Most car owners know there is certain maintenance that should be routine. But what are those routine maintenance tasks? And how often should that maintenance be performed? In this article, we’ll cover the estimated intervals for routine vehicle maintenance, and provide you with a free maintenance log you can use for your car.
Before we get started, it’s important to note that every car is a little different. We’ll be covering the estimated intervals. These are general. For specifics on the maintenance your car needs, consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual.
Frequent Routine Maintenance
Certain vehicle maintenance should be performed every year, and sometimes two to three times a year. How often you drive, your driving habits, and the climate you drive in will impact how often you should perform this maintenance. The recommended intervals listed below should be used in the best case scenario. You may end up needing service before reaching those intervals, but if everything is running well and you don’t need service, these intervals can help you ensure your vehicle continues running well.
| Maintenance | Recommended Interval |
| Oil Change | every 3,000 to 5,000 miles |
| Tire Rotation | every 6,000 to 8,000 miles |
| Brake Inspection | every 12,000 miles |
| Change Engine Air Filter | every 12,000 to 15,000 miles |
| Vehicle Alignment | every 12,000 to 15,000 miles |
| Change Cabin Air Filter | every 15,000 to 30,000 miles |
| Check Tread Depth | monthly |
| Check Tire Pressure | monthly |
| Check Lights | monthly |
| Check Battery | every 6 months |
| Replace Wiper Blades | every 6 to 12 months |
| Wash Vehicle | every 2 to 4 weeks |
| Wax Vehicle | every 3 to 6 months |
Less Frequent Routine Maintenance
These tasks should performed either annually or after you’ve reached more than 30,000 miles. Although these maintenance tasks shouldn’t be necessary as often as the ones listed above, checking them more frequently can help you find a problem before it becomes a problem. And, just like the maintenance listed above, these tasks may be necessary before you reach the recommended interval. These are general times to inspect or replace these things, but you may need to do it sooner if you notice an issue with your car.
| Maintenance | Recommended Interval |
| Inspect Suspension | annually |
| Check Air Conditioning | annually |
| Inspect Exhaust System | annually |
| Inspect Shocks and Struts | annually |
| Change Engine Coolant | every 30,000 to 50,000 miles |
| Change Transmission Fluid | every 30,000 to 60,000 miles |
| Replace Spark Plugs | every 30,000 to 100,000 miles |
| Change Power Steering Fluid | every 40,000 to 80,000 miles |
| Replace Timing Belt / Chain | every 60,000 to 100,000 miles |
| Change Brake Fluid | every 2 to 3 years |
| Change Battery | every 3 to 5 years |
| Replace Brake Pads | as needed |
| Replace Lights | as needed |
| Fill Windshield Washer Fluid | as needed |
Seasonal Maintenance
In addition to routine maintenance, there are some parts of your vehicle that you should check during (or before) certain seasons. Pennsylvania experiences all four seasons and temperatures can rise and fall quickly. It’s a good idea to check these things before the beginning of winter or summer so that your car is safe to drive any time of the year.
| Winter Maintenance | Summer Maintenance |
| Check Battery | Check Air Conditioner |
| Check Heater | Check Engine Coolant |
| Check Antifreeze | Check Tire Tread |
| Check Tire Tread | Check Tire Pressure |
| Check Tire Pressure | Top Up Windshield Washer Fluid with bug wash |
| Top Up Windshield Washer Fluid with winter mix |
Call Restored Auto, LLC for your Vehicle Maintenance
Whether you need simpler routine maintenance, like an oil change, or more complex maintenance, like replacing a timing belt, Restored Auto, LLC is here to help. We can perform routine maintenance and seasonal check ups to keep your car running smoothly and safely. Give us a call today to schedule your vehicle maintenance.