30 Car Maintenance Tasks (and Suggested Intervals)
Owning a car is much more than the first purchase; it covers insurance, registration, potential property taxes, and most importantly, maintenance.
Maintenance includes elements such as oil changes, tire rotations, brake inspections, and filter replacements. Following your vehicle’s owner’s manual will help you perform approximately 30 different auto maintenance items at the specified intervals, but keep in mind that these items may vary depending on your vehicle and driving habits. .
While our list may not cover all maintenance tasks, it covers most of the maintenance tasks that a vehicle owner may encounter throughout the life of the vehicle.
The most common car repairs
1) Change the oil
Recommendation: Every 3,000 to 7,500 miles or as recommended by the manufacturer.
If your car is new, regular motor oil is still fine, as long as your car manufacturer recommends a different type of oil. As your vehicle ages, special blends, including full synthetic gaskets, will help extend the life of your engine.
2) Ice pressure
Recommendation: Check once a month (when tires get cold).
Don’t forget to check the spare parts so they are available when needed. The correct PSI is listed in your owner’s manual or on a sticker in the driver’s door frame.
3) Tire rotation
Recommendation: Every 6,000 to 8,000 miles.
Extend the life of your tires by rotating them regularly to distribute wear evenly. Other changes may include the need for a front end sight or other suspension adjustments.
4) Tire (step depth)
Recommendation: Check once a month or before a long trip.
The tread depth helps keep the tread on the road, especially in wet or slippery conditions, but a worn tread can result in less control, longer treads and finally, the risk of dehydration increases. If you need new tires, check out our brands.
5) Leather boards
Recommendation: Inspect every 10,000 miles and replace if necessary.
Symptoms of brake pads include squealing, squealing, vibration, and stalling during wear.
6) Battery
Recommendation: Inspect every 15,000 miles and replace every 3-5 years.
Remember that weather conditions can shorten its life. Today, most car batteries do not need to be topped up and are maintenance-free. However, cleaning corrosion from battery posts and terminals and maintaining connections can prevent accidents.
To assess battery health, use a multimeter. A reading between 12.2 and 12.6 volts indicates a full charge.
7) Engine air filter
Recommendation: Replace every 15,000 to 30,000 miles or as needed.
A dirty or clogged filter can block air flow, affecting performance and reducing fuel efficiency. The replacement process is simple enough that anyone can do it themselves.
8) Cabin air filter
Recommendation: Replace every 15,000 to 25,000 miles or annually, whichever comes first.
Change this filter from time to time to keep the room well ventilated. In some cases, you may be able to simply clean it if there is more debris blocking it. On most vehicles, the air filter is located behind the glove box. Those who suffer from severe allergies may find it useful to replace the filter earlier than the specified time.
9) Spark plugs
Recommendation: Replace every 30,000 to 100,000 miles or as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.
Iridium spark plugs are better thought of because the metal is stronger and wears out more slowly than copper or platinum.
10) French fries
Recommendations: Check every 20,000 miles; replace every 1-2 years.
Cracking noise (including vibration) and changes in the color of the brake fluid are signs that the brake fluid needs to be replaced.
11) Power steering oil
Recommendations: Check every 30,000 miles; replace when necessary.
If you have trouble turning the steering wheel, the power steering fluid may be low due to a leak.
12) Cooling
Recommendations: Check every 30,000 miles; replace every 2-3 years.
A strange, musty odor coming from under the hood can indicate a cooling problem. Also, if the car is running hot or the heater is not working, check the heater level and condition.
13) Supply water
Recommendation: Replace every 60,000 to 100,000 miles or as recommended by the manufacturer.
Most of the time the best discharge water is clear or bright red. If the color has changed to dark red or brown, replace it.
14) Snake Belt
Recommendations: Check every 50,000 miles; replace every 60,000 to 100,000 miles.
Wear, cracks, loosening, and curling are all signs that your serpentine belt needs to be replaced.
15) Belt wire
Recommendations: Check every 60,000 miles; replace every 60,000 to 100,000 miles or as recommended by the manufacturer.
If your vehicle uses a timing belt (some also use a timing chain), it should run smoothly. Timing belt failure is often age-related and can cause engine damage. Be sure to replace your timing belt at the specified intervals or you will notice wear, stretching, or damage to the belt. 16) Window cleaner
Recommendation: Check monthly refills as needed.
For very cold conditions, consider using a special deicing compound to keep it running for a long time.
17) Windshield wipers
Recommendation: Replace every 6-12 months or as needed (ie: if curled or bumped).
A good practice is to replace the wiper blades in the spring and fall, as they can show significant wear during extreme weather conditions.
18) Lights (headlights, tail lights, street lights)
Recommendation: Check monthly; replace as needed.
Replace the bulbs in pairs, even if only one is burned out. You’ll be glad you did.
19) Exhaust system
Recommendation: Inspect for leaks, damage, or defects annually.
The vehicle may need to be placed on a lift for further inspection.
20) Defenders and defenders
Recommendations: Check every 50,000 miles; replace if necessary.
If the front of the car sags when it vibrates, the car vibrates at a corner, or the tires seize, the front shocks seize, and the vibration takes hold.
21) Global cluster / fast moving dust dump
Recommendations: Check every 30,000 miles; replace if damaged.
It can be found in both traditional and electric vehicles. Found on some rear-wheel drive models. You will see some signs of a weak CV joint.
22) Fuel Filter
Recommendation: Replace every 20,000 to 40,000 miles or as advised by the manufacturer.
Hard starting, stalling, occasional misfiring, rough idle, and poor engine performance indicate a bad fuel filter.
23) Brake Rotors/Discs
Recommendation: Check every 10,000 miles; replace if necessary.
Noisy brakes, vibrations, groove marks on the rotors, and extended stopping distances are all signs of problems with your brakes.
24) Wheel Alignment
Recommendation: Check every 10,000 to 20,000 miles or if steering issues noticed.
You can have this done at the same time as the tire rotation but expect to pay quite a bit more for alignment.
25) Suspension
Recommendation: Check annually or if ride quality decreases.
Take note of leaking around the shocks and struts for trouble signs. Also, excess tire wear, a shaky steering wheel, clunking noises, and a bouncing car are additional signs of concern.
26) Differential Fluid
Recommendation: Change every 30,000 to 60,000 miles or as advised by the manufacturer.
Also known as gear oil, differential oil is in the axle housing. Therefore, it is an easily overlooked maintenance item.
27) HVAC System
Recommendation: Check annually, especially before summer and winter seasons.
For the summer months, replenishing refrigerant (R-134a or R-1234yf) and inspecting for leaks should ensure months of cool cabin driving. In colder months, a lack of heat in the cabin could be due to low coolant, a thermostat that’s stuck open, or a blocked heater core.
28) Radiator
Recommendation: Inspect annually; clean/flush every 30,000 to 50,000 miles.
This is a job you can handle yourself with a pre-mixed coolant and radiator cleaner utilized. Keep in mind, though, you’ll need to recycle the old coolant.
29) Hoses
Recommendation: Check every 30,000 miles; replace every 4-5 years.
Neglecting this task may lead to engine overheating. Warning signs such as bulging, cracking, a fluid pool beneath your parked car, moisture spots on the hose exterior, or minor coolant drips around the engine bay indicate a potential issue and shouldn’t be ignored.
30) Underbody Wash
If you regularly wash your vehicle, the underside may not receive the proper attention. At least once annually or more often if you live near the ocean, in an area that uses road salt, or if you take your vehicle off-road, use a pressure washer to wash and unclog the drains underneath. This prevents rust and may extend the life of the vehicle.
Car Care Considerations
Being proactive with these 30 essential car care maintenance checks can greatly extend your vehicle’s lifespan and boost its performance.