Vehicle Maintenance Checklist

Benefits of Proper Vehicle Maintenance

Paying attention to the maintenance you put into your vehicle, though, can help you save money over the long term. In addition, taking the time to properly maintain your vehicle will also improve its performance over its lifetime. 

The Ideal Vehicle Maintenance Checklist

Now that you understand how important maintaining your vehicle is, it’s time to wade through all the noise and determine which services are needed. Remember: you can always look at the owner’s manual for your vehicle to determine the recommended maintenance and the schedule each service should be performed.

If you don’t have your owner’s manual handy, simply give Victorville Motors a call. Their friendly and knowledgeable professionals will be here to help. 

Every 3 Months or 3,000 Miles

Check the fluids in your vehicle. These include the engine oil, brake fluid, coolant, power steering fluid, and transmission fluid.

While all the fluids named are vital for their role in the actual mechanics of the engine, there is one more fluid that sometimes gets overlooked: windshield washer fluid. Keeping this vital fluid topped off can make the difference between having excellent vision while you’re behind the wheel and not being able to see well. 

Inspecting the hoses and belts for wear and weakness is also recommended at this frequency. Check the pressures of all four tires and adjust as necessary. It’s also a good idea to clean your vehicle inside and out on a regular basis. 

Every 6 Months or 5,000 Miles

At this interval, focus on addressing any issues that might be occurring with your vehicle’s filters. Check the engine air, fuel, and cabin air filter as they’ll likely need to be changed. 

It is also around this time that many manufacturers recommend that you have your engine oil and filter changed. This is also the ideal time to have your tires rotated so they wear more evenly. 

Ensuring that your vehicle’s battery is in good working order can help avoid any unpleasant performance issues. Inspect the lights, too, so that you are visible and your visibility is at its best. 

Your vehicle’s wiper blades are another crucial part that often gets forgotten or overlooked until it starts to rain. Plan to at least inspect them twice a year. You’ll likely need to replace them at least once during that year — depending on how often you drive and under what conditions you do so. 

Every 12 Months or 10,000 Miles

If your vehicle uses synthetic oil, the manufacturer may recommend that you change the oil and filter every 12 months or 10,000 miles. Of course, the best way to determine what is the ideal interval for your particular vehicle is to consult the owner’s manual or speak to the experts at Victorville Motors. 

At this period of time, have the brakes checked for wear. Sometimes issues with the brakes are noticeable — for example, squealing or pulling when braking — and other times, you might not be aware of just how much they’ve been worn down. 

Because your brakes have such an important job to do, it’s important to inspect them frequently and address any issues right away. Not doing so could mean you’ll pay higher repair costs, and you might have difficulty stopping your vehicle. 

Protect the integrity and performance of your tires by having them aligned and rotated regularly. While doing so is recommended at this time frame, you might need to do it more often if you notice uneven wear on your tires or if your car is pulling in one direction. 

Maintaining your vehicle is important because it protects the investment you’ve made. However, doing so also makes driving safer for you and any occupants you might have. Proper maintenance can help protect against unexpected breakdowns by catching and addressing small problems before they mushroom into larger ones.