The Car Maintenance Schedule You Should Follow

It is easiest to talk in general terms in this blog post, but different cars have varying maintenance needs based on their make and model, as well as a number of other external factors. Let’s start by looking at these in closer detail.

Different Car Maintenance Needs

All cars come with their own regular vehicle maintenance schedules as detailed by the manufacturer. But there are also some vehicles that require you to undertake what it known as a ‘severe’ maintenance schedule to keep your car in good working order. There are several different reasons why this more extensive schedule would need to be followed. It could be to do with climate – if you live in an area with high humidity or a place which experiences very cold or hot conditions on a regular basis. Or perhaps you drive in an area which is very dusty, increasing the risk that parts of your car will get clogged up. If you drive your car regularly for a living, this means that more severe maintenance could be needed. Conversely, if you only take short stop-start trips, this could also negatively impact your car.

One of the most common reasons why your car would need a high maintenance schedule is if you have reached over 100,000 miles on the clock. At this stage, it is much more likely that something is going to go wrong. You should be checking your engine every 3,000 miles rather than 5,000 to 7,000. And you should direct your mechanic to check everything more extensively. If you haven’t replaced the timing belt, this is your opportunity to do so.

Your own driving style can also have an impact on how often maintenance needs to be undertaken. Aggressive driving tends to make everything wear out quicker, so it pays to be a more conservative driver.

Car Maintenance Schedule

Now, we will look at a general schedule of the steps of auto maintenance that you can follow to properly take care of your vehicle.

• Regular Maintenance

These are the tasks that you need to take care of on a regular basis – regardless of how old your car is. Neglecting these can lead to consequences that range from the minor to the more severe.

• Oil and Oil Filter

The oil in your car and the oil filter need to be checked regularly and replaced as necessary. As the engine runs, it will end up getting contaminated by dirt and debris, which can cause strain. Non-synthetic oil should be replaced every 3,000 miles, but many modern motors run on synthetic oil, which should last in the region of 5,000 and 10,000 miles.

• Tire Pressure

If the tire pressure is incorrect on your vehicle, it can lead to them wearing unevenly, poor mileage or even a tire blowout. You should get into the good habit of checking the tire pressure each and every time you fill up for gas. It is a simple enough task that just takes a couple of minutes. Check the owner’s manual or the side of your car door for the correct pressure. You will need to adjust this if you are carrying more weight in the vehicle. You should be especially vigilant during the changing seasons as pressure can cary more significantly during warmer and colder weather. If you want to check from the comfort of your own home, you could invest in your own tire pressure monitor.

• Other Tasks

Some of the other tasks that you need to undertake regularly include cleaning the inside and outside of the vehicle, checking all the lights around the car to ensure that they are still working properly, and replacing the windscreen washer fluid as needed.

Maintenance Prior to 30,000 Miles

While it may seem like your vehicle is so new at this time that nothing can go wrong, there are still some maintenance tasks that are worth undertaking.

• Air Filter

When the air filter of your vehicle gets clogged up, it makes it more difficult for your engine to breathe, thereby reducing its performance levels. If you drive in a dustier environment, it is more likely that air filter is going to get clogged up. You should get into a habit of checking the filter between 15,000 and 30,000 miles.

• Fuel Filter

If the fuel filter is not running smoothly, the engine is likely to be negatively affected – and it may even not run at all in more serious situations. A mechanic is the best person who can determine whether or not it is time for a change. While you may not need to change the fuel filter before 30,000 miles, it is still worth being on top of the problem in case you do.

Maintenance Prior to 60,000 Miles

Your car is still relatively young at this stage, but the potential problems also begin to mount up. It is worth keeping on top of one or two further jobs to prevent issues in the near future.

• Battery

Most car batteries last around 4 or 5 years, which makes 60,000 miles about right. Obviously, this is a central piece of equipment for your car and there are all sorts of things that can go wrong. Sometimes, they have had to endure extremes of temperature. On other occasions, they haven’t been used for a long time. And it may simply be a matter of old age. Whatever the case, you are going to need to replace your car battery if you own your car for long enough.

• Transmission Fluid

When transmission fluid levels drop, this can lead to gear shifting issues. You should monitor levels closely if you can. Some cars have dipsticks that allow you to do this, while others signal that there is something wrong with the ‘check engine’ light. Manual transmissions require their fluid changing roughly every 30,000 to 60,000 miles, while automatic transmissions have fluid that can last as long as 100,000 miles.

• Brake Fluid 

Another fluid that needs close monitoring is the brake fluid. Over time, you will need to bleed the brake system of the old fluid and replace it with new stuff. Check your owner’s manual for information on how often you need to do this. Other issues things relating to the brakes that may need changing over time include the rotors and pads.

Maintenance Prior to 90,000 Miles

This is the time when your car approaches the 100,000 mile mark, which is when you need to undertake maintenance more regularly. Here are one or two of the other things to watch out for at this stage.

• Spark Plugs

There are a couple of indicators that tell you that it is time for the spark plugs to be replaced. It could be that the ‘check engine’ light has illuminated on your dashboard – or it may be a case of hard starting or rough running. The age of your car will have an impact here. Newer vehicles often use iridium or titanium spark plugs which can last for as long as 100,000 miles. However, the lower quality spark plugs may only last around 30,000 miles.

• Power Steering Fluid

Another fluid that will deplete over time is the power steering fluid. You are likely to notice more trouble turning the wheel or a noise when you are steering. Take 75,000 miles as a guideline, but you may just need to keep on top of any warning signs as they arise.

Final Thoughts 

Bear in mind that the advice listed in this article just offers some rough guidelines as to when you need to repair or replace certain parts of your car. Some parts of your car are supposed to wear out, whereas others are simply supposed to be maintained properly. You can avert expensive repair work and keep your car running longer with a few simple actions. Teaching yourself basic car maintenance shouldn’t be too much trouble, and this simply needs to be coupled with keeping vigilant and on top of any issues warning signs that your vehicle shows.