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Automotive Maintenance Schedule Recommendations
This schedule is appropriate for most American, European and Japanese automobiles. As always, consult your owner's manual for specific items related to your make and model. Information and instructions in your owner's manual supercede this schedule, which means that if your manual recommends replacing the timing belt at 50,000 miles, do not wait until the 60,000 mark as shown in this matrix. This guide is meant to supplement the manufacturer recommendations for your specific vehicle, and should not replace such recommendations. Wherever possible we have given recommendations of aftermarket products that we have found to be reliable and in our opinion, of good quality. These recommendations were added to inform the vehicle operator of products that may or may not be suitable for their specific vehicle. We recommend these products as helpful insight and from personal experiences. This guide may be reprinted in its entirety with all resources and links in place. Brought to you by www.TrustMyMechanic.com the honest mechanic working for YOU! The following matrix covers maintenance items from 70,000 to 120,000 miles. Click on the mileage interval for your vehicle to go to a checklist for that specific schedule. 15 (15,000) 20 (20,000) etc. Maintenance Interval (in
thousands of miles)
R=Replace I=Inspect
For 15,000-60,000 schedule Click here
Explanations of Recommendations 1. Air filter - Replace the air filter about every 15,000 miles for normal driving conditions. A dirty air filter will not cause the engine to run bad, stall, or misfire. A dirty filter can cause reduced fuel economy and higher exhaust emission gases. Fram filters offers air, fuel, oil, pcv and interior cabin filters for most cars and trucks. We have been using Fram filters in my shop for years and they are probably one of the most recognizable aftermarket filter brands on the market. 2.
Antifreeze/Coolant - Replace: Drain and flush old coolant from the radiator and reservoir bottle, inspect the heater and radiator hoses and clamps for replacement, and install a new radiator cap. A vented replacement radiator cap safely removes hot steam from the radiator and makes emergency road side coolant inspections easier and safer. Prestone antifreeze is what we use at my and is probably one of the most trusted brands on the market. Prestone also offers a variety of radiator flush equipment and additives. 3.
Battery - Check terminals and cables--loose
or dirty battery cables are a common "no start" condition. Cable
ends and battery terminals should be cleaned with a wire brush and
light sand paper periodically to remove any corrosion build up.
Battery terminal protecting spray coatings can also be helpful
in reducing the formation of corrosion. I have used A/C Delco batteries
for many years and find them to be very dependable and 100% maintenance
free. Battery Load - Battery "load" is how much load or drain can be placed on the electrical system before the battery begins to discharge itself. Think of it as how much electricity the battery can store before having to be recharged. It is not uncommon for batteries to go completely "flat" or discharged without ever giving a warning signal to the operator. Have the mechanic check the battery condition and load levels at every oil change interval if the battery is over 2 years old to ensure the battery will not leave you unexpectedly stranded. A weak battery that is not storing enough power will cause the alternator to work harder and possibly cause premature alternator failure. Dirty or corroded battery terminals can severely reduce the lifespan of the battery and alternator. A quick and inexpensive battery check and cable inspection can be done at each oil change. The replacement battery should be the same size, have the same battery cable connections, and should be the same electrical capacity as the original battery 4. Belts - Check for worn or loose belts. Belts should be replaced if they are worn on the edges, frayed, or cracked. Do not spray silicone or WD40-type chemicals on a noisy belt-it will usually just make the noise worse. Check the tension on each belt, and see if anything is rubbing or coming in contact with it. I have been using Gates belts, radiator and heater hoses and timing belts for years and highly recommend them for aftermarket replacement rubber components. 5.
Brakes- Replace: Brake fluid retains moisture and should be flushed and re-bled (remove the air from the system) to keep brakes working effectively. Check brake pad and shoe wear. Don't wait until you hear grinding noises to have the brakes inspected. Have brakes checked periodically for wear. Some warning signs of brake problems are: noises when brakes are applied, the steering wheel shakes when brakes are applied, needing to add more than 2 oz of brake fluid to the brake fluid reservoir, a soft or squishy brake pedal, or the brake pedal goes to the floor slowly while brakes are applied. 6.
Differential Fluid - (A rear
differential is only found on rear wheel drive cars and trucks.) Replace: Drain and flush the rear end fluid periodically to remove any metal filings that have normally accumulated in the differential housing. Replace the differential cover gasket and add any recommended supplemental additive prescribed in the owner's manual. I have been using Wynn's differential fluid additives for years and strongly believe in their line of fluid additives. 7. Fuel Filter - Fuel filters become clogged with dirt and debris during normal operation and should be replaced to increase performance, extend fuel pump life, and aid in fuel economy. 8.
Radiator and Heater Hoses - Replace: Replace all water hoses including heater, bypass, and radiator hoses at the same time. The coolant and radiator cap should also be replaced at this time. Visit the Gates Rubber Company online part catalog for more information on their great line of rubber products www.Gates.com 9.
Engine Oil - Replace:
Change oil and filter. Check all fluids, tires and air pressure,
air filter, belts and hoses and spare tire condition when changing
the engine oil. This is also a great time to clean the corrosion
from the battery cables. Check owners manual for specific oil recommendation.
Inspect: Check level. Power steering fluid can either be pink or clear in color, usually only a very small amount is needed to top off fluid level. If more than 2 oz. is needed, have the system checked for leaks or wear. Replace: Power steering fluid just like any other fluid becomes dirty and contaminated and should be replaced with clean fluid periodically. Dirty power steering fluid can cause the power steering pump or the power steering gear assemblies to fail and can cause premature wear to occur. 11.
Shock Absorbers and Struts - Replace: Replace all four shocks/struts at the same time to get maximum benefit and drivability. In some cases a wheel alignment should be performed after new struts are installed. 12. Spark Plugs - Worn or faulty spark plugs can cause misfire, poor fuel mileage, loss of power, and slow or extended starting time. Spark plug wires should be replaced when replacing spark plugs. Autolite spark plugs offer spark plugs for just about anything with an engine. Tough, dependable and affordable, Autolite spark plugs have been in my parts house for as long as I can remember. 13. Spark Plug Wires - Spark plug wires should be replaced when replacing spark plugs to get maximum performance and life expectancy of spark plugs. Consider using Autolite plugs and wires during your next vehicle tune up. 14.
Tires --
15. Transmission
Fluid - 16.
Windshield Wipers
--
17. Windshield
Washer Fluid
- Check level. Anti-freezing and water repelling
additives can also be added to the washer fluid reservoir. Not only
will washer fluid aid in removing dirt from the windshield, but
also it will act as a lubricant to prolong the life of the wiper
blade. Adding rubbing alcohol to the washer fluid can be harmful
to the rubber on the wiper blades. 18. ExteriorCare- Regular car washes can remove air borne chemicals through "acid rain" that get deposited onto the paint surface, and dull the layer of "clear coating" that is meant to protect the paint and help promote shine and luster. Car wash soap should be used and not dish or household soaps, as their chemical makeup can damage the clear coat. Semi-annual waxing of the exterior paint surface will help to protect this important clear coat. A new wax that seems to be taking the car detail market by storm is www.5-StarShine.com The only paint protectant with a 5 year guarantee. Just spray your car with water and the dirt washes off. 5 Star is the slipperiest substance on Earth! On sale now. 19. Timing Belt - Replace as scheduled if applicable for your vehicle. Timing belts are commonly used on Japanese cars. The timing belt is a rubber belt that drives the engine's internal components. The timing belt is not easily visible and should be replaced at the indicated mileage and time not on visual wear like a normal drive belt. If the timing belt breaks, the engine stops and costly internal engine damage can occur. The water pump on some vehicles is driven by the timing belt, and should be replaced when replacing the timing belt. Consult owner's manual or ask the repair shop if this is the case on your car. 20. Distributor Cap/Ignition Rotor - These items should be inspected/replaced when replacing spark plugs and spark plug wires, or when a "major tune-up" is called for. The distributor cap is where the other end of the spark plug wires connect to, and the ignition rotor in underneath the distributor cap. Some newer model vehicles do not have a distributor at all. These cars are designed with Distributorless Ignition Systems (D.I.S.), and therefore do not have these parts. 21. Lights and Bulbs - Save yourself the hassle of failing a vehicle inspection or being pulled over by the police for a tail or brake light bulb out. Have all lights checked when performing a regular engine oil change. 22. A/C Refrigerant Level and Pressures - Air conditioning refrigerant commonly known as "Freon" should be checked for proper pressures and level of refrigerant oil periodically. Low Freon and refrigerant oil levels can cause premature wear on air compressors, and decrease overall performance of the a/c system. Although the a/c system is a sealed unit, it is not uncommon to have to add small amounts of refrigerant (Freon) periodically due to small leaks and seepage. Freon is a gas that is under high pressure and should only be serviced by a trained professional. 23. CV Boots and CV Joints - Used mostly on front wheel drive cars, Constant Velocity (CV) joints are shafts that connect the transmission to the wheels with knuckle joints on either end of the shaft. The shafts provide the power to turn the wheels by linking the transmission to the wheel. There are two shafts and four joints on most front wheel drive cars. CV boots are made of pliable rubber to cover the CV joint. Torn CV boots allow grease meant to lubricate the joint to escape, and allows dirt and debris to enter inside the joint. A worn CV joint usually produces a clicking noise from the wheel area on hard turns. Drive
Shaft and U-Joints
- Rear wheel drive cars and trucks have
drive shafts in place of CV joints that are found on front wheel
drive cars. The drive shaft links the transmission to the rear differential
to provide power to turn the wheels. Most drive shafts have two
or three U-joints connecting the shaft to the transmission and rear
differential. The shaft and joints should be checked for wear during
regular engine oil changes. Some U-joints can and should be greased
during the "grease job" portion of the oil change. 24. Front End Alignment - The front end components of a vehicle can be out of alignment, but not give any indication or warning signs. Shimmying and shakes in the front end are usually not caused by the car being "out of alignment," but by out of balance or lack of rotation with the tires. The vehicle pulling to one side, or unusual tire wear are the two most common "out of alignment" warning signs. Check the alignment and all wearable parts in the front end periodically. Always have the front end aligned when replacing tires. A front end alignment is commonly referred to as a "four wheel alignment" these days. Some adjustments to the rear alignment are available on most newer model vehicles, thus the term four wheel alignment.
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