A note for me to keep her running until 300,000 miles. Regular maintenance might seem like a chore, but it’s far less painful than unexpected breakdowns or costly repairs.
Maintaining your vehicle is the most important thing when it comes to longevity, performance, and safety. Regular maintenance prevents costly repairs, improves fuel efficiency, and maintains your car’s resale value.
Maintenance Milestones
Here’s a rule of thumb on the essential maintenance tasks by mileage and months:
Keep a Maintenance Log:
- Record all services performed on your car: This helps you stay on top of maintenance and can be valuable when selling.
Wash car, check all lights, and tire pressure monthly
Wax the car every 3 months, skip winter season.
Seasonal Maintenance:
- Prepare for winter with antifreeze checks, winter tires, and battery tests
- Prepare for summer with A/C system checks and coolant level inspections
Every 5,000 miles or 12 months:
- Oil and filter change: This is the lifeblood of your engine. Regular oil changes keep your engine running smoothly.
- Tire rotation: ensures even wear on all tires, extending their life.
- Brake inspection: Safety first! Regular brake checks prevent accidents and costly repairs.
- Fluid level checks: This includes coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and washer fluid.
- Battery inspection for corrosion
- Check windshield wipers
Every 10,000 miles or 24 months:
- Replace air filter: A clean air filter improves fuel efficiency and engine performance.
- Inspect drive belt: This belt powers multiple systems in your car. Early detection of wear can prevent breakdowns.
Every 30,000 miles or 36 months:
- Replace air cleaner element: This keeps your engine breathing easily.
- Inspect valve clearance: Proper valve clearance ensures optimal engine performance.
- Replace dust and pollen filter: Breathe easy with clean cabin air.
- Inspect and adjust drive belts: These belts are crucial for various car systems.
- Wheel alignment and suspension check
Every 40,000 miles or 48 months:
- Replace spark plugs: This improves fuel efficiency and ensures smooth engine operation.
Every 60,000 miles or 72 months:
- Replace transmission fluid: This keeps your transmission shifting smoothly.
- Replace rear differential fluid (4WD models): This ensures proper operation of your all-wheel drive system.
- fuel injectors cleaned: better fuel economy, smoother engine performance, and reduced emissions.
- Replace the serpentine belt, timing belt (if needed) and inspect the water pump: This is a critical maintenance task to prevent engine damage
- Inspect idle speed: Proper idle speed ensures smooth engine operation and fuel efficiency.
120,000 miles then every 2 years
- Replace coolant: This prevents corrosion and maintains proper engine temperature.
- Replace valve cover gasket: This prevents oil leaks.
Additional Maintenance Tips:
- Replace brake fluid every 3 years, regardless of mileage.
- Inspect brake hoses and lines every 2 years.
- Perform tire rotation with every oil change.
- Pay attention to your car. Unusual noises, vibrations, or changes in braking efficiency should be checked by a professional.
Remember, these are general guidelines and your specific driving conditions may require more frequent servicing. Your owner’s manual will have the most accurate information.
Happy driving!
Joe DiAndrea 