When Does My Car Need Maintenance?
Required automotive maintenance is essential for keeping your car running in top shape. Knowing when to bring your car in for service can be a tricky task, as many factors can affect the health of your vehicle. Let’s break down what types of routine maintenance are necessary and how to tell when it’s time to take your car in for a checkup.
Checking Your Vehicle's Manual
The first step in understanding when to service your car is to check the owner’s manual. This will provide you with a timeline for when certain services need to be completed. For example, many cars require an oil change every 7,500 miles or so, while others may only need one every 10,000 miles. It is important to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for servicing as closely as possible. Failure to do so could void your warranty or result in serious mechanical problems down the road.
Maintenance Schedules And Mileage Markers
Most cars have a maintenance schedule that suggests when certain items should be serviced based on mileage markers (e.g., every 30,000 miles). The good news is that these schedules are typically listed in your owner’s manual and online, so you don't have to remember when something needs to be serviced – just follow the guidelines provided! Additionally, many service centers offer reminder programs where they will contact you when it’s time for required automotive maintenance.
Watch Out For These Warning Signs
In addition to following recommendations from your owner’s manual and/or service center reminders, there are other warning signs you should watch out for that may indicate an issue with your car: strange noises coming from underneath the hood, shaking or vibrating while idling or driving; oil changes more than 3 months apart; smoky exhaust emissions; leaking fluids; and slow acceleration or braking response times. If any of these warning signs occur, get your car inspected by a qualified technician right away!
Oil Changes
One of the most important things you can do for your car is to change its oil regularly. Old oil becomes thick and sludgy, which means it won’t lubricate the engine properly. This can lead to serious problems over time, so it’s important that you keep up with regular oil changes. Generally, you should plan on getting an oil change every 3,000-5,000 miles or once every three months, whichever comes first.
Tire Rotations
Rotating your tires is another important part of maintaining your car’s health. Depending on how much you drive and the type of tire you have, you should rotate them anywhere from every 5,000-7,500 miles or at least twice a year. If you don’t rotate them regularly, they can become unevenly worn out, leading to more frequent replacements and poorer handling while driving.
Fluid Checks
Fluid checks are also essential for keeping up with your car's maintenance needs. Fluids such as brake fluid and coolant need to be checked every few months or after a certain number of miles driven (check your owner's manual). These fluids help keep all the parts of your engine running smoothly and prevent overheating, which could cause extensive damage if left unchecked for too long.
Serpentine Belts
A serpentine belt—sometimes called a drive belt—is an important part of your car's engine that helps turn the pulleys that power several components, such as the air conditioning compressor, power steering pump, and alternator. It needs to be replaced periodically in order for your engine to continue working properly.
The general rule of thumb is that you should replace your serpentine belt every 50,000 miles or four years, whichever comes first. However, this can vary greatly depending on the make and model of your vehicle; some vehicles may need their belts replaced sooner than others. To ensure that you're replacing it at the right time, refer to your owner's manual and follow their recommended schedule for maintenance. Additionally, if you hear any squeaking or squealing noises coming from under the hood, it could indicate that the serpentine belt needs to be replaced immediately.
Take Care of Your Car!
Regular maintenance is key for keeping your car running smoothly for years to come. Oil changes are necessary every 3-5k miles, and tire rotations should occur at least twice a year or every 5-7k miles depending on use (check the owner's manual). It's also important not to forget about checking various fluids like brake fluid and coolant since these help keep all parts running optimally and prevent any overheating issues from occurring due to a lack of proper maintenance. We hope this article has helped inform car owners about what types of routine maintenance their vehicles need!
MoKanex is a mobile mechanic dedicated to bringing its “shop” to you for easy and efficient car repair and required automotive maintenance. Our company prides itself on its quality services:
Oil Changes
Fluid Flush
Tire Rotation
Brake Replacement and Parts
Vehicle and Damage Assessment
Diagnostics
And Pre-Inspection
MoKanex is here to meet you whenever and wherever your car needs help. Contact us or give us a call today to find your mobile mechanic.
