30 Car Maintenance Tasks (and Suggested Intervals)

Recommendation: Every 3,000 to 7,500 miles or as advised by the manufacturer.

If your vehicle is new, conventional motor oil is typically fine unless your vehicle's manufacturer specifically recommends a certain oil type. As your vehicle ages, special blends will help extend the engine’s life, including full synthetics.

Recommendation: Check monthly (when tires are cold).

Don’t forget to check the spare so it's ready to be used when you need it. The correct PSI will be listed in your owner's manual or on a sticker inside the driver's door jamb.

Recommendation: Every 6,000 to 8,000 miles.

Extend tire life by rotating on schedule to distribute wear evenly. Unusual changes may mean a front-end alignment or other suspension adjustment is warranted.

Recommendation: Check monthly or before long trips.

Adequate tread depth helps to maintain traction on the road, especially in wet or slippery conditions, while worn tread can lead to decreased handling, longer stopping distances, and an increased risk of hydroplaning or skidding.

If you need new tires, check out our tire brand recommendations.

Recommendation: Check every 10,000 miles and replace if necessary.

Signs of worn brake pads include grinding, squeaking, vibration when braking, and taking longer to stop.

Recommendation: Inspect every 15,000 miles and replace every 3-5 years.

Be aware that extreme weather conditions may reduce this lifespan. Most car batteries today don't require any water addition, qualifying as maintenance-free. However, cleaning corrosion off battery posts and terminals and securing the connections can prevent unexpected breakdowns.

To assess battery health, use a multimeter. A reading between 12.2 and 12.6 volts signifies a full charge.

Recommendation: Replace every 15,000 to 30,000 miles or as required.

A dirty or clogged filter will restrict airflow and can impact performance and reduce fuel efficiency. The replacement process is typically very easy making this as DIY task for almost anyone.

Recommendation: Replace every 15,000 to 25,000 miles or once a year, whichever comes first.

Ensure clean cabin air by changing this filter with regularity. In some cases, you can simply clean it if larger debris are clogging it up. The cabin air filter is typically found behind the glove box in most vehicles.

Those with severe allergies may see benefit in replacing the filter earlier than the recommended interval.

Recommendation: Replace every 30,000 to 100,000 miles, or as directed by your car's manufacturer.

It's worth considering Iridium spark plugs due to their robust metal composition compared to copper or platinum variants, leading to a slower wear rate.

Recommendation: Check every 20,000 miles; replace every 1-2 years.

Noisy brakes, including vibration, and fluid discoloration are all signs that your brake fluid needs to be changed.

Recommendation: Check every 30,000 miles; replace as needed.

If you have difficulty turning the steering wheel, you may be low on power steering fluid, perhaps due to a leak.

Recommendation: Check every 30,000 miles; replace every 2-3 years.

Oddly sweet odors coming from under the hood indicate coolant problems. Also, if the car over heats or heater malfunctions, check the coolant level and its condition.

Recommendation: Change every 60,000 to 100,000 miles or as advised by the manufacturer.

Typically, good transmission fluid is either clear or bright red. Once it turns deep red or brown, it must be changed.

Recommendation: Check every 50,000 miles; replace every 60,000 to 100,000 miles.

Fraying, cracking, loosening, and squealing are signs that the serpentine belt needs replacement.

Recommendation: Check every 60,000 miles; replace every 60,000 to 100,000 miles or as advised by the manufacturer.

If your vehicle uses a timing belt (some use a timing chain), it's imperative that it is in good operating condition. Timing belt failure is often because of age and has the potential to cause catastrophic engine damage. Always get your timing belt replaced at the recommended interval or when if you notice it becoming worn, stretched, or damaged.

Recommendation: Check monthly; top off as needed.

For extreme cold, consider a special de-icer blend to keep it flowing all season long.

Recommendation: Replace every 6-12 months or as needed (ie: when they get squeaky or skip).

A good rule of thumb is to change wiper blades in the spring and again in the fall, between weather extremes when blades are subject to much wear.

Recommendation: Check monthly; replace as needed.

Replace bulbs in pairs, even if only one has burnt out. You’ll be glad that you did.

Recommendation: Check annually for leaks, damage, or malfunction.

May require placing the vehicle on a lift for close inspection.

Recommendation: Check every 50,000 miles; replace if necessary.

If the nose dives while braking, the vehicle sways while cornering, or you’re experiencing uneven tire wear, the struts or shocks may be worn.

Recommendation: Check every 30,000 miles; replace if damaged.

Commonly found in front-wheel-drive cars and electric vehicles. Found in some rear-wheel-drive models. You'll notice certain symptoms with CV joint failure.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.