Auto insurance statistics show that the average running life of a car in the United States is approximately 10 years or 100,000 miles. Preventative maintenance and run
ning your car properly can help you extend the useful life of your car and spend less time at the auto shop.
It is imperative to keep a running maintenance schedule for your vehicle. The following timeline can help you determine what you should check for and schedule during the life of your car.
Every two weeks or 3,000
miles:
Check the engine oil, transmission fluid and coolant. These are simple checks that you can perform yourself. Many gas station attendants will be happy to assist you with thes
e tasks as well.
Once a month, or every 1,000 miles:
Check the tire pressure of your tires with a tire gauge. Ensure that your tires are inflated properly acco
rding to industry standards.
Check the brake fluid in your car. This is a simple task that is often overlooked.
Wax the car to protect the finish.
Inspect the belts and hoses.
Every three – six months or 3,000 miles:
Change the oil and oil filter.
Have the chassis lubrica
ted.
Check the transmission fluid and top off as necessary.
Inspect all drive belts (fan belts) and replace any frayed or cracked belts.
Every six – nine months of 6,000 miles:
Inspect the car suspension system.
Rotate tires – have the back tires brought to the front to extend the life of your tires.
Every twelve months or 12,000 miles:
Have the radiator flu
shed, replace anti-freeze and check the air conditioning system to ensure it is still working properly.
Every 2 years or 24,000 m
iles:
Replace the spark plu
gs if needed (for unleaded gas use, the average suggested life is 30,000 miles) and PC valve.
Change the automat
ic transmission fluid, filter and pan gasket.
Have the brake linings inspected.
Every 3 years or 30,000 miles:
Inspect and test the ignition wires (replacing if needed).
Test the cooling system and heating hoses (also replace if necessary).
Check and replace
the drive belts as required.
Replace the fluid in differential and manual transmissions.
Every 5 years or 50,000 miles:
Check the brake shoes and replace if necessary.
Of course, it is essential to repair or replace parts on your car as needed – change the spark plugs and
brakes if they wear out before they are supposed to! Weather conditions, driving conditions, traffic and the miles you drive each year play big roles in how many years of useful life you will get from your car.
Keep track of when you do repairs – keep a record book of what was done to your car, who performed the repairs, the price you paid and the date of service. This will make it easier for you to keep track of the maintenance your car requires and when you need to take it in for service.
By performing preven
tative maintenance regularly on your vehicle, you can extend the life of your automobile and spend less time and money dealing with repairs. Stop problems before they start by maintaining and caring for your car on a scheduled basis.
