Your dentist asks you to come in every six months for a check-up and cleaning. Kids receive regular shots and physicals throughout childhood. What about your car? It also needs regular maintenance for a healthy life. This can be hard to track and keep current. For routine maintenance in Conway, AR, establish a schedule for your vehicle. Following are the approximate recommendations for maintenance:
- Wear-and-tear items: Some items on your car inevitably wear down and need to be replaced. It is important for your safety as well as the health of your car to install new parts as these deteriorate. Switch out windshield wiper blades every six to 12 months. Get a new battery every five years. Put new brake pads on every 50,000 miles. Change your tires every 45,000 miles. Keep a log in your glove compartment where you can document when you change out these items.
- Every 5,000 miles: An overall inspection should be completed roughly every 5,000 miles. This includes oil and filter replacement. The old rule of thumb for oil changes was every three months or 3,000 miles; however, with newer cars and synthetic oils, the miles between oil changes has extended to closer to 5,000 miles. Check your manufacturer’s recommendations for your car. In addition to the oil change, all fluids, wipers, tires and lights should be checked at this point.
- 15,000 to 30,000 mile tune-up: Many items last through several oil change cycles, but must eventually be replaced. Your air filter should be changed every 15,000 miles. The battery and coolant should be inspected every 20,000 miles. After 25,000 miles, the fuel filter should be replaced. The air filter and power steering fluid should be changed every 30,000 miles. At some point in this range, the HVAC system and all suspension parts should also be inspected.
- 35,000 to 50,000 mile inspection: Every 35,000 miles, inspect your battery and replace as needed. Install new spark plugs and spark plug wires every 40,000 miles. Inspect the ignition system at 40,000 miles and again at 45,000 and 50,000 miles.
- 60,000 mile maintenance: At this point, brake pads and brake fluids should be replaced. The radiator hoses, power steering fluid, coolant and timing belt are also ready for replacement. The HVAC should also be inspected. Check the tires for wear and replace if needed.
Stick to the schedule
It can be easy to miss these important milestones in the life of your car, but it is important to stay on top of the regular maintenance it needs. This will provide a smoother running vehicle and save you money in the long run as you avoid more expensive repairs.
To help maintain this schedule, your technician can provide you with a maintenance log to keep in your car. A sticker on your windshield can remind you of your next needed maintenance date. Your owner’s manual is the best reference to determine when these recommended tune-ups should be completed. Another great source is your trusted mechanic. For additional assistance with your routine maintenance in Conway, AR, contact the experts at Riverdale Automotive.