Remote operations
Marc Prempain
7 May 2024
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If you have a car and you are trying to find a reliable maintenance schedule to follow, you are in the right place. Maintenance is key to improving your vehicle’s performance and increasing its life span. The thing is that sudden car breakdown can be costly, and sometimes you may even be required to purchase new spare parts for your car to function optimally.
It is important to know what to do as a car owner, especially if you frequently drive. You do not always have to rely on professionals to carry out a car maintenance schedule for you. You can develop your maintenance plan to reduce costly repairs and keep your vehicle in good condition. Keep reading this post to know more about the vehicle maintenance program you should follow.
One common thing about all vehicles is that they wear out over a certain period. This is why they need maintenance services to ensure they continue running well. The thing is that there are different car models, and each of them requires a different maintenance plan. So, how can you find out your car’s maintenance schedule?
This is the first place you should consider looking for the car service maintenance schedule. Check your owner’s manual to understand what needs to be done. Normally, it comes in the form of paperwork, and it can either be located in the trunk, glove compartment, pouch behind the car seat, or under your vehicle’s seat. If you do not find it in all these places, you can consider moving to the next step.
The internet is full of free information, and the best part is that it contains maintenance details of several car models. You can try to find information on different websites. Even if you need to pay a small fee to get the details, it will be worth it.
The other place you can try to find the maintenance schedule for your car is in the library. Several books talk about car maintenance schedules you can implement. You can try to gather a few tips to develop a better plan.
Another alternative is to visit your local car shop to inquire about your car maintenance schedule. You can also call them to get a few tips about your vehicle maintenance service.
It is a good idea to know how regularly your car needs maintenance services. This will help maintain the condition of your car or improve its performance. Many manufactures recommend that you check your vehicle after every six months, but this usually depends on the age of your car and how often you use it.
There are very delicate car parts that need to be regularly checked after covering certain miles. Other car parts can wait for a while before they are maintained. It is good to have a car maintenance checklist to know what parts of your car need routine maintenance and which parts can wait a little longer.
When developing a car maintenance schedule, you should know specific parts of your vehicle that need regular maintenance services. That is mostly after covering 3,000 miles to 10,000 miles. These parts may include:
Oil filter and engine oil should be checked routinely because as your vehicle’s engine runs, tiny bits of dirt, metal, and carbon gets into the oil and can make your engine wear off. Oil changes happen after vehicles have covered 5,000 to 10,000 miles in most cases. But it is also important to check oil levels weekly or before going for a long trip. This will help protect your engine from wearing off.
Tires are another thing that needs to be checked regularly to ensure they are in good condition. Without a good tire, your car may not function well, and you may be recurred to replace them if you do not regularly check their pressure level. Maintain your tires after every 6,000 to 8,000 miles.
Ensure the tires are not over-inflated or under-inflated. A pressure gauge will help you determine this. Also, check if the tire treads are in good condition.
Other car maintenance services may be carried after.
When you have already covered 15,000 to 30,000 miles, these are the car parts you need to consider maintaining;
Changing your air filter after 15,000 to 30,000 miles will help your car’s engine breathe and work as expected. Air filter usually gets clogged when your drive or park in a dusty environment. This is why you need to clean or change filters for your engine to run effectively.
This mostly depends on your car’s model, but it is usually advisable to maintain them before covering more than 30,000 miles. Your mechanic can help you test the health of your fuel filter to know if you need to change them.
Car batteries are also prone to wearing off, especially when exposed to high temperatures, are old, or have stayed for a long time without being used. Car batteries may last between 4 to 5 years, and their maintenance services are primarily based on time rather than mileage. This is why car manufacturers always put an average of 30,000 to 60,000 miles.
Brake pads also wear off after some time. When they screech, it means you need to check them or replace them. Also, look at your brake rotors, as they are constantly subjected to a lot of friction, which can cause them to wear off. Also, ensure your rotors are dry after you have washed your vehicle to avoid corrosion.
Other parts that may be checked after 30,000 to 60,000 miles may include;
Spark plugs can stay for a while before being checked. For example, titanium or iridium spark plugs can last up to 90,000 to 100,000 miles without being replaced or checked.
The hoses in your car may leak gas and fluids after a while. This is why you need to have them checked and replaced after some time to ensure they do not bust or cause any other damages. They can be checked after 90,000 miles or more.
Car repair costs can be very expensive, especially if you neglect your vehicle for a long time. You need to always maintain your car to reduce unnecessary expenses, which may come up due to purchasing new spare parts.
Other things you may do include;
Performing a car maintenance schedule will help improve your vehicle’s performance and cut down on unnecessary expenses. The best part is that you can carry out a maintenance program using the manufacturer’s manual or online tips. The above guide should help you know which car parts and the most crucial and need routine maintenance.
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