Everyone knows that in order to keep your car running at its best, it's important to keep up with factory-recommended maintenance and routine inspections. Maintenance intervals may vary, depending on your car's make, model and year of vehicle. The owner's manual is the best way to learn about the exact service intervals. It's written by the factory representatives who design and build the car, and they would know best how to keep everything running smoothly.
Each service interval has certain basic maintenance involved, in addition to more detailed inspections of fluids, filters, spark plugs as well as wear and tear. All automobile manufacturers create detailed auto maintenance schedules and outline the specific operations to be performed on various components and systems, in order to receive the best possible performance based on normal driving conditions. However, your driving habits and local conditions may serve as indicators signaling that your vehicle requires shorter maintenance intervals. When in doubt, ask your repair shop to explain the reason it recommends service beyond the factory-recommended schedule.
Since most people don't read the owner's manual, we have prepared a general car maintenance schedule that you can follow in order to keep your car in good shape.
Check Frequently
- Dashboard Lights
- Headlights and Turn Signals
- Tires' Inflation and Condition
- All fluid levels and their conditions
- Backup camera lens (clean them while checking)
Check Every 3 Months / 3,000 Miles
- Check engine oil level/filter and lubrication
- Add fuel injector cleaner to the fuel
Check Every 6 Months / 6,000 Miles
- Check the engine air filter
- Examine the engine oil condition
- Check the under-hood hoses and belts
- Inspect the power steering fluid
- Examine the wiper blades
- Check the exhaust's conditions
- Inspect the brakes and service
- Check the power steering fluid level
- Adjust the clutch, if your vehicle has a manual transmission (some are self-adjusting)
Check Every 12 Months / 12,000 Miles
- Check the cabin air filter
- Examine the chassis lubrication
- Inspect the coolant (antifreeze)
- Check the steering and suspension
- Examine the wheel alignment
- Rotate the tires every 10,000 miles
- Clean the battery connections
Every 30,000 Miles
- Replace the spark plugs. Some are designed to last up to 100,000 miles, so check what kind you have and when they are due for a change
- Replace the distributor cap and rotor (if applicable)
- Inspect the spark plug wires (if applicable)
- Change the transmission fluid
- Replace the oxygen sensors (for vehicles manufactured between the late 1970s
and the early 1990s)
- Inspect the shocks for leaks, and perform a bounce test
- Replace the PCV valve
- Clean the throttle body
Every Two Years
- Flush the coolant system
- Check the battery electrolyte level
Every 40,000 Miles
Every 60,000 Miles
- Replace the air filter
- Change the automatic transmission fluid (if you drive an automatic vehicle)
- Inspect the brakes
- Examine the accessory drive belts
- Replace the timing belt (if your vehicle has a timing chain, it doesn't need to be replaced unless there's a problem with it)
- Have the front end alignment inspected and checked
Every 80,000 Miles
Every 100,000 Miles
- Replace the oxygen sensors (for vehicles manufactured after the mid-1990s)
- Replace the rear axle lubricant
As-Needed Maintenance
- Have the alignment adjusted. This can help in extending the life of your tires
Car maintenance is a mystery to many vehicle owners. If you have any questions, concerns, or if you need to book an appointment, please do not hesitate to contact us online or call us at (905) 381-9285.
