The last thing on our minds is vehicle maintenance. We drive our cars and trucks on a daily basis, but we rarely want to think about repairing them. None of us like to take their car to the shop, but a little proactive maintenance can go a long way toward keeping vehicles on the road instead of the shoulder.
Remember to change your oil!
Oil is the lifeblood of your engine, and running on the same oil for too long can lead to problems that can be far worse than the cost of an oil change. Proper lubrication is absolutely essential to the health of your engine, so be sure to change your oil and oil filter frequently. Typically, you’ll want to change your oil every 3,000 miles.
First major overhaul: 15,000 miles
Your vehicle should have its first major service around the 15,000 mile mark, or after approximately 12 months of ownership. At this stage, the oil and oil filter will be changed, as well as the engine air filter and cabin air filter. Your windshield wiper blades will also likely need to be replaced at this time and every year thereafter. It is very important to remember these simple procedures as they must be performed at every major maintenance interval.
30,000 mile check
When you bring your vehicle in at 30,000 miles, all of the items listed above should be checked, along with a new fuel filter to keep it running smoothly. In addition, engine, transmission, and power steering coolant must also be replaced to ensure optimal operation, as these fluids can slowly break down over time and are less effective. The services performed in this review should be repeated every 30,000 miles.
The 45,000 mile mark
This checkup will be very similar to your initial 15,000 mile service, including basics like an oil change and new oil filter, but this service is primarily to address your vehicle’s ignition system. Spark plugs are often neglected by many motorists, but they are essential to the smooth running and overall health of the engine. Not replacing the spark plugs after about 3 years can lead to undesirable behavior from your engine, such as misfires, and possibly something more serious, such as dead cylinders. At this point, you’ll also want to replace your vehicle’s brake fluid, and the brake pads and rotors should also be checked and replaced as needed.
60,000 miles of service
At 60,000 miles, the 30,000 mile service should be repeated, in addition to checking a very important component: the timing belt. The timing belt regulates critical internal engine components like valves and cams and can cause catastrophic damage to an engine if it breaks, so be sure to check this item over and over again. Over time, the engine battery will lose some of its charge. To help prevent the possibility of ending up stuck in a parking lot, it’s a good idea to equip your vehicle with a new battery at around 60,000 miles or around 4 years, or sooner if you notice problems. After 3 or 4 years, a battery’s ability to hold a charge becomes questionable, and there is very little warning when it finally decides to fail, so an old battery should be replaced immediately.
Regular and proactive vehicle maintenance is certainly an inconvenience, however by following this guide you can easily remember what your vehicle needs and anticipate what services it will need in advance. Regular maintenance not only results in a more enjoyable driving experience for you, but keeping your vehicle’s internal parts in top shape can lead to higher resale value if it comes time to sell it.
