This can easily be done at home, so refer to the user manual for instructions and how often it should be changed. Some procedures should be performed regularly without following a specific schedule. On a car maintenance checklist, changing the oil certainly requires you to follow the schedule and arrive on time. Before we start talking extensively about our suggested car maintenance checklist, a helpful tip you should know is that your car’s owner’s manual is your best friend. This is because it contains information about all the maintenance checks that need to be done and, ideally, when they need to be done next time.
If you decide to make an oil change yourself, refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual for the type of oil needed and how often oil changes are needed. Again, refer to the owner’s manual for your vehicle’s maintenance program. Some maintenance tasks must be performed every few kilometers, while others must be performed monthly or annually.
Add more if your inspection doesn’t meet this requirement and make sure you continue with your Car Service Reading. Changing your car’s oil at a repair shop or dealership usually involves a multi-point inspection to check the levels of fluids, filters, and other components. In previous decades, a general rule of thumb was to change a car’s oil every 3,000 miles. Since 2010, many vehicles have been using synthetic oil that can travel up to 10,000 miles between the changes. Just as other car parts are key to the overall operation of your vehicle, the air filter also plays its own role throughout the car system.
In other words, the interior air filter ensures that the air entering the cabin of the car is regulated and that what you breathe in is free of dirt and other particles. No car maintenance checklist is complete without checking the air filter. Every month, or every few full throttle and especially for a long road trip, it’s a good idea to crawl under the hood of your car and inspect oil and coolant levels while the engine is cold. Low levels of both can lead to engine problems if left unchecked. Refer to the owner’s manual to find both in your specific vehicle.
If the top of your head disappears completely, it means that the tread depth of your tires is at an optimal level. While you may not need to change the battery every month, you should check its performance. Every time you take your car to the workshop, you add a battery performance check to your vehicle’s maintenance checklist. When checking your oil and coolant levels, also look at the windshield wash fluid levels. You don’t want to get on the road and walk away, so charge up if you need to. When testing the tire pressure, also look at the tread depth of the tires.
However, to locate all these reservoirs, you can simply consult the user manual. Check the fluid level of the power steering and charge if necessary – it will help you successfully get past your car’s maintenance checklist. Another important task on your vehicle’s maintenance checklist should be to check coolant levels. Be sure to check these levels every month, especially before taking long road trips. Low coolant levels can cause the engine to heat up and break down.
If you tend to take a lot of short trips instead of driving long distances, experts recommend checking fluids more often than recommended by the manufacturer. Unlike brake fluid or engine fluid, your car can perform relatively well, even if you no longer have windshield washer fluid. But as long as you’re checking the other fluid levels, all you have to do is quickly see if you need to add more, so we’ll include this in our monthly inspections.
It is a well-known fact that all cars need a regular maintenance checklist to run smoothly. Still, essential car maintenance goes beyond a visual inspection of your car and the occasional wash from time to time. You’ll also want to take care of your car after each outing and follow a regular maintenance schedule. Your car is a powerful and expensive machine, and to work at its best, it needs routine maintenance. Not only can a car maintenance checklist keep your car running smoothly, but it can also keep you and your family safe and can even save you from major and expensive repairs due to negligence. Change your oil regularly and check your transmission fluid, brake fluid and coolant.