Regular automobile upkeep is one of the building blocks for a long-lived vehicle and this begins with routine car maintenance. Just suggesting that a car needs maintenance is enough to send people running for cover. In truth, it isn’t that bad if you keep a car maintenance schedule and learn what you should look for. Lets look at what you can keep tabs on to ensure your vehicle stays running and remains safe to drive.
Oil Changes: Regular oil changes every 3 months or 3,000 miles will ensure your vehicles remains running smoothly. This should be at the top of your list of regular maintenance.
Fluids: Check that your fluids are topped off. This too is a simple task that can be done in a few minutes. It is important not to let any of your fluids fall too low. If this is a continual problem, you should have it checked out. Any time your vehicle is deprived of any fluid, it seriously damages your engine. Radiator, transmission and brake fluid can be flushed/changed per the manufacturers recommendation.
Filters: Changing an air filter takes five minutes but can help preserve your fuel mileage. Filters should be changed between 15,000 and 30,000 miles.
Tires: Inspect your tires to ensure they remain filled to the recommended PSI. In addition, tires should be rotated every 6,000 miles. This can be done in a half an hour at a service station.
Spark Plugs: These should be changed every 100,000 miles. This is a more expensive and complicated process, depending on your vehicle. Luckily, you shouldn’t be doing this type of maintenance too often.
Keep a simple log of your regular maintenance that includes what you had done, where the car was serviced and when. By doing so you can prevent numerous problems while extending the life of your vehicle. Any repair performed after the car becomes damaged because of a lack of maintenance will be far more expensive than ensuring it remains running at peak performance.
Article borrowed from:
What is Considered Routine Car Maintenance - Autos.com
