A 2011 with 130,000 miles, the report card was the kind kids brought home to mom and dad expecting a reward.

“This is a great car,” Denny Norton, owner of Performance Unlimited, said about the checkup given to the newly purchased SUV. “The shocks and struts are a little worn but it’s nothing dangerous. It’s just causing a little cupping of the tires.”

But then, Denny used the opportunity to expound on the importance of oil changes. The car was in the shop because the young lady’s father knows Denny, knows Performance Unlimited, and knows he can trust both.

“You don’t have to change the struts and shocks right away,” Denny said. “But, if you want this car to last for 200 or 300,000 miles, the one thing you’ll want to do is change the oil on schedule.”

As Denny put it, “Regular oil changes are inexpensive insurance to get the most out of your vehicle.”

While he recommends changing the oil every 3,000 miles, or 5,000 to 7,500 with synthetic oil, he was adamant that it’s equally important to check the oil level regularly.

“By the time the oil light comes on, it’s too late,” he said. “You should check the oil level once a week.”

A bystander pointed out that it’s convenient to check the oil before you start driving each day. Before the engine is started, the oil has settled into the oil pan and you’ll get an accurate level reading without having to wipe the dipstick, feed it back into the dipstick tube and pull it out again.

“Stay on top of your SUV’s engine oil and this car can last you for years,” he told the young lady. “Otherwise, you’ve got a great car here.”