’ll lose any power steering, power brakes, and in many car models, you could also damage various (expensive) components of the drive train. You might even hit the “jackpot” and cause your steering wheel LOCK to engage, as you turn the key a bit too far. Even coasting in NEUTRAL while the engine is still running can be extremely hazardous, and on a steep grade, you can easily find yourself at 80 mph (no engine braking) and out of control. And get this: it’s probably illegal, too.

Re: Item (4) – Oil, Call me crazy, but I think many people over do it with the oil changes! Some shops & drivers insist on 3k miles or even fewer miles between oil changes! In fact, a brief search for “oil change myths” makes for some very entertaining reading.

Unless you drive a taxi or other heavily-used vehicle, or TOW something, or frequently make mostly SHORT trips, or drive where it’s always DUSTY, I think you can “push” it to the limits of the scheduled maintenance interval, which on many cars is closer to 7.5k miles. I drive my 1996 4WD (hard!) about 4k miles per year, and I change the oil just yearly. And I could probably cut that interval in half, but since it needs a yearly inspection anyway, I do it then. And in place of those “skipped” oil changes, just invest in a few shares of Chevron or Exxon/Mobil a few times during each year.

However: If your car OVERHEATS for ANY REASON, you should probably change not just the oil, but the (automatic) transmission fluid, immediately. Excessive HEAT destroys some of the additives in any modern lubricant. A good mechanic can tell if your ATF has been overheated by both the smell (cooked) and color (brownish) on the dipstick.

[...] Frugal Dad has some car maintenance tips [...]

http://www.filife.com/guides/top-5-auto-maintenance-tips-for-optimal-upkeep

I just replaced the engine in my 2006 Chrysler Town & Country with 58K miles. From what we can determine, the oil was not completely filled at the last oil change, 3K miles back.

The van has never burned a qt of oil, oil always changed every 3K miles, no leaks, no oil spots, no smoke – no problem that can be located, but 3K miles after the last change the engine was out of oil and severely damaged.

The repair shop I use is convinced the oil was not filled completely at the last oil change.

I was fortunate that Chrysler replaced the engine under warranty at a cost of $50 deductible.

I’ll probably avoid quick oil change shops in the future, but will definitely check the oil level after every oil change.