Preventive maintenance is the key to making your vehicle last as long as possible.
Think of it like getting a check-up at the doctor, eating correctly, and taking action when the signs point to a potential problem.
Any way you slice it, cars are expensive, but they can be more expensive if you don’t maintain them properly. Spend the money now to take care of your vehicle, and don’t pay the extra price later.
We’ve put together a list of preventive maintenance items you need to know in order to keep your vehicle a little longer than everyone else.
And, even these things can be less expensive if you can do them yourself. Things like changing your oil, replacing brake pads, or changing a filter can greatly reduce the cost and inconvenience of scheduling an appointment and taking your vehicle to a shop.
Before we begin, a few disclaimers are in order:
This list is by no means comprehensive. It’s large but there just isn’t a way that we could cover everything you could do for your vehicle since every single one is different and has different parts.
And speaking of different vehicles… Even if you have two from the same manufacturer, they are different. The owner’s manual trumps anything the internet says, and best of all, your warranty has no chance of being voided if you use the correct part, fluid, or procedure.
Always refer to the owner’s manual!
Finally, because vehicles do vary so much, even the same car from five years ago might require completely different preventive maintenance techniques than the one you have today. Improvements in technology have vastly changed the newest vehicles on the road from those that were new just a few years ago.
With all that being said, we will do our best to present you with the largest amount of information when it comes to preventive maintenance and what you can potentially expect to get the most out of your car or truck.
Changing the Engine Oil:
Changing your vehicle’s oil is one of the most well-known and easiest preventive maintenance measures you can take. Most people are at least aware that oil changes need to happen, but improvements in both oil composition and engines have decreased the frequency at which oil changes take place.
Generally speaking, older vehicles and those driven hard will require more frequent changes. The best oils used in the most technologically advanced vehicles under the most ideal conditions claim up to 15,000 miles of use. 5000-7500 miles between changes is much more common.
Frequency: Every 3000-10,000 miles
Changing the Coolant:
Coolant does exactly what it sounds like it does: It circulates through the engine, preventing it from overheating. Like any other fluid, it gets dirty and needs changing. Coolant changes are also fairly common and known preventive maintenance measures.
The intervals at which coolant needs to be changed is much more varied according to the type of vehicle you have.
Frequency: Every 30,000-100,000 miles
Changing the Transmission Fluid:
Transmission fluid changes vary greatly from vehicle to vehicle and depends on what each person uses their vehicle for.
Towing, stop-and-go driving, and extreme climates necessitate more frequent changes, while some of the newest vehicles come with “lifelong” transmission fluid that isn’t supposed to be changed.
Frequency: Every 30,000 miles to never
Changing the Power Steering Fluid:
Some people probably don’t even know that power steering fluid exists, not to mention how, when, or why it needs to be changed in the first place.
It is yet another preventive maintenance measure that shouldn’t be overlooked. Again, depending on your vehicle, power steering fluid will need to be changed every 30,000 to 100,000 miles. Total loss of power steering could result if not changed in a long time.
Frequency: Every 30,000-100,000 miles
Changing the Differential Fluid:
Similar to transmission fluid, differential fluid is a rather important preventive maintenance measure for a rear or four/all-wheel drive vehicle. An entire axle replacement is not cheap if it gets to that point.
Differentials are a set of gears that transmit rotational movement of the engine and transmission to the wheels. You can probably guess what would happen if the fluid isn’t changed regularly.
Frequency: Every 30,000-60,000 miles
Changing the Transfer Case Fluid:
Transfer case fluid is similar to differential fluid and is found in vehicles with four-wheel drive. Similarly to a differential, they transmit power to all four wheels but send the power to two driveshafts which are then connected to two actual differentials.
Most four-wheel drive systems can be turned off, though this isn’t always the case. The transfer case contains a set of gears just like the transmission and differentials and need to be lubricated to function properly.
Frequency: Every 30,000 miles
Changing the Brake Fluid:
We all know how important brakes are. Brake fluid is what gives brakes their ability to clamp down on the rotor and stop our vehicles. No fluid means big time trouble. And, that is why brake fluid changes are so important.
This is a major preventive maintenance measure that should be taken seriously. Brake fluid change intervals vary greatly depending on the vehicle.
Frequency: Varies
Changing the Brake Pads:
Brake pads form a barrier between the brake rotor and brake caliper. They prevent that awful squeaking we hear on the road sometimes from other people whose brake pads need to be replaced.
Even though your brakes without pads might technically be able to stop your vehicle, not having brake pads could cost you a whole new brake assembly. Damage from metal to metal contact could easily damage a host of components involved with stopping your vehicle.
Frequency: Every 25,000-75,000 miles
Changing the Battery:
You’ve probably had a dead battery before at some point in your life. That’s usually when most people decide it’s time to get a new battery. Unfortunately, that also means that you’ve let it go for too long.
To avoid a jumpstart or leaving your car in an abandoned parking lot at the most inconvenient time possible, change your battery every 2-4 years, depending on the battery.
Frequency: Every 2-4 years
Changing the Timing Belt:
A timing belt is vital to every engine running and most engines’ survival. It serves to keep the valves and pistons in time with each other and prevents them from contacting each other. If the timing belt breaks, the valves and pistons can contact each other, bending the valves and causing catastrophic engine damage.
Without going into too much detail, many cars have replaced belts with chains, which are more durable. Even chains can break or wear out sometimes, but generally speaking, if your vehicle has a timing belt, it will need to be changed or checked at the 100,000 mile mark.
Frequency: 100,000 miles
Changing the Serpentine Belt:
The serpentine belt is not quite as vital as a timing belt, but it does power many important systems in your vehicle like the alternator, power steering pump, and air conditioning, among others.
A broken serpentine belt might not prevent your vehicle from moving forward or cause major engine damage, but it could cause your vehicle to abruptly lose some power and eventually lose all power as the alternator is affected. Inspect the serpentine belt for wear and damage regularly after 60,000 miles.
Frequency: Every 60,000-100,000 miles
Changing the Spark Plugs:
Spark plugs are another top tier component of your vehicle that needs to be replaced every once in a while. Without them, there can be no spark in your engine, and therefore, no combustion.
Depending on the type of spark plug you get, they are reported to for up to 100,000 miles, but we don’t recommend letting them go that long.
Frequency: Every 30,000-60,000 miles
Flushing the Injection System:
Injections system flushes are one preventive maintenance measure that can be done as needed rather than consistently performing them at regular intervals. There is no harm in doing this at regular intervals, and every little bit of maintenance will definitely help your engine run smoother and last longer.
Frequency: Every 60,000 miles – as needed/desired
Changing the Cabin Air Filter:
The cabin air filter is that foamy accordion-like thing that the Jiffy Lube guys bring you when they are doing an oil change on your vehicle. It may not always need to be replaced every time they bring it to you, but if it gets dirty, it probably should be.
You don’t want to breathe in the dust, dirt, and pollen you drive through, and that is exactly what the cabin air filter works to prevent. It won’t work if it’s clogged, though. You can usually buy a replacement at your local auto parts store for under $20.
Frequency: Every 6 months – 25,000 miles or as needed
Changing the Engine Air Filter:
The engine air filter is similar to the cabin air filter, but instead of filtering the air that comes into your vehicle, it filters the air that flows through your engine.
A reduced flow of air to your engine will prevent it from running well. A terribly clogged filter could even cause your engine to stall. Replacing it is super easy, and all it takes is a brief inspection here and there to make sure it’s clean of excessive debris.
Frequency: Every 15,000-30,000 miles
Washing your Vehicle:
When it comes to things your vehicle absolutely needs to stay running, a car wash isn’t normally on the list.
Rather, washing your vehicle regularly could protect and seal your paint better than if you never washed it. A new paint job usually costs several thousand dollars, so running through the automatic wash every once in a while shouldn’t be that bad.
Frequency: As needed
Replacing the Tires:
Regardless of how new or old your vehicle is, it is guaranteed that you will need to buy new tires at least once or twice before you get rid of it… that is unless you get rid of it after only about 10,000 miles.
Sports and racing tires have a shorter life because they are made of softer rubber. Regular road tires could last up to 60,000 miles or more. Make sure you check them regularly. Any damage, deformation, or wear could cause a severe accident, and you won’t pass your state’s safety inspection on tires that are excessively worn.
Frequency: As needed: Usually between 15,000 and 60,000 miles
Rotating/Balancing the Tires/Getting an Alignment:
After you get those new tires or after having your current ones for a while, you should think about getting them balanced and having an alignment done.
Balancing and aligning your new tires will allow them to last longer while rotating your tires reduces excessive wear on one or more specific tires. Even cheap tires can cost $60 each, so you want to make sure you get your money’s worth.
Frequency: As needed or whenever new tires are mounted
Changing the Windshield Wipers:
It doesn’t take too much to notice when your windshield wipers stop wiping and start scraping or streaking your windshield. They are one of the cheapest things you can get for your vehicle, but they make all the difference.
Frequency: As needed
There are so many different preventive maintenance measures you could take to keep your vehicle running as long as possible that it can be quite overwhelming to remember. All of these things could also add up pretty quickly in the cost department.
Rest assured that the more preventive maintenance measures you take, it could actually save you money down the road, even if it costs a little bit now.
This is by no means a comprehensive list of every single thing you could do for your vehicle. Every vehicle is different, and there are a lot of vehicles that have additional components which might need special care that we didn’t even talk about.
Know the basic needs of your vehicle. All it takes is a brief glance inside the owner’s manual, and you will be off to a great start.
