Car Maintenance Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Auto Maintenance Quick Tips

Routine car maintenance is essential for the safety, reliability, and protection of your investment, and it helps prevent expensive repairs and preserves your vehicle’s value.
Follow maintenance schedules for routine inspections, fluid checks, part replacements, and addressing warning signs promptly to avoid bigger problems down the road.
Electric vehicles require less frequent maintenance than gas-powered cars, but still need regular checks of tires, brakes, and battery systems to ensure safe and efficient operation.

Car maintenance is a crucial part of vehicle ownership. Taking care of your car by performing preventative maintenance helps ensure you have safe and reliable transportation.

Use this guide to learn about common automotive maintenance issues. It’ll help protect your investment and keep your car running well.

The Importance of Car Maintenance
How Often Should You Take Your Car in for an Inspection?
Car Maintenance Costs
Signs My Car Needs Maintenance Done
Car Maintenance Checklist
Where to Find an Auto Repair Shop
Service Immediately
Monthly Checkup
3-Month Checkup
6-Month Checkup
Annual Checkup
2-Year Checkup
Long-Term Checkup
EV Maintenance

The Importance of Car Maintenance

When you perform car maintenance at regular intervals, it keeps your ride in proper working order and helps prevent expensive mechanical repairs down the road. Keeping or having detailed service records can help boost the vehicle’s value when it’s time to sell or trade in.

Vehicle maintenance requires some investment of time and money, but taking care of your car can help you avoid major repair costs following a roadside breakdown. We make getting maintenance pricing for your vehicle easy, so you’ll know how much you can expect to pay in your area.

Also, know that failing to follow preventative auto maintenance guidelines could void the vehicle’s warranty.

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Scheduled maintenance checkups address a vehicle’s fluid levels for brake and power steering systems, radiator coolant, and engine oil. Other items with significant safety purposes, such as brake pads and windshield wipers, should be checked routinely and replaced when necessary to keep them operating effectively.

Automobile engines are complex machines containing many interconnected parts. Proper mechanical maintenance, including replacing spark plugs, drive belts, timing belts or chains, and air and fluid filters, is needed to identify problems and keep the engine running as it should.

How Often Should You Take Your Car in for an Inspection?

Always follow the manufacturer’s maintenance recommendations in your vehicle’s owner’s manual. At the least, you should have your car inspected by a qualified mechanic every 12 months to look for problems. Please note that many vehicle manufacturers have replaced the familiar printed owner’s manual with an online version available through the manufacturer’s website.

Some states require inspections for all cars or smog checks for registration renewal, depending on the county you live in and the age of your vehicle. These emissions and safety inspections evaluate only vehicle exhaust or essential safety criteria rather than a full mechanical inspection of the car’s health.

Changing your car’s oil at a repair shop or dealership usually includes a multipoint inspection to check fluid levels, filters, and other components. In previous decades, a rule of thumb was to change a car’s oil every 3,000 miles. Since 2010, many vehicles have used synthetic oil that can go up to 10,000 miles between changes.

Manufacturers outline auto maintenance requirements such as oil changes and tire rotation. They also recommend inspection schedules or parts replacement when the odometer reaches 30,000 miles, 60,000 miles, and 90,000 miles, for example. Again, refer to the owner’s manual for your vehicle’s maintenance schedule.

How Much Does Car Maintenance Cost?

To help you determine the costs of maintaining various vehicles, refer to our 5-year Cost to Own pages. The charts break out the average maintenance costs for vehicles over five years. Divide the figure by five to get the average annual cost for that make and model. Consider upkeep and maintenance costs when shopping for a new car.

Car maintenance costs vary depending on where you live and the year, make, and model of the car you drive. Use our Car Maintenance Pricing tool to find fair price ranges for specific services and repairs for your vehicle at service centers near you. Regional price variations of 5% or more exist, primarily due to differences in labor costs.

For example, Kelley Blue Book data indicates a driver in suburban Atlanta can reasonably expect to pay between $99 and $128 to have the oil changed in their 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. An owner of the same model in Dunkirk, Ohio, will pay an estimated $78 to $95 for an oil change.

MORE: How Often Should I Change My Oil?

Independent Shop vs. Dealership Service Center

Independent service centers often advertise lower prices than what dealerships charge.

As a franchise dealer service center specializing in one or two makes:

Technicians at dealerships often have the highest level of training and knowledge, and their labor rates may reflect this.
They use “official” top-quality parts that the manufacturer recommends.
Parts usually come with a manufacturer’s warranty.

Independent shops service multiple makes instead of specializing. In addition:

Technicians at independent shops tend to be generalists with broad knowledge and training on many vehicles.
Pricing might seem lower because they can use non-official or aftermarket parts.
They don’t sell the vehicles they service.

Signs My Car Needs Maintenance Done

Even the most well-maintained car will encounter problems that require unexpected service. Often, the vehicle will let you know before it stops operating that there’s an issue needing attention.

Car Maintenance Guide: Everything You Need to Know

The “check engine” light and “service engine soon” indications on the dashboard aren’t the only clues that should prompt you to call a repair shop:

Braking: Any problem with your brakes is a critical safety issue. Immediately address a “soft” brake pedal or any squeaking or scraping sounds.
Lacking acceleration: A change in vehicle performance may mean it’s time for new spark plugs or a complete engine tuneup.
Vibration: If you feel the car shaking when starting, turning, or stopping, have a mechanic diagnose the cause.
Stalling or difficulty starting: When your vehicle stalls or won’t start, it’s time to check with a mechanic for a solution to the problem.
Fuel efficiency: Bad sensors or leaky fuel injectors might be the reason for changes in your gas mileage.
Shifting: Automatic transmissions are designed to shift gears smoothly. Hard shifts and lurching might indicate a transmission problem.

There are less obvious clues that something might be wrong with the car, and these signs can be intermittent or vague. Remember that you know how your car drives better than anyone does. If something seems different, it might be the start of a more significant problem.

Contact a trusted mechanic at your local dealership or car repair shop when your vehicle isn’t performing well. Tell them what you feel and hear when the car begins acting up.

Where to Find an Auto Repair Shop

You can check with your friends and neighbors for their mechanics’ names, find an auto repair shop online, or visit the dealership service center. If those places can’t get to your vehicle soon, ask the technicians to recommend other shops that might have availability.

Understand that many shops specialize in car repair and maintenance services for particular makes, and some general service stations might not work on specific brands. For example, if you want a mechanic to look at your prized 2013 Audi TT and the local German car specialist is booked through next month, your only other option might be to visit an Audi dealership.

Putting off routine auto maintenance or ignoring your car’s clues or hints that something is wrong can lead to more expensive repairs. Stay on top of your car maintenance schedule and act fast when you feel, hear, or sniff something wrong with your vehicle. Shakes, squeals, and smells rarely go away on their own.

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Car Maintenance Checklist

A car maintenance checklist may include checking oil and fluid levels, testing the car’s battery and connections, replacing filters, and inspecting tires. Keep up with a preventative auto maintenance schedule to maximize your vehicle’s lifespan and performance. Use this list to determine what — and when — tasks should be done to help keep your car in proper working order.

Service intervals can vary from make to make and model to model. No matter how many miles you drive annually, be sure to follow your vehicle’s maintenance schedule.

Service Immediately

Check engine light: This warning appears when the car’s control system discovers a problem. There is no reason to panic when you see this yellow warning light, but don’t delay a visit to the repair shop. Don’t reset a check engine light on your own without knowing why it came on in the first place. A mechanic can run diagnostic tests to determine the cause.
Headlights/taillights: If a light goes out, check for blown fuses. Replace the light if that isn’t the problem. Driving with burned-out lights is unsafe and can result in a traffic ticket.
Tire pressure light: A car’s tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) will alert you when the air pressure in a tire drops below a certain amount. Low air pressure can bring unsafe driving conditions, so inflate your tires to proper levels as soon as possible.

Monthly Checkup

Fog lights, turn signals, brake, and parking lights: It’s relatively easy to notice a headlight that isn’t working. Others aren’t as obvious, so walk around the car monthly to visually inspect the lights.
Oil and coolant levels: Check the levels when the engine is cool at least once a month, and always top them off before making a long trip.
Tire pressure and tread depth: Tires are essential to safe driving. Regularly inspect your tires and the spare for uneven wear, proper air pressure, and adequate tread depth. Use a penny to check the tread depth. If the top of Lincoln’s head is covered, there is still more than 2/32 of an inch of depth (1/16) remaining, meaning adequate tread is left. We recommend tire shopping when the tread depth is 1/8 of an inch.
Windshield wiper fluid: Be sure the reservoir has an adequate supply of wiper fluid. A dirty windshield obstructs your view of the road, making it impossible to drive safely.

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3-Month Checkup

Battery and cables: Ensure the battery and cables have tight connections and no corrosion or leaking fluid.
Belts and hoses: The serpentine belt and other belts in the engine compartment shouldn’t look glazed, cracked, or frayed. Hoses shouldn’t leak or have cracks or bulges.
Power steering fluid: Check the power steering fluid level when the engine is warm and add more when needed. Many vehicles newer than 2020 use electronic power steering systems that don’t use steering fluid.
Wiper blades: Driving with worn wiper blades is a safety hazard because of reduced visibility when it rains. Inspect them seasonally and replace the blades if they’re damaged or no longer clear the windshield.

6-Month Checkup

Oil and filters: The 3-month/3,000-mile interval for conventional engine oil changes is largely outdated. Newer models use synthetic varieties that might have 7,500 to 10,000 miles between oil changes. Newer cars may have an oil-life monitoring system that calculates oil change intervals based on the vehicle’s use and other factors.
Rotate tires: Rotating tires helps extend their life by balancing the tread wear and can help prevent noise and vibration problems. Check the owner’s manual beforehand because some types of tires and wheels shouldn’t be rotated or must be rotated in a particular way.
Wax vehicle: Wash your vehicle regularly and apply a wax coating at least twice a year to help protect its finish from rust.
Exhaust system: Look for and repair any damage, especially if the muffler is making noise.
Battery performance check: Your car won’t start without a good battery. Beginning when the battery is three years old, test it twice a year at your auto parts store.
Chassis lubrication: Your owner’s manual will say if the chassis, steering, and suspension systems require periodic lubrication.

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Annual Checkup

Air filters: Cabin air filters help clean the air inside the car and require annual replacement. However, engine air filters keep debris out of your engine and should be inspected during oil changes.
Brakes: Inspect the brake system, including the brake fluid, brake linings, rotors, and brake pads, to help ensure the proper operation of these critical components. Brake fluid typically needs replacing at 30,000-mile intervals. The lifespan of brake pads largely depends on the operator’s driving style.
Inspect shocks and struts: If you notice a decrease in smoothness when driving, take your car to the shop. Shocks and struts are an essential part of the car’s steering system and should be inspected by a professional.

2-Year Checkup

Ignition system: Good-quality spark plugs, plug wires, coils, and other electrical components can last up to 100,000 miles. Even so, it’s a good idea to check spark plugs at 30,000 miles. Rough running or hard starting can indicate that they’re beginning to fail.
Transmission fluid: Check transmission fluid levels regularly and add more when needed. Expect to change transmission fluid between 30,000 and 60,000 miles in a manual transmission vehicle and between 30,000 and 100,000 miles in an automatic transmission.
Fuel filter: Manufacturer guidelines for fuel filter replacement vary. Some suggest replacement at 30,000 miles.
Coolant/antifreeze: Flushing the coolant and replacing it with fresh fluid every two years or 30,000 miles is a good rule of thumb for older cars. Newer models with long-life fluid might be good for 100,000 miles. Guidelines vary by model.

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Long-Term Checkup

Transfer case fluid: The transfer case shifts power from the transmission to the axles in a 4-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive vehicle. Have a professional check the transfer case fluid according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Front and rear differential: Differentials are devices that split the torque from the engine and send power to the tires to propel the car. The differentials require lubrication, and a professional should check them according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Change tires: Check often for adequate tread depth greater than 2/32 of an inch. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), tires should be replaced after six years.
Battery: Test the battery, beginning at three years. It’s time to replace the battery after five years.
Timing belt: Replace following the owner’s manual guidance, typically between 60,000 and 90,000 miles. Not all vehicles have timing belts. Yours might have a timing chain, which often needs no periodic maintenance (or replacement) unless there’s an issue.

These milestones for car maintenance are general guidelines and not an exhaustive list. Carefully follow your car manufacturer’s recommendations on scheduled vehicle service and use qualified mechanics to perform your auto repairs.

Electric Car Maintenance

Electric vehicles (EVs) have fewer moving parts than gas-powered cars, resulting in less frequent maintenance and less time in the shop. EVs do not require oil changes, engine air filters, or fuel filters, but do need regular checks of suspension, steering, and other chassis components. Still, regular maintenance remains essential for safe operation and preventing expensive issues.

Rotate tires regularly (about every 7,500 miles) to prevent uneven wear, as EVs are heavier and can wear tires faster.
Monitor tire tread and maintain proper inflation for safety and efficiency.
Replace windshield wiper blades and refill washer fluid as needed for clear visibility.
Replace the cabin air filter annually or as recommended to keep the interior air fresh.
Inspect and maintain the battery thermal management system; check coolant levels and hoses, and follow the manufacturer’s schedule for coolant replacement.
For good battery health, use shorter, more frequent charging cycles and try to keep it charged between 30% and 80%.
Take advantage of regenerative braking, but remember to lubricate brake calipers and check brake fluid regularly, as mechanical brakes are used less often.
Install software updates for vehicle systems.

Always follow the specific maintenance schedule and recommendations in your vehicle’s owner’s manual to ensure safe and reliable operation.

Editor’s Note: This article has been updated since its initial publication.