The last thing on many of our minds is vehicle maintenance. We drive our cars and trucks daily, but rarely do we want to think about fixing it. None of us enjoy taking our car to the shop, however a little proactive maintenance can go a long way toward keeping vehicles on the road instead of the shoulder.

Remember to Change Your Oil

Oil is the lifeblood of your engine, and running on the same oil for too long can produce problems which may turn out to be much worse than the cost of an oil change. Proper lubrication is absolutely essential for your engine’s health, so make sure to change that oil and oil filter often. You will typically want to change your oil every 3,000 miles.

The First Big Check-up: 15,000 miles

Your vehicle should have its first major checkup at around the 15,000 mile mark, or after about 12 months of ownership. At this stage, oil and oil filter will be changed, as well as your engine air filter and cabin air filter. Wiper blades will also likely need replacing at this point. These simple procedures are very important to remember, as they should be performed at every major maintenance interval.

30,000 Mile Check-up

When you bring your vehicle in at 30,000 miles, all the previously mentioned items need to be checked, along with a fresh fuel filter to keep you running smoothly. In addition, engine coolant, transmission and power steering fluid should also be replaced to ensure optimal operation, as these fluids can slowly break down over time and are less effective. The services performed at this check-up should be repeated every 30,000 miles.

The 45,000 Mile Mark

This checkup will be very similar to your initial servicing at 15,000 miles, including the basics like an oil change and new oil filter, but this servicing is primarily to address your vehicle’s ignition system. Spark plugs are often neglected by many motorists, but are essential for smooth operation and general engine health. Failing to replace spark plugs after about 3 years can result in undesirable behavior from your engine, like misfires, and possibly something more severe such as dead cylinders. At this point you will also want to replace your vehicle’s brake fluid, and the brake pads and rotors should also be checked and replaced as necessary.

60,000 Mile Service

At 60,000 miles, the 30,000 mile service should be repeated, along side checking one very important component – timing belt. The timing belt regulates critical internal engine components such as valves and cams, and can cause catastrophic damage to an engine if it breaks, so make sure this item is checked and double checked. Over time, the engine’s battery will lose some of its charge. To help prevent the possibility of ending up stuck in a parking lot, it is a good idea to equip your vehicle with a fresh battery at around 60,000 miles or about 4 years, or earlier if you notice problems. After 3-4 years a battery’s ability to hold a charge becomes questionable, and there is very little notice when it finally decides to fail, so an old battery needs to be replaced promptly.

Regular and proactive vehicle maintenance is no doubt an inconvenience, however by following this guide you can easily remember what your vehicle’s needs will be and anticipate which services you will need beforehand. Not only does regular maintenance result in a more pleasant driving experience for you, but keeping your vehicle’s internals in shape can lead to higher resale value if the time comes to sell.

Author Bio: Mac Allen is the owner of Texaco Xpress Lube in Kernersville, NC, providing first class oil change and general vehicle service to the Piedmont Triad.

Category: Automotive
Keywords: vehicle maintenance,proactive vehicle maintenance,vehicle service intervals,oil change kernersville