#COMPLETE CAR MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST HOW TO#
#COMPLETE CAR MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST SERIES#

No Jump Starts Needed When Your Battery is Changed on Schedule Read More: 12-Point Checklist To Get Your Car Summer Road Trip Ready 2. For that reason, it’s more than worth changing on a regular basis. Visual signs that you need to change the filter include a decrease in your gas mileage, or a slow start when turning the car on.Īn air filter change is a reasonable fix that can have an impact on your gas costs. The best way to know when to change the air filter is with a visual inspection. For contrast, Mazda recommends a change every time you change your oil but never going beyond the maximum of every 36 months or 37,500 miles. This is certainly on the list of items when you should follow the manufacturer guidelines for your specific make and model.įord recommends changing the filter every 15,000 – 30,000 miles depending on the model and usage of the car. Pretty much anytime I’ve had an oil change, there’s been an offer to change my air filter at the same time. Keeping track of the services means I am not only maintaining my car in the best condition, but I’m also saving money and time. However, I also use my knowledge of how I’ve been driving my car (long road trips vs stop and go local traffic) to inform my service schedule. I do follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on most items. I solidly keep track of what my car needs and tell the mechanic what services I need when going in.

#COMPLETE CAR MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST HOW TO#

READ MORE: HOW TO KNOW YOU’RE GETTING A FAIR DEAL AT THE MECHANICĪfter that experience, I moved to the second school of thought.

#COMPLETE CAR MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST SERIES#

I was in this group until I was charged on a series of oil changes for new air filters that were never installed – the factory-installed model was still in the car 2 years later… There are lots of busy people in this school of thought. They’re keeping a log and will inform you of any needed services, right? After all, if you go to the same location for service all the time, then it shouldn’t be an issue. The reasoning behind this is pretty clear. The first school of thought is, let the mechanic tell you. Generally, there are two schools of thought on how to determine when your car should be serviced. Not only that, they impact long-term maintenance costs.

These “little things” can make a huge impact on the performance of your car. Little things like air filters and windshield wipers weren’t high on my car maintenance checklist. We all know the recommended schedule for oil changes and tire rotations, but are you as confident about the recommendations for the other car essentials? I admit that I didn’t always know what to change on my car, or when. Can’t see in the rain? Change Your Windshield Wiper Blades The Most Current Information on When to Change Your Tires

A Girl’s Guide to Cars Car Buying Program.

Complete car maintenance checklist