What’s a Good Maintenance Schedule for your Car?

Recommended Car Maintenance Schedule

Vehicles are such an essential part of our daily life, and that’s why keeping them in good condition is of great importance. But as we all know, maintenance always comes with a cost, and over time, it could be double for a repair if you don’t maintain your car properly. Ignoring car maintenance could get the maintenance cost from $100 to $1,000, and even more, depending upon the condition.
But don’t worry, we will help with putting together a maintenance schedule to follow:

Weekly Checks

Windshield wipers:

Keeping your windscreen crystal clear is necessary to drive like a pro. For that, it’s necessary to keep checking windshield wipers for regular maintenance. If they are not working properly, it’s a must to replace them with the new ones, made of high-quality material.

Windshield wiper fluid:

You don’t want to realize you’ve run out of wiper fluid when you need it. It’s always recommended to check wiper fluid every week so that you can guarantee at least half-full to enjoy your drive.

Tires:

Out of order tire could raise big trouble for you. Always check for punctures, gashes, bulges, or scuffs to ensure your car drive on the perfect tires. Regular maintenance ensures the tread is not bare or other issues that can affect the tire’s performance.

Brake lights and headlights:

Regularly check the headlights and brake lights of your car. If you want to check the brake lights, simply back up to any wall, press and hold the footbrake, and you can then use the side-view mirror to see both brake lights.

Tire pressure:

Tire pressure could drastically decrease if you drive a car constantly. It’s necessary to check the tire pressure at least once a week to ensure they are inflated properly.

Bumper Damage:

Getting minor scratches and a couple of bumps is normal with day-to-day use, especially while driving through congested areas. So the best option is to check for them once a week or take a quick walk around your vehicle to inspect any damages. Prior inspection is far better than paying thousands of dollars on repair.

Dashboard Warning Lights:

Always check the dashboard for warning lights. If any light pops up, then check for the manual for further information about any lights that come on.

Fluids Leakage underneath the Car:

Sometimes fluid leakage could be happening underneath the vehicle. You can use a flashlight to check the vehicle for power-steering fluid, coolant transmission fluid, brake fluid, and anything that has even a minor chance of leaking.

Oil Level:

You should keep changing the oil to let the vehicle work to its maximum. It’s recommended to change the oil after every 2,000 to 6,000 miles. If you drive often, this can add up rather fast, so the best option is to keep checking the level every week.

The best method to check the vehicle’s oil level is to ensure the engine has properly cooled down. Then, you can take the dipstick out and simply wipe it off with a rag. You can put the dipstick back and check the oil level.

Every 3,000 Miles

Oil Change:

Always keep an oil change schedule as a priority for maintenance. It’s always recommended to change the oil somewhere around every 2,000 to 3,000 miles. It is necessary to keep the engine oil clean to enjoy a smooth ride for a longer period. Although you can stretch the oil a bit further, it’s best to get it scheduled for a change.

Check Belts and Hoses:

Car belts help to keep the vehicle on the road. So it’s always best to check belts and hoses for wear to see if they need to be replaced. If you find hoses a bit brittle or worn, then always get the new ones on time. If the car’s belts are badly worn, then it’s time to get them replaced.

Brake Pads, Rotors, and Fluid:

Some other important things to consider while conducting maintenance inspection are brake pads, fluid, and rotors. Your brake pads could easily get worn out due to excessive usage, and an inefficient braking system could get you in serious trouble.

Similarly, while changing engine oil, always look at pads, rotors, and fluids for efficient working.

Air Filter:

The air filter works best to keep the harmful substances from getting into the vehicle’s engine. It can easily get dirty with particles from the atmosphere that can get into the engine and clogged it. So it’s required to conduct regular checkups.

Every 6,000 Miles

Tire rotation:

Tires can be worn quickly with excessive use over rough surfaces. But the front tires usually get worn down quicker as compared to the back ones. So it’s necessary to get them rotated frequently to avoid the need for replacement.

Spark plugs & wires:

Always ensure that vehicles’ spark plugs & wires are in proper condition to get your car started without any problem. These are required to be changed every 30,000 miles or so. Before that, it’s unlikely you’d find any problem.

Replace cabin air filter:

It’s important to keep the car’s cabin air filter clean and in good condition to enjoy a comfortable ride. Many vehicle models make the cabin air filter easily accessible, and replacing it can be pretty easy. Although it’s not that much a critical aspect of a vehicle, it still plays a vital role in making the overall drive super comfortable. This is something you can do on your own. Keep your eye on it to replace it when needed.

Windshield Wipers:

Clean and working windshield wipers help you to get a transparent view of a road, and it’s something you cannot afford to drive without. You should change out your windshield wipers as soon as you notice a problem with them.

Every 15,000 Miles

Get a reliable mechanic:

Here at 15,000 miles, it’s crucial to get your vehicle proper maintenance, check for battery, timing belt, serpentine, and wheel alignment. For all these tasks, always look for a reliable mechanic with a great work history for a full inspection to avoid spending thousands of dollars on repairs.

So this is everything you may need to learn about the car maintenance schedule to keep your car working properly. Never neglect or delay car maintenance, as your little negligence could get you a big repair bill.