#Used car maintenance checklist install
#Used car maintenance checklist drivers
#Used car maintenance checklist manual
#Used car maintenance checklist professional

It’s also time to replace the spark plugs and install new tires. 60,000 milesĪll of the belts, valves and hoses should be inspected for wear and replaced, if needed. Head to the mechanic to take care of the rest, depending on the mileage. If your car is used, make sure you ask for maintenance records, so you know which services have been completed.

The average tire is designed to drive around 50,000 miles, but this can vary based on different factors. The exhaust system, muffler, catalytic converter and suspension components should also be inspected and worn parts should be swapped out. When your car hits 50,000 miles, you’ll need to replace worn parts such as brake pads install a new fuel filter and drain and replace the automatic transmission fuel and filter. The 50,000-mile service is a particularly important milestone in your car maintenance schedule. Take the car in for a checkup to make sure all of the systems covered under the “bumper to bumper” warranty, which may include suspension, heating and air conditioning and car audio, are in good working order. Whether you bought new or used, your manufacturer’s warranty likely expires after 36,000 miles. This is also a good time to have the coolant flushed and to check the entire coolant system for any leaks or damage.

#Used car maintenance checklist manual

Follow the instructions according to your vehicle’s manual to bleed the brake system’s old fluid and replace it with new fluid or take it in to your local mechanic for assistance. Keep your brakes working properly by changing the brake fluid sometime between 20,000 to 45,000 miles. Routine checks and fixes may start to cost a bit more, but preventative measures are almost always cheaper than repairs. Once you’ve put a number of miles on your vehicle, maintenance becomes more important than ever. Routine Car Maintenance: 30,000–60,000 miles If your brakes start squeaking, that’s a sign that your pads are wearing thin. Plan to replace the brake pads every 10,000 to 20,000 miles. It’s good practice to change the air filter every 15,000 miles or so, especially if you park or drive in a dusty environment. 15,000 milesĬhange the engine air filter. To cut down on trips to the mechanic for routine car maintenance, ask to have your tires rotated at every oil change. Continue rotating the tires every 6,000–8,000 miles to ensure even wear and to prolong the life of the treads. Opt for synthetic oil, which has a longer lifespan than conventional motor oil. If you drive an older, less efficient vehicle, the owner’s manual might recommend oil changes every 3,000 miles. Schedule an oil change every 5,000 miles. Keep your new car running like new for years to come by getting in the habit of performing regular maintenance. Here are the mileage milestones to watch for and what to check your car for when you hit them. Many car manufacturers recommend a 30-60-90 schedule, which means that certain items will need to be inspected, changed or replaced at 30,000, 60,000 and 90,000 miles. Doing so may negatively affect your vehicle’s handling and the life of the tire.Your car’s odometer can clue you in on when to perform necessary vehicle maintenance.

#Used car maintenance checklist professional

Otherwise, you should check with the tire manufacturer or a trusted professional directly to get an inflation recommendation-and that figure can vary depending on the ways in which you use your vehicle.ĭon’t inflate the tire to the pressure stamped on the tire sidewall that’s the maximum sustainable pressure. Check the pressure at least once a month. If your car still has its original tires, the correct pressure can be found in the owner’s manual or on the driver’s doorjamb. Incidentally, the TPMS light comes on only after a tire is 25% or more underinflated, which is dangerously low. (Gauges attached to the air hoses at gas stations are notoriously unreliable.)Ĭost to replace a set of tires: $500 or more.

#Used car maintenance checklist drivers

Yet according to a survey by Schrader International, a maker of TPMS components, 42% of drivers fail to identify the light when it comes on.Ĭost to properly inflate tires: $10–20 for a basic tire-pressure gauge. Tires low on air pose a safety risk, waste fuel, and can self-destruct.Ī tire-pressure monitoring system (TPMS) has been standard on cars since model year 2008 a dash warning light indicates loss of pressure in 1 or more tires (some systems even indicate which tire is low).