How Frequently Do You Need Certain Types of Auto Maintenance?

To keep your vehicle operating in good, efficient condition for as long as possible, it’s important to stick to a routine car maintenance schedule. The next time you drive past your regular auto shop in Salt Lake City, UT, ask yourself if you’ve got service coming due.

A lot of car maintenance is based on mileage, which means you need to be aware of some of the basic recommendations for vehicle service at particular mileage intervals. Here is a brief overview of some of those recommended service intervals.

• 3,000 to 7,000 miles: This is the generally recommended time frame for vehicle owners to change their oil and oil filter. Most vehicles these days are able to go at least 5,000 to 7,000 miles before they get their oil changed, as the quality of oil and the vehicle technology has vastly improved, but older vehicles might still be best served by the every 3,000 mile standard. At these intervals it is also a good idea to check transmission fluid levels, power steering fluid, coolant, windshield washer fluid and wipers, tires and exterior lights.
• 15,000 to 30,000 miles: The air filter in your vehicle should be replaced every 15,000 miles. At 20,000 miles, inspect the battery and coolant. At 25,000 miles you will likely need to replace the fuel filter. Every 30,000 miles, replace the air filter and power steering fluid, then inspect the coolant, HVAC, belts and hoses, brake pads and all vehicle suspension parts.
• 35,000 to 50,000 miles: The battery should be inspected and replaced (as needed) every 35,000 miles. At every 40,000 miles you will need to replace the spark plugs and their wires, inspect the vehicle ignition and suspension, and repeat those checks at 45,000 and 50,000 miles.
• 60,000 miles: Every 60,000 miles you should replace the brake pads and fluid, coolant, radiator hoses, power steering fluid and timing belt. This is also a good time to inspect the suspension components, tires and HVAC.

In general, it’s a good idea to always keep an eye on your fluid levels and some of the simple systems within your vehicle to make sure nothing appears out of the ordinary. While you will not have to change your tires more than every few years, in all likelihood, it’s still a good idea to keep an eye on their condition at all times to look for signs of uneven wear or damage that could indicate problems in other parts of the vehicle.

Finally, a simple maintenance task you can perform at any time is to keep your vehicle clean. Wash the exterior of your car and wax as needed, and vacuum out the interior to prevent debris from building up. In the winter, put down rubber mats so you can prevent road salt from building up and eating away at your carpets and floors.

These are just a few examples of some of the ways you can create a routine vehicle maintenance schedule to keep up with throughout your vehicle ownership. For more information, contact our towing company in Salt Lake City, UT.

Categorised in: Auto Maintenance

This post was written by Writer