How to Know When It’s Time For a Check-Up?

There are a few ways to remember when to check up on your car and when to schedule a car maintenance service appointment.

First, refer to your odometer. This usually comes with the option of resetting 2 of them, A and B, to track your mileage between services.

The second is writing down the total mileage and service received at the time.

Third, there are many apps available to track and remind you when you should get your car serviced. With excuses to remember out of the way, here are the key services to stay on top of and extend the life of your car.

Engine Oil Change

It is usually best to change your engine oil and filter every 3,000 miles, depending on what your owner’s manual says. However, synthetic oil is a better option for your car because it offers better protection. It costs a little more but only requires a change every 5,000 miles so oil changes are much less frequent over the life of the car.

Brake Fluid Flush

The brake fluid requires less maintenance as it only requires a change every three years or 36,000 miles if it does not have an antilock braking system (ABS). However, if it has ABS, then flush this every two years or 24,000 miles.

Transmission Fluid Change

The transmission fluid allows you to shift gears and power the vehicle through moving parts. The frequency of getting a transmission fluid flush depends on whether or not you have an automatic or manual transmission.

If you have an automatic, then getting a transmission fluid flush every three years for front-wheel drive or every five years for a rear-wheel-drive is recommended. Manual transmissions require much less maintenance but still need a transmission fluid change every 60,000 miles since they are less complicated.

It’s easy to forget to pay attention to the fluid level but remember to check for leaks and quality will save you a lot of money and avoid needing a premature transmission repair.

Power Steering Fluid

Power steering fluid is easily overlooked but it actually makes steering very easy and not a struggle to turn. Not having enough fluid can suddenly make it very difficult to navigate and lose control. It is very simple to check these levels and to top it off.

Radiator Coolant

Coolant comes with a variety of names: radiator fluid, radiator coolant, and antifreeze coolant. As the name infers, it keeps your engine cool so it can run longer. Some people add water as a temporary fix when their engine overheats but it’s actually a blend of coolant and water, usually 50-50, that makes it work efficiently. It should never be 100% coolant.

Tire Maintenance

Taking care of your tires is also crucial because as the four things the car sits on and moves around on, there’s a lot of wear and tear that happens. Check the traction of the tires and check the tire air pressure each month to make sure they are in good condition. Get your tires rotated each time you change your oil or at least every 6 months so that the burden of wear is more even among the tires and you’ll also get more miles out of your tires.

In addition, getting a wheel alignment at least twice a year or every other oil change. This helps your tires get even wear, make sure your tires are pointing in the right direction, improved drivability, help your suspension, and correct your car’s ability to rebalance itself. As a bonus, you also get better fuel efficiency.

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