How often should I service my car?

It depends on the car and how you drive. Most jobs are due by miles or by months, whichever comes first. The intervals here are typical ones. Your owner's manual has the schedule for your exact vehicle, and it wins.

What if I drive in tough conditions?

Short trips, stop-and-go traffic, towing, dusty roads and extreme heat or cold count as severe service, and most jobs come up sooner. Which schedule are you on?

Do electric cars need this?

An EV skips the engine jobs but still needs tires, brake fluid, a cabin filter and a 12V battery. See the EV list.

Free checklist

The car maintenance checklist

Every recurring job a typical gas car needs, system by system, with how often to do it. Print it, save the PDF, or let Tagwell Auto remind you by date and by miles.

Download the PDF Get reminders in Tagwell Auto

These are typical intervals for a gas car in normal use, not your owner's manual. Your manual wins. Where a job lists miles and months, do it at whichever comes first.

Whole vehicle

Check washer fluid, coolant and brake fluid levels every month
Look under the vehicle for leaks every month

Engine and oil

Check the oil level every month
Change engine oil and filter (full synthetic) every year or 7,500 mi
Replace engine air filter every 2 years or 20,000 mi
Inspect serpentine belt and hoses every 2 years or 30,000 mi
Replace spark plugs (iridium) every 100,000 mi

Transmission and drivetrain

Change transmission fluid (automatic) every 60,000 mi

Brakes

Brake inspection (pads, rotors, lines) every year or 12,000 mi
Flush brake fluid every 3 years

Tires and wheels

Clean and protect the wheels every month
Check tire pressure, including the spare every month
Check tread depth (penny test) every 3 months
Rotate tires every 6 months or 6,000 mi
Wheel alignment check every year
Check the spare, jack and locking lug key every year

Suspension and steering

Inspect suspension and steering every year

Battery and electrical

Test the 12V battery every year
Clean battery terminals every year
Check key fob batteries every 2 years

Cooling

Replace coolant (long-life) every 5 years or 100,000 mi

Heating and AC

Replace cabin air filter every year or 15,000 mi

Lights

Walk-around: lights, signals, brake lights and reverse every month
Clean the headlight lenses every 6 months

Wipers and glass

Clean the glass inside and out every month
Check the wiper blades every 3 months
Replace wiper blades every year

Body and paint

Wash the exterior every 2 weeks
Wax or seal the paint every 3 months

Interior

Empty the trash and clutter every week
Vacuum the interior every 2 weeks
Wipe the dash and touch surfaces every 2 weeks
Clean the floor mats every month

Safety gear and emergency kit

Test the horn, parking brake and seat belts every 6 months
Check the first aid kit every 6 months
Restock the emergency kit every year

Documents and compliance

Check for recalls every 3 months
Back up the service records every 3 months
Renew insurance every 6 months
Renew registration every year
Review the insurance policy and shop rates every year