#ROUTINE CAR MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST MANUAL#

Read our guide on the best places to buy tires. “Service after the sale is really important, especially if you live in a city with lots of potholes.” “Buying tires has never been so cost-competitive, so it’s very important to comparison shop,” Clark says. The key to getting a good deal on tires? Shopping around. How often should you replace your tires? According to the NHTSA, “Some vehicle and tire manufacturers recommend replacing tires that are six to 10 years old, regardless of treadwear.” As the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) explains, “If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, your tire has less than 2/32” of tread and you are ready for new tires.”Īlso, your tires need to be rotated periodically YourMechanic advises they be done every 6,000 to 8,000 miles. You can use the penny test: Place a penny between the ribs of the tire tread. You should also inspect the tread on your tires regularly. Not only is not having the correct tire pressure a safety issue, but properly inflated tires can improve your gas mileage up to 3%, according to the U.S. Make sure your vehicle has quality tires that are properly inflated.

How often does your vehicle need a wheel alignment? According to Kelley Blue Book, “every six months or 6,000 miles, whichever comes first.”įor specifics, check your vehicle’s manual, which may include recommended service times.Īn alignment can also help cut down on the wear and tear of your tires, which we’ll talk about next. “A properly aligned vehicle will allow your car to steer straightly, maintain its suspension geometry, and most importantly, maximize the life of your tires,” it says in Kelley Blue Book’s news release. A wheel alignment adjusts all four of your car’s wheels. As its name suggests, a front-end alignment involves only the front two wheels.

#ROUTINE CAR MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST MANUAL#

To be sure, consult the owner’s manual for your vehicle.įrom time to time, your car may need its alignment adjusted to make it more stable. How often should you get your oil changed? About every 3,000 miles is the consensus between Kelley’s Blue Book and YourMechanic.īut the latter source also says that while between 3,000 to 4,000 miles may be a good benchmark for older cars that use regular oil, vehicles that use synthetic oil can stand to go anywhere between 7,5000-10,000 miles between oil changes. Getting an oil change is one of the most practical things you can do for preventive maintenance when it comes to your vehicle’s engine. Now let’s explore each of these maintenance jobs in more detail and how they can benefit your car: 1. “Today, because of tremendous improvements in technology and intense competition, the quality of cars is so so so much better.” Vehicle Maintenance Schedule: How Many Miles Before Service? Replace/Inspectĥ Maintenance Tips To Keep Your Car Running Smoothly “Cars just keep getting better, and better, and better,” he says. But Clark says the odometer has less bearing on how a vehicle performs these days than in the past. If you have an older vehicle, you might be concerned about pouring more money into it. We’ll also share some tips from mobile mechanic site and vehicle valuation site Kelley Blue Book on how long you should wait until you service some key auto parts on your car. In this article, we’ll share a maintenance schedule you can follow to keep your car running smoothly. What can you do to keep your car on the road? Until that time comes, Clark has recommended that consumers invest in the upkeep of their current vehicles. vehicle market of late has been showing some encouraging signs for your wallet: New vehicle prices are starting to decrease and money expert Clark Howard says we can expect car prices to drop even further in the months ahead.

Routine car maintenance checklist