Severe Service Defined

SEVERE SERVICE DEFINED
1. Trips of 5 miles (8 kilometers) or less.
2. Trips of 10 miles (16 kilometers) or less and the outside temperature remains below 32° Fahrenheit.
3. Trailer towing.
4. Operating in dusty, sandy or salty areas.
5. Extended idling conditions or low speed operation such as stop and go traffic.
6. Extended driving in excessive temperature conditions (above 50% at 90° Fahrenheit).
7. When vehicle is used for delivery services, police, taxi or other commercial applications.
8. Driving continuously in excess of normal highway speeds.

NOTES:
Some vehicle manufacturers provide separate maintenance procedures for vehicles operated under Severe or Special circumstances. Other manufacturers provide recommendations for service at more frequent intervals for vehicles operated under severe conditions. For any vehicle operated under severe conditions, as defined by the vehicles manufacturer, always check the regular maintenance schedule for procedures that may not appear at the similar interval under severe service, see Example 1.

Example 1:
Manufacturer recommends tire rotation at 10,000 mile intervals under regular maintenance. There is no tire rotation recommendation shown in the severe service schedule, which has 3,000 mile intervals.

At a minimum, recommend rotation at 9,000 and 18,000 mile intervals etc., or as close to the regular schedule as possible. Depending on vehicle usage and obvious tire wear, this recommendation should be increased as necessary.

Also, some vehicle manufacturers provide only a single schedule (Normal) for all driving conditions. Some of the components listed in the schedule may have notes describing alternate service intervals for that component depending on driving conditions, see Example 2.

Example 2:
Many vehicles have an "Engine Oil Life Monitor" lamp which can illuminate anytime between intervals depending on driving conditions. The oil should then be replaced at that time, regardless of mileage, and the "Engine Oil Life Monitor" reset.