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Scheduled Check-Ups

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Be honest--you usually go more than 3,000 miles without getting your oil changed. As you read this, it may have been 5,000 miles or more since your last oil change. You may be thinking, "I didn't even know I was supposed to get an oil change?" If that's the case, however, you're not alone. Despite the fact that most car manuals include a maintenance schedule, countless Americans have trouble remembering what they're supposed to do for their car every 3,000, 15,000, 60,000 miles, and beyond. Here's a brief summary:

• Every 3,000 miles--Change your oil. Some experts say that under ideal conditions you can wait up to 6,000 miles or more between oil changes, but how often do you drive under ideal conditions? In general, it's better safe than sorry; oil changes, after all, are never bad for your car, and they prevent sludge buildup in your engine.
• Every 7,500 miles--Rotate your tires and service your battery. Tire rotation helps to ensure even wear on your tires, and battery service includes checking and cleaning (and perhaps replacing) your battery.
• Every 15,000 miles--Replace filters and wiper blades; service the brakes, and flush the transmission fluid. Your car contains several filters, such as an air filter, fuel filter, and carbon canister filter, which clog over time. As for your brakes, they may not need to be replaced yet, but you definitely want to have them checked every 15,000 miles.
• Every 30,000 miles--Replace spark plugs; flush coolant and brake fluid; inspect fuel tank, cap, and lines. Many modern spark plugs do not need to be replaced this often, however, so check your owner's manual to find out about yours. The general rule on all these items is 30,000 miles or two years, so the easy way to remember it is: if you didn't get it done last year; have it done this year.
• Every 60,000 miles--Flush the power steering fluid, and replace the timing belt. In addition to replacing the timing belt, it's a good idea to inspect and/or replace all the drive belts and hoses.

This schedule will prevent many maintenance problems because you're responding to normal wear and tear and not just waiting for something to break. Of course, all the items listed above are only a general guideline. Take your car to the mechanic at these intervals and ask him to look in particular at these items. He'll tell you the urgency of each job and what else, if anything, needs to be done.

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