The Car Maintenance Schedule Everyone Should Follow

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As one of the most valuable items you’re likely to own, it’s crucial to prioritize car maintenance. Adhering to a regular car maintenance schedule helps lower the probability of your vehicle breaking down or developing significant wear and tear. It also ensures your car runs smoothly and efficiently. Your car owner’s manual is your best reference for your vehicle’s specific maintenance schedule, which depends on your make and model, the driving conditions, and the age of your vehicle. Here is a general guideline to help get your car maintenance schedule on track.

Things to Check Regularly Every 1 to 3 Months

Depending on car usage, regular maintenance at home is required to keep your vehicle in good condition. The following should be checked at least once every three months to keep your vehicle operating safely.

Essential Fuel Levels

From fuel to engine lubrication, adequate fluid levels are essential for a healthy engine. For new vehicles, monthly fluid inspections may be unnecessary. However, if your vehicle is a little older, erosion and leaks are more likely, meaning regular checks are more important. Some key fluid levels to check include:

• • Engine oil
• • Windshield wiper fluid
• • Engine coolant
• • Brake fluid
• • Transmission fluid
• • Power steering fluid

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Tire Wear and Tear

Worn tires can cause a blowout while you’re driving. This is extremely dangerous, contributing to 75,000 accidents and 400 deaths every year. Ensure you check the condition of your tires regularly and avoid driving on bald or damaged tires. To check the tire tread depth, use the penny test. Slide a penny upside down into the tread ridge. If Lincoln’s head is visible, your tires are showing signs of wear. Tire pressure can be checked at most gas stations. It is measured in pounds per square inch (PSI). The recommended PSI is generally displayed on a sticker on the inside of the door on the driver’s side.

Lights

Driving with broken lights can be dangerous for you and other road users. If you don’t inspect your lights regularly, you won’t recognize a problem until you’re driving in the dark, which could cause an accident or result in a ticket.

Windshield Wipers

Visibility is critical for safe driving. Worn wipers can smear and smudge dirt and stains on your windshield, obstructing your view. As a relatively cheap car part, replace worn or damaged wipers immediately.

Battery Health

To avoid being stranded with a dead battery, keep your battery in good condition. Invest in a multimeter to ensure it is fully operational.

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Service Your Vehicle Every 6 Months

Servicing is one of the most important car maintenance tasks. It’s recommended that a driver services their vehicle once every six months. If you drive more regularly, consider getting a service after every 10,000 miles. This helps keep your engine in good condition and ensures essential components such as the oil and air filters are changed, especially as the seasons change. A common mistake by car owners is that they think their car doesn’t need to be serviced if they don’t drive very often. Idle vehicles can deteriorate even faster than regularly driven cars. Some of the inspections and work carried out in a full service include:

• • Engine oil change
• • Air filter replacement
• • Inspecting lights, tires, exhaust, brakes, and steering
• • How the engine is running
• • Inspection of fluid levels
• • Inspection of the overall cooling system
• • Suspension inspection
• • Car battery tests

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Long-Term Considerations

Annually or every 10,000 miles, car owners should check on parts often forgotten in routine maintenance. These parts require an annual checkup:

• • Brake system components such as brake fluid, rotors, and pads
• • Transmission fluid
• • Fuel filter
• • Spark plugs should be changed every two years
• • Timing belt needs changing every 60,000 to 90,000 miles

Invest in a Car Cover for Year-Round Protection

A car cover is the best way to protect a car’s exterior from damage due to weather, loose debris, or moisture. CarCovers.com provides a wide range of custom car covers shaped to fit the exact dimensions of different makes and models. If your local climate experiences a lot of rain or humidity, our Platinum Shield covers are water- and snow-resistant, outperforming 5-layer covers. Although they offer excellent protection from water, these covers are year-round performers and come with a lifetime warranty.

The Ultimate Shield cover offers heavy-duty sun protection. It is chemically treated to reduce the effects of UV damage from the sun. Due to its durability, this cover is perfect for combating the effects of bird droppings, acid rain, loose debris, and other harmful environmental pollutants. The Ultimate Shield cover is semi-custom, meaning it can be adjusted to fit the exact dimensions of your vehicle. As well as protecting the exterior, car covers help prevent moisture from gathering or leaking in the engine, reducing the risk of rust damage.

Keep Your Car Protected

To keep the exterior in good condition and add extra protection to the engine and chassis, drivers should invest in a quality car cover. Not only can it protect your vehicle from scratches and weather elements, but it can also prevent moisture from rusting car components. At CarCovers.com, we provide semi-custom and custom covers that are developed for specific car models and vehicles. Each of our covers comes with a market-leading warranty, ensuring quality.