General Service Schedule for your Car
Auto technicians say the key to keeping vehicles running well today and down the road is routine maintenance. Yet many drivers tend to stall when it comes to keeping up with some everyday auto-basics. This Article is Courtesy of Carcare.org.
- 25% of cars had low or dirty engine oil.
- 13% had low or contaminated brake fluid.
- 18% had dirty air filters.
- 17% had inadequate cooling protection or low coolant levels.
- 16% needed a new windshield wiper and 27% had low or contaminated washer fluid.
- 18% needed new belts
Overall, 89% of vehicles were in need of at least one service or repair.
A regular service schedule can help keep your car running its best. For your convenience, the Car Care Council developed a Service Interval Schedule to help you keep track of regular maintenance. Most of the checks and services described here can be done at little or no cost. Best of all, they are quick and easy to do.
Check Frequently
- Dashboard Indicator Lights On
- Lights
- Tire Inflation and Condition
- Windshield Washer Fluid
- Engine Oil Level
Check Every 3 Months/ 3,000 Miles
- Automatic Transmission Fluid
- Battery and Cables
- Belts
- Dashboard Indicator Light On
- Engine Air Filter
- Engine Oil
- Exhaust
- Hoses
- Lights
- Power Steering Fluid
- Tire Inflation and Condition
- Windshield Washer Fluid
Check Every 6 Months/6,000 Miles
- Automatic Transmission Fluid
- Battery and Cables
- Belts
- Chassis Lubrication
- Dashboard Indicator Light On
- Engine Air Filter
- Engine Oil
- Exhaust
- Hoses
- Lights
- Power Steering Fluid
- Tire Inflation and Condition
- Windshield Washer Fluid
- Wiper Blades
Check Every 9 Months/ 9,000 Miles
- Automatic Transmission Fluid
- Battery and Cables
- Belts
- Dashboard Indicator Light On
- Engine Air Filter
- Engine Oil
- Exhaust
- Hoses
- Lights
- Power Steering Fluid
- Tire Inflation and Condition
- Windshield Washer Fluid
Check every 12 Months/ 12,000 miles
- Automatic Transmission Fluid
- Battery and Cables
- Belts
- Brakes
- Cabin Air Filter
- Chassis Lubrication
- Dashboard Indicator Light On
- Coolant (Antifreeze)
- Engine Air Filter
- Engine Oil
- Exhaust
- Hoses
- Lights
- Power Steering Fluid
- Steering and Suspension
- Tire Inflation and Condition
- Wheel Alignment
- Windshield Washer Fluid
- Wiper Blades