Maintenance can be a daunting task for a lot of people. Here at KarFarm, we are all about explaining technical stuff in easy to understand manner, so we’ll break it down in simple terms for you.
Usually depending on the make, you would do regular maintenance in the 3,000 or 5,000 mile increments. Very few manufacturers will have a 10,000 mile interval, but they do exist. In the past, some manufacturers had two maintenance schedules depending on what type of driving you do… throw that out the window. You should do your servicing every 3,000 miles, 5,000 miles, or 10,000 miles depending on the make you are driving.
On a side note, if you are the type that don’t drive much, ignore the mileage and please follow the scheduled maintenance per time period - 3 months, 6 months, or 12 months.
If you do not see ‘maintenance’ items below, it’s not maintenance… you need repair!
Items that must be replaced
Oil and Oil Filter Change
This is done at every service interval (3k, 5k, or 10k). There are conventional oils, synthetic oils, and there are blended oils. If you have a turbocharged or supercharged engine, please use synthetic oils. Also oil weight, which is designated as 5W-30, 10W-30, 10W-40 and so on, 95% of us are going to use 5W-30 (colder climates) or 10W-30 (milder and warmer climates) weights. This is Maintenance 101, so we’re not going into turbo timer and those things.
Fluid Check
A visual check of the various vital fluids under the engine bay, such as washer fluid, brake fluid, coolant, transmission fluid, etc… If it’s low, fill it to the top of the recommended levels, and have a mechanic inspect the vehicle to see where the fluid loss is coming from.
Tire Rotation
Rotating the tires have to be done to ensure even wear and longevity of the tire life. Do this at every service levels.
In-Cabin Microfilter
Most new cars since 2002, will have these things. It keeps the air inside the passenger clean. You should replace this every 6 months or at 6,000 miles.
Items should be inspected and replaced when necessary
Engine Air Filter
As the name states, this is essential for not only for performance, but fuel economy. Dirty filter means the airflow coming into the engine will be partially blocked. Think of a vacuum cleaner, the dirtier the filter the less suction power. The engine air filter should be checked at every service interval and be replaced at around 15,000 miles or sooner.
Tires
Depending on the vehicle you are driving the tire replacement will vary. Summer compound, race compound, or high performance tires will last you about 10-15k miles. All-seasons and touring tires will go for about 30-40k. The low resistance tires will last you about 50-60k. Off-road tires will go until at least 75k miles. You should know what type of tires you have, they are the most important safety items on your car!
Brake Pads and Brake Rotors
You will notice a slight high pitched metallic grinding noise when it comes to time to replace the brake pads. But for most drivers, that don’t ride the brakes or slam on the brakes excessively, the brake pads will last you for about 30,000-40,000 miles. Remember the first time you replace the brake pads, you have to resurface the rotor or you will feel vibrations every time you step on the brakes. But the second time you replace the brakes, you should replace the rotors as well. There is not enough metal to resurface the rotors twice and be safe for repeated emergency braking.
Fuel Filter
This is your last step to a clean fuel before entering in the engine. This little device actually catches a lot of junk, however the fuel filters should last you at least 60-90k miles.
Brake Fluid Flush
Sometimes when you replace the rotors, your technician might recommend a flush as well. By the time you replace the rotors you will have close to 90-100k miles, a good time to flush out the brake fluid and replace it with fresh fluid. It’s like cooking oil. When you repeatedly heat the cooking oil (deep frying), the oil loses viscosity and won’t be good anymore. Same thing applies here, after so many repeated use of the brakes break down the brake fluid and make it pretty useless giving you a mushy brake pedal feel. After this procedure, you will have firm brake pedal feel again.
Transmission Flush
The number one enemy of transmission is heat. Same thing with all vital fluids, with repeated heating the oil becomes thin and will not lubricate and cool the transmission effectively. This should be done at every 60k miles, sooner if needed.
Fuel Injector Flush
The fuel injector flush is tricky, because some manufacturer’s don’t recommend it. Please check your owner’s manual about this. The injectors should last you at least 120k miles or so, even throughout the life of the car. But if your manufacturer does recommend it, do it at every 60k miles.
Power Steering Flush
Some new cars since 2005 will have Electric Power Steering, you will not need this service. For the rest, please see brake fluid flush.
Coolant Flush
Coolant is sort of easy. Because of its color it is easy to check on. Make sure you look at the color, if it’s dingy or brown, replace. If your technician is recommending it, please have them show you the condition of the coolant. Most drivers will flush at around the 75-100k miles mark, or sooner.
Struts and/or Shock Absorbers
For passenger cars don’t need this replaced for at least a 120k miles, and SUVs and pickup trucks around 80-100k miles. But as with everything in this section, you have to replace when necessary. If you hear squeaks when you go over bumps or there is excessive bouncing, then it’s time.
Spark Plugs
If you own a vehicle that was born in this century (2000 – present), the chances are that you don’t need spark plug replacement until at least 90k miles. Even about 15 years ago, vehicle owners had to do a ‘tune-up’ every 30,000 miles or so. With advancements in automotive electronics and other mechanicals, a true tune-up is done at every 90k-120k miles these days.
Photo – Flickr (Jonesemyr)
