-
Doing the right kinds of maintenance on your car will not only help it to hold its value, it will also help to keep it safe and reliable. Regular car maintenance involves a wide variety of projects that may not all be easy to do at home. However, by understanding what needs to be done to maintain your car, you can be better equipped to talk to your local service center about doing the work your car needs.
Maintenance of a Car: Essential Checklist
Check your oil level at least once a month and add oil as needed.
Replace your spark plugs every 30,000 miles.
Check your battery at least once every six months.
Drain and flush your coolant system once a year.
Change out your brake pads every 20,000 miles.
Replace any worn, damaged, or cracked belts and hoses.
Test and replace any blown-out lightbulbs
- Whether you have a new or old car, you should clean and protect it to prolong its life.
Most of these items can be done at home with common hand tools, or by your neighborhood auto service or auto repair facility.
Many service centers and auto mechanics will offer “tune-ups.” These aren’t always worth it. Ask for an itemized list of what work each shop will do during their tune-ups.
1look for application-specific needs in your owner’s manual. While many aspects of routine maintenance on your care are universal, there are some that may be specific to your car’s particular make, model, or year. Check in the owner’s manual for scheduled maintenance requirements to ensure you don’t miss any important ones.
Some cars need to have their timing belts replaced at specific mileage intervals. Otherwise, you risk doing damage to your cylinder head.
If you don’t have an owner’s manual, refer to the manufacturer’s website for further guidance.
2
Check your oil regularly. Oil is the lifeblood of your car's engine, so it's important to keep it clean and topped off. Check your oil level at least once a month, or more often if you drive frequently. To check your oil level, park your car on level ground and turn off the engine. Wait a few minutes for the oil to settle, then pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, reinsert it, and pull it out again. The oil level should be between the "full" and "add" marks on the dipstick. If it's low, add more oil as needed.
3.Check the fluid reservoirs in the engine bay and add more fluid when needed. Your engine bay has plastic reservoirs for brake fluid, engine coolant, windshield washer fluid, and power steering fluid. The lower line on the reservoir is the “fill” point. Any time you see the fluid drop below that line, add more until it’s back up to the higher line, which is the “full” point.[1]
Some vehicles have specific requirements for the type of coolant or brake fluid you use. Refer to your owner’s manual or an application specific repair manual to see what kind is right for your specific car.
To fill each reservoir, unscrew the cap and pour the fluid in until it reaches the “full” point as indicated on the side. Then screw the cap back on.
