Vehicle Maintenance - A Schedule to Keep Your Car Running Tip Top

What kind of a driver are you? Are you the kind of driver that meticulously maintains her vehicle? At the exact mile, you’re taking it in for its oil change? Or are you the kind of person that drives your vehicle with bald tires and the muffler falling off?

If you’re the former, this podcast is for you. Learn and know what regular maintenance you need to do to your vehicle and when to do it. The proverbial saying: “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!” Meaning that if you don’t do a little here and there, you’re going to do “A LOT” all at once.

Oil changes and tire rotations are going to be the most frequent maintenance items you do to your vehicle. If you have an older vehicle, you’re going to change the engine oil every 3,000 miles (5,000km). If it’s a newer vehicle and it uses synthetic oil, you’re going to change the oil at the 5-to-8,000-mile (8-to-12,000km) mark. Tire rotations should be done every 6,000 miles (10,000km) for the longest life, and to validate the warranty.

Checking the fluid levels and the lights should be done every month. Ensure that the hi/lo beam headlights work, the parking lights, hazards and brake lights. At the same time, check the radiator, brake, power steering, washer, and transmission fluid levels. If you have a hydraulic clutch, check that too.

Depending on the brand of your vehicle and the manufacturers recommendations, you should change the fuel and engine air filters every 30-to-75,000 miles (40-to-80,000km). The air cabin filter should be changed every couple of years.

Brakes, tires, and spark plugs will depend on the use of your vehicle and the manufacturer’s recommendations. Tires can be checked monthly during your inspection. If the tread depth is down to the wear bars or there’s irregular wear these will need to be replaced. Brakes can be inspected by an automotive technician. Spark plugs, rotors and caps will be between 50-to-100,000 miles (75-to-120,000km) depending on manufacturer’s recommendations and the needs of your vehicle.

Timing belts replacement and automatic transmission flush and filter will be done around the 100,000-mile (160,000km) mark. Not all vehicles have timing belts. Check either your owner’s manual or with your automotive technician.

If maintained, most vehicles should go 200,000 miles (320,000km) without costing you a lot of money. As with life though, stuff happens and not all vehicles are created the same.

Happy motoring smart drivers.