It is often said preventative medicine is the best type of medicine—mainly because it eliminates the need for it. The same can be said about vehicle maintenance. Once you blow a tire after neglecting to do regular, advisable maintenance, and it careens into oncoming traffic and totals your car, the damage is done. In fact, fixing that damage often costs more than the worth of the car itself.
To prevent this, get a vehicle inspection before your car breaks down. This guide will provide you with essential information needed to keep your vehicle in top condition, along with best practices and resources.
What is checked during vehicle maintenance?
During vehicle maintenance, your vehicle’s key components are thoroughly examined to make sure it operates safely and efficiently.
Mechanical complications that could have been ordinarily discovered in an inspection can have life-threatening consequences. For instance, a problem with a faulty steering system—normally caught in an annual inspection—could cause the driver to lose control and perish in a fatal, yet totally preventable, collision. That’s why it’s so important to keep all your vehicles up to date on their inspections.
During an inspection, a mechanic will also look for signs of wear and tear and the general overall condition of a vehicle. Are there any leaks? Does any fluid or oil need to be replaced? What condition are the brake pads in? These are all questions that might show up on a vehicle maintenance checklist. For example, these vehicle maintenance checklists cover the core components of vehicles, from the brakes to the lights.
Even small issues that don’t seem like a big deal, like replacing worn-out windshield wipers, can mean a matter of life and death, so it’s important to take these inspections seriously.
Main types of vehicle maintenance
Depending on your type of vehicle and usage, it should undergo maintenance checks regularly, usually every three months. More comprehensive maintenance should then be conducted every one to two years.
Here’s a rough timeline:
Let’s break down the main tasks for these. The timeline is roughly based on regular vehicle use, so adjust it as needed based on your driving habits and manufacturer recommendations:
Routine maintenance (every 3,000 to 7,000 miles)
Timeline: Every three to six months
Routine maintenance is quick and efficient, which makes it convenient for you to keep your car in good condition without spending too much time. Many service centers and dealerships offer combined service packages, allowing multiple routine maintenance tasks to be performed during a single visit.
Tasks:
- Oil and filter change – Over time, engine oil breaks down and becomes contaminated with dirt and debris, which weakens lubrication. During an oil change, the old oil is drained, the oil filter is replaced, and new oil is added.
- Tire rotation – The tires are moved from one position to another, such as front to back or side to side. This helps maintain even tread wear across all tires.
- Fluid levels check – Fluids include the engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, and windshield washer fluid. Each fluid reservoir should be inspected, and those with low levels are topped off. Some fluids, like engine oil and brake fluid, may also require periodic replacement to maintain effectiveness.
If you have the right tools and knowledge, it’s possible to do routine maintenance on your own.
Periodic maintenance (every 15,000 to 30,000 miles)
Timeline: Every one to two years
Periodic maintenance involves more detailed inspections and replacements that are crucial for the long-term health and performance of your vehicle. It allows you to identify potential issues before they become serious problems.
Tasks:
- Air filter replacement – The air filter prevents dirt, dust, and debris from entering the engine, ensuring that only clean air is used. It’s simple to remove the old filter and install a new one.
- Brake inspection – This involves checking the thickness of the brake pads, the condition of the rotors (looking for warping or excessive wear), and the level and quality of the brake fluid. Any worn or damaged components are replaced or serviced.
- Battery check – The voltage and overall health of the battery is checked using a multimeter or specialized battery tester. If the battery is found to be weak or failing, it should be replaced
Major maintenance (every 30,000 to 60,000 miles)
Timeline: Every two to five years
Once you’ve been using your vehicle for a while, it’s likely due for major maintenance. This requires more extensive inspections, and some components that have endured significant wear and tear might have to be replaced.
Tasks:
- Transmission fluid change – Transmission fluid lubricates the moving parts within the transmission, ensuring smooth gear shifts and preventing overheating. The old fluid should be drained, with the transmission filter possibly replaced, then new fluid is added in.
- Spark plug replacement – Worn or fouled spark plugs can cause misfires and poor engine performance, so new ones should be installed at this point.
- Coolant flush – Coolant (antifreeze) helps regulate the engine’s temperature, preventing overheating and freezing. A coolant flush involves draining the old coolant, flushing the cooling system to remove any debris or contaminants, and refilling it with fresh coolant.
- Timing belt replacement – The timing belt synchronizes the rotation of the crankshaft and camshaft so the engine’s valves open and close at the correct times. Sometimes, other components like the water pump may also be replaced.
Seasonal maintenance
Different seasons bring unique challenges that can affect various components of your vehicle, so you’ll also have to do some maintenance when preparing for winter and summer.
Here are some maintenance checks to do for winter:
- Check the antifreeze levels and the mixture’s effectiveness. Top off or replace the coolant if necessary.
- Test the battery’s voltage and overall health, since cold weather can reduce battery capacity.
- Check tire tread depth and consider switching to winter tires for proper traction on snowy roads.
- Inspect and replace worn wiper blades. Use winter-grade windshield washer fluid that won’t freeze.
- Test the heater and defrosters to ensure they can effectively clear the windshield and provide cabin warmth.
For summer, you’d perform different maintenance checks:
- Test the air conditioning system and recharge the refrigerant if needed.
- Check the coolant levels and top off if needed.
- Check tire pressure, as heat can cause it to increase, and inspect the tires for wear and damage.
- Test the battery’s health again to make sure the battery can handle the increased electrical load from air conditioning.
- Check and top off all essential fluids, including engine oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and windshield washer fluid.
Best practices for vehicle maintenance
Aside from the maintenance processes above, you can try out these additional tips to take good care of your vehicle:
- Keep a maintenance log. Track all maintenance activities, including dates and mileage. This helps you stay organized and ensures that no tasks are overlooked.
- Use quality parts and fluids. Always use high-quality oil, filters, and replacement parts for optimal performance and longevity.
- Follow manufacturer’s recommendations. Refer to your vehicle’s owner manual for specific maintenance schedules and recommendations tailored to your vehicle.
- Listen for unusual noises. Pay attention to any unusual sounds from your vehicle, such as squealing brakes or knocking engines, and address them promptly.
- Check tire pressure regularly. Maintain the correct tire pressure to ensure even wear and improve fuel efficiency. Check tire pressure at least once a month and before long trips.
- Keep your vehicle clean. Regularly wash and wax your vehicle to protect the paint and prevent rust. Clean the interior to maintain a comfortable and pleasant driving environment.
- Store your vehicle properly. If you don’t use your vehicle for extended periods, store it in a garage or cover it to protect it from the elements. Start it occasionally to keep the battery charged and fluids circulating.
By following these general maintenance tips, you can ensure your vehicle remains in excellent condition, providing you with reliable and safe transportation for years to come.
Using a vehicle maintenance log
A vehicle maintenance log documents the condition, repair, and scheduled work performed on an individual vehicle. It’s beneficial for preventive maintenance, safety, and record keeping.
An effective vehicle maintenance record-keeping program promotes driver safety, lowers maintenance costs, and even supports insurance claims.
During vehicle maintenance, record key data. Give important vehicle details such as car make and model, insurance information, and vehicle identification number to the mechanic or inspector responsible for working on your car. Document all inspections, maintenance, and repairs in detail by including the person who performed them, the date they were completed, and the mileage.
You can also set reminders such as when to check the brakes or replace the air filters. If a vehicle is involved in an accident, note any damage, repair costs, and replacement parts that were needed.
Create visuals by taking photos, since they can easily prove the condition of each vehicle prior to their maintenance. This is especially useful for necessary repair work and cost estimates, as well as insurance claims in the case of poor maintenance. Make sure that all photos related to the specific vehicle and the time of inspection are included in the insurance claim.
Advantages of a digital solution for vehicle maintenance logs
Lumiform is a web-based inspection software that provides companies with more than one template for the automotive maintenance schedule and general maintenance checklists.
Mobile inspections
- Paperless vehicle inspections and logs via any mobile device (works offline)
- Photo evidence of defects means less time spent writing
- No more paperwork or emails – all inspections are automatically saved online
Cloud-based record-keeping
- Online dashboard for easy access to all vehicle maintenance logs
- Easy export of all reports in PDF or Word format
- Share vehicle/car maintenance reports in real time
Vehicle maintenance schedule software
- Get automatic reminders for commercial vehicle maintenance schedules and other assigned tasks
- Online scheduling features: Keep track of all inspections
To get you started with digital documentation, we’ve compiled the best vehicle maintenance templates that you can download and customize for free.