The Ultimate Car Maintenance Checklist
Updated on Jun 6, 2024
“With great power comes great responsibility.” We’re not talking about Spider-Man. We’re talking about your car. Owning and driving a car comes with plenty of responsibility. This is a major investment, so you should do everything you can to protect and retain the value of your vehicle. You also have an obligation to your fellow drivers to take care of your car. Falling behind on maintenance can lead to traffic accidents and delays that affect everyone around you.
It’s best to simplify the maintenance process so it becomes a part of your regular routine. You can train yourself to look out for potential issues and warning signs every time you get behind the wheel. As time goes on, this will feel like second nature. Whether you plan on making these repairs yourself or taking your car to your local mechanic, it’s about getting to know the ins and outs of your vehicle.
The best maintenance is preventative. Start improving your ride today and use this comprehensive guide to create the ultimate car maintenance checklist.
Why Car Maintenance is a Must
There are so many reasons to regularly maintain your car. Maintenance doesn’t mean repairs. If you wait until your car breaks down to open the hood or check your tire pressure, you’re missing the point.
It’s best to check the various components of your vehicle on a regular basis so you can address certain issues before they turn into costly repairs. In most cases, replacing a part and using lube and other car maintenance products is much cheaper than waiting until the problem spreads to the rest of your vehicle like some type of cancer.
The benefits are clear:
You can increase and maintain the overall value of your car if you plan to sell it or trade it in down the line, helping you get more bang for your buck.
The car will be more reliable and you won’t have to worry about running late, missing important appointments or getting stuck on the side of the road. If you like to go off-road, car maintenance becomes all the more essential. If your car breaks down, you could get stranded in a remote area.
The roads will be safer. Proper care reduces the chances of automobile and traffic accidents. You won’t have to pay as much for repairs, insurance premiums or worry as much about accidentally injuring yourself or someone else on the road. Motor vehicle crashes remain a leading cause of death in the United States., with approximately 38,000 people dying every year.
The environment will be cleaner. Not maintaining your car can affect gas mileage, which will cost you at the pump. This accelerates the use of fossil fuels across the country, a major contributor to climate change. Inefficient vehicles can also lead to pollution that affects air quality, which can lead to asthma and respiratory diseases.
How Much do I need to Spend?
The good news is that maintaining your car will save you money in the long run, even if it means spending a little extra time inspecting your vehicle. You may also have to invest in some tools or equipment, car care supplies and other accessories that will help protect your vehicle.
According to ConsumerAffairs.com, the average car costs around $900 per year to repair and maintain. You can start putting some money aside for additional maintenance. If you are adamant about preventing accidents and repairs, you should be able to get away with spending even less on maintenance in the future.
Creating a Preventative Maintenance Checklist
Before we go over some general tips, remember that every car comes with its own unique considerations. Maintaining your car also depends on where and how you drive. If you love to go off-roading, you will likely have a different set of priorities than a suburban driver commuting in and out of the city.
Check the Owner's Manual
The first step is to blow the dust off your owner’s manual – if you can find it, that is. Most of us don’t pay too much attention to this vital document. It usually just sits in the glove box or garage for years on end.
But now is the time to crack it open. The company may point out certain problem areas or tips that you can use to inspect your vehicle. It may include specific accessories or adjustments that you should make to your vehicle to help it last as long as possible.
You should also look up the expected life of the vehicle, including how often it tends to need repairs, how many miles other drivers have gotten out of it, etc. The internet has no shortage of threads and blogs devoted to car aficionados. Connect with owners of the same make and model to see what they recommend.
Watch Your Driving
Everyone has their own driving habits. The safer you drive, the better off your car will be. Use these driving tips to stay safe behind the wheel. Put down your phone, be mindful of the road, keep your distance from other drivers and reduce your speed.
Get in the habit of monitoring your vehicle while you’re behind the wheel. If you notice any strange sounds or noises when traveling down the same roads, make a mental note. You may learn to avoid certain roads or areas if they start to damage your vehicle.
Keep an eye out for warning lights and understand what they mean. This includes:
Check engine light: This means something is wrong with the motor of your vehicle. It can represent over 4,000 potential issues so you’ll probably have to do some detective work under the hood.
Service engine light: This is usually just a reminder that it’s time to service your vehicle based on the manufacturer’s guidelines or the included software.
Electrical fault light: Your vehicle’s electrical system isn’t working properly when this light appears. It could be a small connection or a major outage. The culprit is usually an alternator that is failing.
Brake warning light: This usually means the brake lights have been disconnected or that you need to add more brake fluid to your vehicle.
ABS warning: ABS stands for anti-lock braking system, which keeps your car stable when stopping. This light means the system needs an adjustment.
Coolant warning light: This means your engine is overheating. Pull over and let it cool down before you keep going. Don’t open the radiator cap for the cooling system until the engine has had a chance to cool off.
Oil warning light: This means your car is running low on oil. You’ll need to add more right away or you could severely damage your engine.
Conduct Regular Inspections
Regardless of what type of vehicle you own, it’s best to set a schedule for inspecting your vehicle based on your initial research. It’s best to do a complete check-up at least once a year. Some states require annual safety inspections as well, such as Massachusetts and New York, so be sure to read up on local and state laws as well.
If you tend to put a lot of miles on your vehicle, it’s best to increase the frequency of these inspections for safety purposes. If you love tearing up unpaved roads or crawling through the vast wilderness, you might want to inspect your vehicle every week or after every ride.
The same is true of the weather. Depending on the climate, you should inspect your vehicle before and after the winter season. You may want to add larger tires or make additional modifications to your vehicle if you need to drive long distances or through heavy snow, rain and ice.
Choose a maintenance schedule that’s right for you. Be sure to include specific steps and items that need inspection so you don’t miss anything.
Tire Pressure
Driving is a constant battle against low tire pressure, especially if you love to leave the pavement behind. Passing over rocks, gravel and uneven surfaces will wear away at tire pressure over time.
Get in the habit of checking tire pressure on a regular basis. Newer models come with a tire pressure monitoring system that will alert you if the tires get too low. You can use a tire pressure gauge to quickly collect this information. It’s always a good idea to double-check the automated system, as your car’s software may lose accuracy over time.
You can even use smart devices and apps that connect to the car’s tire pressure system for around-the-clock monitoring. This may be particularly important if you are a delivery driver or manage a fleet of vehicles. A slight mishap could lead to a flat when you least expect it.
Tire pressure also affects fuel economy. If you start running out of gas faster than normal, it may be a sign that your tires need some air.
Don’t forget to rotate your tires and check the alignment every year, depending on your driving habits. It’s best to rotate the tires every 5,000 miles or so.
Tire Tread
Depending on the weather and the condition of the roads, you may want to upgrade to all-weather or mud terrain tires. They come with deeper tread patterns than factory tires, which are specially designed to move water and debris away from your vehicle. This will help you keep the underbelly of your car safe and clean. Inspect your existing tires to see if the tread is up to the required standards.
Mud Flaps and Fender Flares
Excess moisture, mud and other forms of debris can do a number on the exterior of your vehicle, particularly the many components located under the car. Use fender flares and mud grabbers to keep the dirt off your vehicle. These rubber flaps are easy to remove and you can hose them off in just a few seconds. It’s best to put an extra layer of protection between the road and the belly of your vehicle.
Protecting the Inside of the Car
So many car owners overlook one of the most important parts of any vehicle: the interior. That’s where you spend your time, after all. Improving and maintaining the interior will help you make the most of your vehicle.
Invest in truck seat covers to protect the upholstery of the car from spills, leaks and other stains. This is vital if you have leather seats or small children who tend to make a mess in the backseat. They will also come in handy if you use your vehicle for work. From hauling heavy equipment to driving around with your dog to winning over new clients, you can quickly take off the covers, throw them in the wash and the interior will look as good as new. Cleaning out your car has never been so easy.
The same is true of the floor. Beverages, food, mud, dirt, snow and water will start to mark up the floor of your car, leading to nasty stains and dreadful odors. However, all that excess moisture can also lead to mold, mildew and costly electrical damage. Use waterproof rubber floor mats to protect the interior. You can drive to work with muddy boots and a big cup of coffee without worrying about ruining your floors.
You should also replace the air filter from time to time to improve the quality of the air you breathe. Rolling down the windows isn’t always an option in the summer and winter, so make sure your ventilation system isn’t blowing around the same airborne dirt and particles.
Use this as a launching pad when creating your own car maintenance checklist. Be sure to include specific information about the make and model. Every car comes with its own dos and don’ts. With a little training and the right tools, you can master the art of vehicle maintenance.
10 Basic Maintenance Tips for Your Vehicle
Don’t forget that April is National Car Care Month. Now is the time to give your car, truck or SUV some extra attention to ensure it is road ready for the summer. Basic maintenance is vital when it comes to the safety and dependability of your vehicle, plus it can help avoid costly repairs in the future.
“Neglected vehicle care almost always means much higher costs down the line in the form of more extensive repairs or lost resale value,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Chances are if you own a car, it needs some work. National Car Care Month in April is the perfect time to focus on your vehicle’s maintenance needs.”
There are many ways to take care of your vehicle and help prevent irreparable damage. The Car Care Council recommends 10 basic maintenance procedures to keep your car operating at its best:
Check the oil, filters and fluids. Oil should be checked at every fill-up and changed per the owner’s manual recommended intervals. Brake, transmission, power steering, coolant and windshield washer fluids should also be checked regularly. Your car’s filters, including those for the transmission, fuel system and interior ventilation, need regular inspection and replacement.
Inspect hoses at each oil change and have them replaced when leaking, brittle, cracked, rusted, swollen or restricted. Check V-belts and serpentine belts for looseness and condition, and have them replaced when cracked, frayed, glazed or showing signs of excessive wear. Typically replace the timing belt between 60,000 and 90,000 miles or the interval specified in the owner’s manual to avoid a breakdown or serious engine damage.
Check the engine brake system every year and have the brake linings, rotors and drums inspected at each oil change.
Check that the battery connection is clean, tight and corrosion-free. The battery should be securely mounted. If it is three years old or more, the battery should be tested and replaced if necessary.
Inspect the exhaust system for leaks, damage and broken supports or hangers if there is an unusual noise. Exhaust leaks can be dangerous and must be corrected without delay.
Schedule a tune-up that will help the engine deliver the best balance of power and fuel economy and produce the lowest level of emissions.
Check the car’s heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system as proper heating and cooling performance is critical for interior comfort and for safety reasons, such as defrosting.
Inspect the steering and suspension system annually, including shock absorbers and struts, and chassis parts, such as ball joints, tie rod ends and other related components.
Check the pressure of all tires, including the spare, at least once a month. Check the tread for uneven or irregular wear and cuts and bruises along the sidewalls. Have your car’s alignment checked at least annually to reduce tire wear and improve fuel economy and handling.
Test exterior and interior lights and have bulbs that are not working checked immediately. Replace windshield wiper blades every six months or when cracked, cut, torn, streaking or chattering for optimum wiping performance and safety.
The last recommended tip is to invest in a set of custom fit floor mats for the front seat and back seat of your vehicle. These replace the factory carpet mats and ensure that your floorboards are protected from spills, debris and everyday wear and tear.
This advice should help give you the peace of mind to embrace this summer and embark on that adventure you’ve always dreamed about.
Shop Now
Husky Liners is your source for automotive protection parts and accessories to enhance your personal or fleet vehicle for all of life's adventures.
Consoles and Organizers | Bug Shields | Rocker Panels | Wheel Well Liners | Vent Visors