Regular preventative vehicle maintenance is the simplest and most inexpensive way to extend the life of your car. These easy and cheap check-ups can keep you safe on the road, improve mileage, reduce the expense of big repairs, and even support a cleaner environment.
However, how can you know the maintenance your car needs? And how often should you bring your car, truck, van, SUV back to the shop for a check-up?
The ASE Certified mechanics at Auto Repair Shop San Diego can help you set a maintenance schedule to help keep your car running–smoothly and efficiently.
How Often Should I Bring My Car in for Maintenance?
Our technicians prescribe a recommended maintenance schedule tailored to every make, model, and driver. The quickest way to get an estimated is to call our shop.
No matter your ride, there are some quick, inexpensive checks that you can do keep your car going strong:
- Fluid levels, including engine oil, transmission, brake, power steering, and windshield washer fluid
- Filters, like oil, fuel, and air
- Tire balance & rotation
- Wheel alignment
- Tire pressure & damage
- Lights & signals
- Brake pads
For more details about the maintenance and repairs your car may need, get a copy of your car’s owner’s manual–which can be found online.
Your manual provides recommended schedules for all types of standard maintenance your vehicle needs, from monthly checks to those you’ll only need to do once every 10,000 miles.
Standard Guidelines for Auto Maintenance
For nearly every car, some regular maintenance will be required, and it can help to know how often you should get your vehicle checked. With some planning, you can undergo all regular maintenance checks in just a single trip to the auto shop.
We provide pour recommended maintenance schedule, along with some other key tips, here. Remember that your car’s maintenance schedule may be different, so be sure to consult with your owner’s manual.
Preventative Maintenance Recommended Timing
- Oil Change – Every 3,000 miles
- Brake Fluid – Every 2 years
- Transmission Fluid – Every 25,000 to 30,000 miles
- Air Filter – Every 3 to 2 months
- Fuel Filter – Yearly
- Tire Pressure, Wear and Tear – Monthly
- Tire Balance & Rotation – Every 6,000 miles
- Wheel Alignment – Yearly
- Brake Check – Every 6,000 miles
- Check Lights & Signals – Monthly
- Inspect Belts & Hoses – Every 1 to 2 years
- Coolant – Every 30,000 to 50,000 miles
- Battery – Every 3,000 miles
Your owner’s manual may claim that you can wait longer between check-ups, but we recommend that you bring in your car for an oil change every 3,000 miles.
Every month or so — particularly before summer heat or winter chills — bring your car or truck into Auto Repair Shop San Diego to have your fluids checked. This includes brake fluid, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, windshield washer fluid, and antifreeze.
Your tires are where the rubber makes contact with the road. Deflated or damaged tires can reduce fuel efficiency and can lead to a blowout. Driving on severely deflated tires can also damage the rims, which is much more pensive than simply replacing a tire.
You have your lighting system checked regularly. Luckily, you can do this on your own or with a friend or loved one. Just turn on your vehicle and be sure that the headlights, brights/fog lights, turn signals, brake lights, and tailgating are all functioning. Cleaning lights and replacing dim or burnt-out bulbs will maximize your visibility behind the wheel, making sure you and your passengers are safe.
Pay attention to your windows, especially the windshield, for a crack that could impede visibility and increase the risk of a break.
Also, check windshield wiper blades at least once each year — ideally before long trips of heavy rain/snow — for cracks, tears, bends, and breaks. If you know snow is on the way, you can raise your wiper blades to stop them from freezing to the windshield.
Follow your car’s recommended maintenance schedule to keep your engine tuned. Just one faulty spark plug or fuel injector can reduce fuel efficiency.
Every 3,000 miles or so, check your battery–about the tie you need an oil change. Corrosion can form, and low battery fluid can impact performance.
Worn engine belts can tremendously impact the performance of your car, and a broken belt can stop you in your tracks entirely.
Auto Repair Shop San Diego Preventative Maintenance
Most preventative car maintenance can be finished in less than one to two hours when work is properly scheduled, and even unscheduled standard maintenance can usually be finished in the same day.
This includes:
- Check and replace engine oil and oil filters
- Check and replace fuel filters
- Inspect and replace air filters
- Tire balance & rotation
- Wheel alignment
- Inspect tires for wear & air pressure
- Check all lights & signals
- Check and refill windshield washer fluid
- Check and flush brake fluid
- Inspect and replace brake pads
- Check and flush power steering fluid
- Check and flush transmission fluid
- And more!
If this is your first time, bring your car into the shop and talk with your technician. If you are purchasing a new or used car, you should get a full inspection. This will help establish a set maintenance schedule and identify any serious repairs you may need later.
If you are purchasing a new vehicle or are trying to extend the life of your current car, give us a call at the Auto Repair Shop Sandigo for fast and reliable service.
Auto Repair Shops in California
Automobile Repair Shop San Diego is a family-owned and operated business that has been providing the best repair experience. We will offer you a hassle-free auto repair starting with a precise damage assessment or estimate. We will tow your vehicle for FREE to our shop, organize for a rental car, and work directly with the insurance company to streamline the repair process. We will even pay up to $500 of your deductible. Contact us today to see how we can help.