Regular maintenance keeps a car safe, saves money on repairs and helps it keep its value. This checklist covers what to check yourself and what to leave to a mechanic. Always follow your owner's manual for the exact intervals for your car.
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Key takeaways
- Your owner's manual sets the service schedule for your car: follow it.
- Check tire pressure, tread, fluid levels and lights every month.
- Keep every receipt: a service history helps when you sell.
- Fix warning lights and strange noises early, before a small problem becomes an expensive one.
In this guide
- Where do I find the right maintenance schedule for my car?
- What should I check every month?
- How often should I change the oil and other fluids?
- When should I check the brakes, battery and belts?
- How does maintenance save fuel and money?
- Should I keep maintenance records?
- Where can I find a trustworthy shop or the right parts?
Where do I find the right maintenance schedule for my car?
Short answer Your owner's manual lists what to service and when, based on mileage and time. Follow it, and if you drive in tough conditions such as short trips, heavy traffic, towing or extreme weather, check whether the severe-use schedule applies.
Your owner's manual lists what to service and when, based on mileage and time. It is the best source for your exact car, including the right oil grade and the intervals for belts, fluids and filters.
If you drive in tough conditions, such as short trips, heavy traffic, towing or extreme heat or cold, check whether the manual's severe-use schedule applies to you.
What should I check every month?
Short answer Every month check tire pressure with the tires cold, tread and tire condition, oil and coolant levels, washer fluid, and that all lights work. It takes about ten minutes and catches most small problems early.
A ten-minute check once a month catches most small problems early:
- tire pressure, with the tires cold, using the figure on the door-jamb sticker
- tire tread and condition: look for uneven wear, cuts and bulges
- oil level and coolant level, with the engine cold and the car on level ground
- washer fluid, wipers and all lights
- warning lights on the dashboard
How often should I change the oil and other fluids?
Short answer Follow the intervals in your owner's manual for engine oil and filter, coolant, brake fluid and transmission fluid, and use the oil grade it recommends. Intervals differ a lot between cars, so do not rely on a single number for every vehicle.
Follow the intervals in your owner's manual for engine oil and filter, coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid and power steering fluid, and use the oil grade the manual recommends. Intervals differ a lot between cars and engines, so do not rely on a single number for every vehicle.
Low or dirty fluids, a burning smell or a leak under the car are reasons to book a check before the next scheduled service.
When should I check the brakes, battery and belts?
Short answer Have the brakes inspected at least once a year or when you hear squealing or grinding or feel a soft pedal. Test the battery before winter or if the engine cranks slowly, and have belts and hoses checked for cracks at each major service.
Have the brakes inspected at least once a year, and sooner if you hear squealing or grinding or the pedal feels soft. Test the battery before winter or if the engine cranks slowly, and clean any corrosion from the terminals.
Ask the shop to check belts and hoses for cracks at each major service, since a failed belt can leave you stranded or damage the engine.
How does maintenance save fuel and money?
Short answer Well-maintained cars use less fuel and break down less. Keeping tires properly inflated, using the recommended oil, replacing a dirty air filter and fixing engine problems promptly all help, and a service history also supports a higher price when you sell.
A well-maintained car uses less fuel and breaks down less often. Keeping the tires properly inflated, using the recommended grade of oil and keeping the engine in good running order all help fuel economy, and fixing a warning light early is usually cheaper than waiting.
Keep every service receipt. A complete service history makes the car easier to sell and supports a better price.
Should I keep maintenance records?
Short answer Yes. Keep receipts and a simple log of dates, mileage and work done. Records help you plan the next service, support warranty claims, and show buyers that the car has been looked after, which can help you sell it faster and for more.
Yes. Keep the receipts and a simple log with the date, mileage and work done for every service and repair. Records help you plan the next service, support warranty claims, and show buyers that the car has been looked after.
Our guide on selling your car explains how to use service records to build trust with buyers.
Where can I find a trustworthy shop or the right parts?
Short answer Browse garages and specialists in the Service Garage and other service categories on Motor Mania Club, and parts suppliers in the parts directory. Ask for a written estimate and read our guide on choosing a mechanic before you book.
Browse garages and specialists in the Service Garage and other service categories on Motor Mania Club, and parts suppliers in the parts directory.
Ask for a written estimate and read our guide on finding a reliable mechanic or tuning shop before you book. For tires, see our guide on buying tires and checking their age.
Sources and further reading
How this guide was prepared
This guide is written from official and industry sources, which are listed above, and checked against how Motor Mania Club works. We aim to review our guides every few months and change the date when something is updated.
This guide gives general information and is not legal, financial or mechanical advice. Rules differ by state, so check your state agency for the exact requirements.
About the author
Elie Haddad, Founder, Smart Net 360 and Motor Mania Club. Elie Haddad is the founder of Smart Net 360 and of Motor Mania Club, the US automotive marketplace and directory that connects dealers, parts suppliers, garages and car enthusiasts. 15 years in business management and a car enthusiast.
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