How Many Miles For Car Maintenance?: Preventative Vehicle Care
Your vehicle is a vital part of your daily life, taking you from work to the grocery store, from doctor’s appointments to weekend getaways. Whether you’re gearing up to start your cross-country adventure or running errands across town, keeping your car healthy and ready to perform in top-notch condition is vital no matter where you go. At Aschenbach Chevrolet GMC, we’ve created this comprehensive guide to help you understand the general preventative car maintenance tasks that should be performed at around 10,000, 30,000, 60,000, and 90,000 miles to keep your car in peak condition. By following these guidelines, you’ll be able to stay on top of preserving your car’s overall performance, reliability, and safety. Visit our service center when you reach the next maintenance milestone in Wytheville, VA! Always consult your owner’s manual for specific maintenance schedules and recommendations.
Recommended Car Maintenance By Mileage
Routine Maintenance
Oil and Oil Filter: Modern vehicles often use synthetic oil, which can last between 5,000 and 10,000 miles. Regular oil changes are crucial preventative car maintenance tasks as they prevent the accumulation of metal particles, dirt, and carbon that can cause engine wear. Regularly check the oil level and top it off as needed.
Engine Air Filter: It is important to check and replace the engine air filter every 15,000 to 30,000 miles as part of regular maintenance. This helps ensure optimal vehicle performance and follows manufacturer recommendations.
Tires: Get your tires checked for tread depth and proper inflation. Under or over-inflated tires can lead to increased fuel consumption and uneven wear, resulting in prematurely needing new tires or potentially even risking a flat or blowout. At Aschenbach Chevy GMC, have your tires rotated by our master technicians every 6,000 to 8,000 miles to ensure even wear.
Mileage-Based Maintenance Before 30,000 Miles
Air Filter: A clean air filter ensures your engine breathes properly, enhancing performance and fuel efficiency. Change out the air filter of your vehicle every 15,000 to 30,000 miles, especially if you drive in dusty or off-road conditions.
Fuel Filter: Don’t let your fuel filter get clogged, as this can cause your engine to run rough or not at all. Our experts advise that you have the fuel filter replaced every 30,000 miles, though this can vary depending on the vehicle. Please refer to your specific vehicle’s car maintenance schedule by mileage for a clearer look of when this should be performed.
At 30,000 miles, car owners should also inspect their HVAC system along with other components like brake pads, coolant, and radiator hoses.
Vehicle Maintenance Before 60,000 Miles
Battery: Car batteries typically last 4 to 5 years, correlating to about 50,000 to 60,000 miles for the average driver. Check your battery’s charge and clean the terminals as preventative car maintenance regularly to prevent corrosion.
Brake System: Replace the brake fluid every 20,000 to 45,000 miles to prevent moisture contamination. Regularly check brake pads and shoes, as they usually need replacement around 50,000 miles. Inspect brake rotors at 60,000 miles for wear or warping and replace or resurface them as needed.
Suspension: It is also important to inspect and maintain suspension components along with other essential parts of the vehicle at 60,000 miles.
Coolant: Replace your engine coolant every 60,000 miles. This prevents your engine from overheating and developing severe damage. When bringing your vehicle in for this preventative car maintenance task, ensure that the technician flushes the cooling system during replacement.
Transmission Fluid: For manual transmissions, change the fluid between 30,000 and 60,000 miles. Automatic transmissions vary widely, with some requiring fluid changes from 30,000 to over 100,000 miles. Always consult your vehicle’s manual for specific recommendations.
Car Maintenance Before 90,000 Miles
Hoses: Inspect and replace hoses that carry coolant, power steering fluid, and air conditioning gases as they age and crack. These are essential fluids, and overtime, your vehicle’s hoses may crack and leak, leading to significant issues. This preventative car maintenance task helps to prevent unexpected breakdowns.
Air Conditioning: The air conditioning compressor is another critical component that can fail, especially in older vehicles. Its failure can severely impact the cooling system, particularly during the summer months.
Power Steering Fluid: Smooth and effortless steering is important, and replacing the power steering fluid around 75,000 miles ensures your steering remains responsive and quiet, avoiding costly repairs down the road.
Spark Plugs/Ignition Systems: Spark plugs ignite the fuel-air mixture in your engine, and when plugs are worn down, this can lead to misfires and reduced efficiency. Depending on the type of spark plugs, replacements may be needed anywhere from 30,000 to 100,000 miles. Regular inspections and preventative car maintenance can divert performance issues and ensure smooth engine operation.
Timing Belt: The timing belt keeps your engine’s camshaft and crankshaft in sync and if it fails, it can cause severe engine damage. Vehicles with timing belts should be replaced between 75,000 and 90,000 miles. Timing chains generally last longer but should still be inspected regularly for signs of wear.
Always Consult Your Owner’s Manual
While the intervals mentioned are general guidelines, your vehicle’s owner manual provides a more specific maintenance schedule tailored to your car. It is important to inspect the ignition system along with the spark plugs and spark plug wires every 40,000 to 50,000 miles as part of routine vehicle maintenance. Following these recommendations can significantly extend your vehicle’s lifespan and enhance its performance. Each car is unique, and adhering to manufacturer guidelines ensures optimal performance.
High Quality Care Means High Quality Performance
By adhering to a preventative car maintenance schedule, you can prevent having to pay a significant amount of money out of pocket for repairs and support the life and performance of your vehicle for years to come. Regular maintenance not only protects your vehicle investment but also provides peace of mind, knowing that your vehicle is well cared for. At Aschenbach Chevy GMC, our professional service team is dedicated to helping you keep your car in excellent condition. Our expert technicians can care for all of your maintenance needs and give your car the care it deserves, whether that’s a simple oil change or a comprehensive inspection. Schedule your appointment and visit us in Wytheville, VA, today!
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