Vehicle maintenance routines can be difficult to stay on top of, but missing a needed service can lead to costly or irreparable damage. The specifics of your needed maintenance schedule are dependant upon your make, model, and driving patterns; however, you can follow a general guideline of services to stay on track and keep your vehicle healthy. Here is a breakdown of services needed by milage, brought to you by the Chapel Hill Tire experts.
Services Needed Every 5,000 – 10,000 miles
Oil Changes and Oil Filter Replacements
For most vehicles, you will need an oil change between 5,000 and 10,000 miles. Your filter will also need to be changed to protect your engine. When you get your oil changed, a professional mechanic will give you an idea of when you will need our next oil change. Many newer vehicles also have internal systems that provide notifications when your oil levels are low.
Tire Pressure Check and Refills
When your tire air levels become low, your car becomes more inefficient on mileage and your rims become more vulnerable to damage on the road. Unless your tire becomes damaged, there is unlikely to be any dramatic changes in your tire pressure over time. The cadence of a tire pressure check often follows the same routine as your oil change, so you can pair these services. Your mechanic will test and refill your tires as necessary during each oil change.
Tire Rotation
Because your front tires absorb the friction of your turns, they wear quicker than your back tires. Regular tire rotations are needed to protect your set of tires as a whole by helping them wear evenly. Aa a general rule, you should get your tires rotated every 6,000-8,000 miles.
Services Needed Every 10,000 – 30,000 Miles
Air Filter Change
Your vehicle’s air filter keeps debris out of our engine, but they become dirty over time. This puts unnecessary and harmful stress on your engine if left unchanged. Roughly speaking, your air filter will need to be changed between 12,000 and 30,000 miles. The gap seen here is caused by the fact that air filters will need to be changed more frequently for drivers in big cities and drivers who frequent dirt roads. Your mechanic will also check the status of your air filter during an oil change and let you know when it needs to be changed.
Brake Fluid Flush
Keeping up with brake maintenance is essential to keeping you safe while on the road. Reference your owner’s manual for your brake’s needed care routine. This service is often recommended as early as 20,000 miles.
Fuel Filter Change
The fuel filter keeps unwanted debris away from your engine. Reference your owner’s manual for specific information about your vehicle’s fuel filter change routines. This service often begins as early as 30,000 miles.
Transmission Fluid Service
Your transmission is easy to care for and expensive to replace, making it key to provide your vehicle with a transmission fluid flush when needed. This service comes much more quickly for manual transmissions than automatic transmissions; however, both of these vehicle types can begin to need a transmission fluid flush at around 30,000 miles.
Services Needed Every 30,000+ Miles
Brake Pad Replacements
When your brakes become worn down, they will not be able to provide the friction you need to safely slow and stop your vehicle. Brake pads can last up to 50,000 miles, but you may need a replacement before then. Keep an eye on the width of your brake pads, or ask an expert for insight into when you may need a brake pad replacement.
Battery Replacement
While it can be inconvenient when your battery dies, it helps to know when you should expect to need a replacement. Your vehicle’s battery often lasts between 45,000-65,000 miles. Battery services can help them last longer.
Coolant Flush
The coolant in your engine prevents it from overheating and creating costly damage. You should plan to get a coolant flush between 50,000-70,000 miles to keep your engine protected.
As-Needed Vehicle Services
Rather than following a specific maintenance routine based on miles or years on your car, certain vehicle maintenance services are completed as needed or as preferred. Here are the services that you should keep an eye out for and the symptoms that they are needed.
- Tire Balancing – If your tire balance becomes thrown off, it will cause shaking in your tires, steering wheel, and overall vehicle. Tire balancing can repair this issue.
- New Tires – Your tire change schedule occurs as you need them. When you need new tires depends on the road conditions in your area, the types of tires you buy, and more.
- Wheel Alignment – Alignment keeps your vehicle’s wheels pointing in the right direction. You can get a free alignment inspection if you think you may need this service.
- Windshield Wiper Replacements – When your windshield wipers become ineffective, visit a maintenance professional so that you can stay safe during adverse weather conditions.
- Headlight Restoration – If you’ve noticed your headlights dimming, visit an expert for headlight restoration.
- Wheel/rim repair – Often needed after an accident, a pothole issue, or a driving mishap, a wheel/rim repair can save you on costly replacements.
- Maintenance Flushes – Besides the core variations of fluid services, some maintenance flushes can be completed as-needed. The better you take care of your vehicle, the longer it will last.
A vehicle service expert will let you know when you need a specialty service. Regular tune-ups will help you stay ahead of needed car care.
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