Car maintenance is incredibly important to keep your car in good working condition. While maintenance services can be costly at the time, vehicle owners benefit in the long run from having regular service intervals for their cars. But how often should you get your car serviced? Is there a specific time that is best, or does it differ per car?
In this post, we’re going to take a look at the answers to all of these questions to help you better understand when you should get your car serviced and why it should be done in the first place. Take a look below to learn more.
Car Maintenance Schedule: How Long Should I Leave Between Each Service?
Cars are made up of many parts that all need to be kept in good condition and will wear over time. A regular maintenance schedule is important. We have made it easy for you. We have broken down the preventative maintenance services that should be carried out monthly, quarterly, annually, and seasonally for your car.
Monthly Checkup
A monthly checkup is an easy way to keep on top of any potential issues. These checks you can make yourself without the need to go to a repair shop.
- Tires:
Inspecting your tires means checking the tire pressure and the tread wear. Your car owner’s manual will tell you the correct pressure to maintain. You should also check on your spare tire! - Lights:
People often forget that their lights need regular checking. You should check all lights, including high beam, brake, and turn signal lights to ensure they are all in working order. - Oil and coolant levels:
Being low on either of these can cause problems for your engine, so always make sure to check them each month. You should also give them a check before any long car journeys or road trips. - Windshield:
This is particularly important in the colder months when small cracks can split very quickly. You also need to check on your wiper blades and washer fluid.
Quarterly Checkup
We recommend going to see your mechanic at least every quarter for the following services. If you are familiar with vehicles, you may do the checks and services below yourself.
- Oil changes:
This is recommended every 3 months or every 5000 to 7500 km. If you’re using synthetic oil the time frame may increase to 6 months and 8000 to 10000 km. Always seek the help of a mechanic if you are unsure. Engine oil is incredibly important to your vehicle, so you don’t want to get this part wrong. - Fuel filter:
To protect your engine from dirt and contaminants, it is important that you replace the fuel filter. - Inspect belts and hoses:
Giving them a check, looking for small holes, cracks, or any other damage, will let you know when they need replacing. - Car battery and cables:
Check for corrosion or loose cables around your car battery.
Annual Checkup
Your annual checkup is an important one. We recommend seeing a licensed mechanic, even if you know what you’re doing, at least once a year.
Things that should be checked at an annual car service include:
- Cabin and engine air filter:
Both of these need to be changed so that neither you nor your engine is breathing in dust and dirt. - Tires:
A mechanic will rotate your tires annually so that they wear evenly. - Brakes:
Everything from your brake pads to your brake fluid levels should be checked each year to make sure they’re in full working order. - Hinge lubrication:
Squeaky hinges on your doors can actually be a sign of wear and tear. Make sure to lubricate them once a year to keep them working properly. - Transmission fluid and power steering fluid
: these may differ per car and you can usually find more details on how often they need to be changed in your car owner’s manual. However, a mechanic will likely check them over during a full maintenance service.
Seasonal Maintenance
Canada is known for its harsh winters. It’s best to be prepared. Below are a few things you need to check as the weather turns colder.
- Tire changes:
Once the temperature drops below 7 degrees Celsius, your normal tires become less pliant, making them more dangerous. At this point, you will need to switch to winter tires that have a better grip and are designed for icy, snowy, and cold conditions. - Wipers and washer fluid:
Ensure you change your wiper blades and washer fluid at the turn of the season.
Do I Always Need to Take My Car to the Auto Repair Shop? Can I Do Car Maintenance Myself?
We recommend seeing a licensed mechanic at least once a year. While there are definitely things that you can do yourself to maintain your car, it’s always good to have a licensed mechanic take a look at least once each year in case anything has been missed.
Why Does My Car Need to be Serviced?
From oil changes to air filter replacement and tire changes, servicing a vehicle can be costly and arduous, but routine maintenance is the best defence against a large repair bill. It gives you a chance to ensure everything is working well, but also to catch any damage or potential issues earlier on.
As a car owner, you know how important your vehicle is to your life. You don’t want it to suddenly break down one day. By ensuring you do regular vehicle maintenance, your car will always get you where you are going.
Final Thoughts
With regular maintenance checks, you will have peace of mind that your car is safe, you may avoid larger bills and you will ensure top trade-in value of your vehicle when the time comes to buy another vehicle.
Looking for a car dealership in Nova Scotia? Get in touch with Race Auto Group today!