03/06/2020
Forgetting or ignoring recommended maintenance will end up costing you more in the long run! This routine maintenance schedule will extend your vehicles life.
Monthly (or More Often)
- Clean the backup camera lens
- Check the tire pressure
- Check the oil level (high-mileage oil is recommended)
- Check the coolant level
Every 3,000 Miles
- Change the oil and replace the oil filter (newer cars may be able to go longer. Check your owner's manual to see what's recommended for your car)
- Check the washer fluid level
- Add fuel injector cleaner to fuel
Every Six Months
- Check the power steering fluid level
- Wax the car to extend the life of the paint and to prevent rust
Every 5,000 Miles
- Adjust the clutch if a manual transmission (some are self-adjusting)
Every 10,000 Miles
- Inspect the belts
- Rotate the tires
Every Year
- Inspect the brakes
- Inspect the hoses and clamps
- Clean the battery connections
- Check the brake fluid level
- Check the manual transmission fluid
- Check the coolant strength
- Back-flush the radiator from the engine side with a garden hose
- Rinse off the air conditioner condenser
- Buff the plastic headlight assembly, if dull, to maintain good visibility
- Replace cabin air filter (you may need to do this more often, if you drive a lot—every 15,000 miles is a good rule of thumb. Older vehicles may not have cabin filters)
Every 30,000 Miles
- Replace the spark plugs. Some are designed to last up to 100,000 miles, so check to see what kind you have and when it will be due.
- 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 late 1970's to early 1990's)
- Inspect the shocks for leaks and perform 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
- Replace the fuel filter
Every 60,000 Miles
- Replace the air filter
- Change the automatic transmission fluid
- Inspect the brakes
- Inspect 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
- Inspect the U-joints
Every 100,000 Miles
- Replace the oxygen sensors (for vehicles manufactured after mid-1990's)
- Replace the rear axle lubricant
As-Needed Maintenance
- Have the alignment adjusted. This can help extend the life of your tires.
