The car maintenance checklist

Vehicle upkeep can help prevent expensive repairs and retain a car’s value when it’s time to sell or trade it in, according to Kelley Blue Book (KBB). Some routine car care tasks can be done at home, while others may require a trained technician or mechanic. For instance, if your check engine light comes on, a mechanic can help diagnose the problem through the car's on-board diagnostics (OBD-II) with a scan tool – something the average person typically doesn’t have at home.

A qualified repair shop will also be able to inspect and replace other core components like the alternator, wheel bearings, etc. Scheduling regular tune-ups can help ensure that your car gets other maintenance items repaired as well before they lead to serious issues.

It’s good to bring your car in at least once a year for a check-up, according to KBB. Always refer to your vehicle owner’s manual for a more accurate maintenance schedule. But certain maintenance items may require more frequent or immediate check-ups, while others may only need inspection every couple of years, depending on your specific vehicle, adds KBB.

Depending on your specific car, certain maintenance can usually be done every 5,000 to 10,000 miles, according to Bankrate:

• Oil changes
• Tire rotation
• Wiper replacement
• Brake pad replacement

However, there are other things that will need immediate attention if they happen, to prevent major issues – some of these include:

• Check-engine lights
• Broken headlights
• Low tire pressure

Other car maintenance items may be examined less often, according to KBB. A few of these include:

• Vehicle battery
• Chassis, steering and suspension system lubrication
• Transmission fluid
• Fuel filter
• Spark plugs, plug wires, etc.
• Exhaust system

Here’s our full list of maintenance checks that can help keep your car in good shape, plus maximize your resale value if and when the time comes.

Knowing how to maintain your car's tire pressure can help reduce wear on the tires and helps ensure you're getting better gas mileage. Checking your tire pressure includes finding the recommended pressure in pounds per square inch (PSI), checking each tire and inflating or deflating them accordingly.

A flat tire is a hazard that can be dangerous to you and your car. There are several preventative steps you can take to help avoid a blowout, including rotating your tires every 5,000 to 10,000 miles and watching for tire recalls.

Routinely checking and changing your car's motor oil is essential to keeping an engine in good, running condition. Check your oil level each month and change it as directed in your car's owner's manual (typically in a certain time frame or a certain number of miles driven).

You can change your oil yourself or take it to a service center. If you choose to do it yourself, learn the necessary steps to drain the existing oil, set the correct oil level and dispose of old oil.

You should also know which type of motor oil is best for your car, regardless of whether you change the oil yourself or take it to a service center. This generally means considering three things — the oil viscosity, whether to use synthetic versus non-synthetic oil and your car's mileage. The recommended specifics for motor oil can also typically be found in your car’s owner’s manual.

There are several fluids that should be kept at the appropriate levels to help keep your car running properly. According to Popular Mechanics,you or your mechanic should regularly check these other five important fluids:

• Coolant
• Power steering fluid
• Brake fluid
• Transmission fluid
• Windshield washer fluid

A leak with any of the first four fluids mentioned above can affect the way your car drives. If you spot a leak, you may be able to identify the fluid by its color. This can help you and your mechanic determine where the leak is coming from and could help speed up repairs.

A broken or burnt-out bulb is a safety hazard and could get you a ticket. Reference your owner’s manual to learn about all the bulbs on your car’s exterior. If a bulb is out, you’ll need to determine whether it's the bulb itself or if it’s a fuse that needs replacing. Depending on the complexity of changing either of these things, you can always take your car to a mechanic to help you.

Your headlights are key to seeing the road and other cars in dark or less-than-ideal light conditions. Your taillights are essential for helping other drivers see you and when you’re braking. Consider taking a few extra steps to keep both of them shining bright, such as cleaning the lenses and replacing bulbs as they start to dim.

If your wipers aren't working like they used to, don't let the problem linger. Damaged or worn-out blades can reduce visibility during a heavy rain or a snowstorm. Knowing how to inspect your wiper blades regularly and replace them when necessary is one way to help keep your car safe.

You may need to replace your windshield wipers once every six months or so, according to Consumer Reports. If you notice the wiper blades are cracked, torn or heavily worn, they might not grip the windshield properly and not fully remove mud, rain, sleet or snow.

A dirty engine air filter can allow dirt and other particulates into your car's engine and reduce its efficiency. For many cars, replacing the engine air filter every 15,000 to 30,000 miles or once a year is recommended, but you should reference your specific car’s owner’s manual.

If you’re replacing it yourself, make sure to vacuum your work area first so that dust or debris doesn’t get into the engine while you work, advises AutoZone. Check the dirtiness of the filter by removing it from its housing and holding it up to sunlight or another source of bright light. If light passes through more than half of the filter easily, you can put it back in your car without replacement, explains AAA. Some vehicles (usually pickup trucks) have an engine air filter service indicator on the filter housing that can help you see when it needs replacement.

Cabin air filters are designed to keep your car’s air free of pollen, dust and other pollutants. Over time, filters can get clogged and become less effective. AutoZone recommends that most cars’ air filters should be checked every 15,000 to 30,000 miles. You can change it sooner if you notice the cabin air filter is visually dirty, if you hear a whistling from your air ducts or if there’s a musty odor when you turn on heating or cooling. Referencing your car’s specific owner's manual should provide you with a more precise service schedule.

While car batteries can last six years, their shelf life ultimately depends on upkeep, says Popular Mechanics. That’s why it’s a good precaution to test your car battery periodically with or without a multimeter, according to The Drive. If you have a 12-volt battery, for instance, a multimeter can let you know if it’s in the healthy range of 12.5 or more.

If you don’t have one handy, you can bring your car in to an auto parts store or a mechanic. Some places even offer free battery testing and charging, adds The Drive. Another test you can run is turning the headlights on but not the engine. After ten minutes, turn on the car – if the lights dim when the engine turns on, your battery may need to be replaced.

Your car's brakes require regular inspection. While driving, listen for any brake noise and pay attention to shuddering or vibrations from the brake pedal. If any of these warning signs show, you should visit a mechanic or repair shop as soon as possible.

When a professional technical performs a brake inspection on your car, they will check the brake fluid, do an inspection of the undercarriage and check your car’s braking components (brake pads, rotors and calipers), according to Firestone. All of these components of your brake system should be in good, working condition for you to continue driving on the road.

Keeping your car's belts and hoses in good shape can help keep it running and prevent a breakdown on the road. For instance, your serpentine belt helps power several vital parts of your car like the alternator, power steering pump, air conditioning and sometimes the water pump, according to Firestone. A broken serpentine belt is dangerous while driving and could cause serious damage to your engine.

Keep your car running smoothly and avoid expensive repairs by having your belts and hoses checked at every oil change. This will help ensure that they're in good condition and don't need replacing.

The final item in our checklist may seem unimportant to the health of your car, but that is a common misconception. Your car endures all sorts of elements, from road salt in the winter to tree sap and bird droppings in the summer. These hazards are not only unsightly but can cause damage to paint and the car’s undercarriage, which can lead to larger issues.

If you live in a place that gets snow and ice, be sure to pretreat your car’s undercarriage, use an under spray or get your car washed when there’s salt on the roads, according to DMV.org. The same rule applies if you drive or park your car near an ocean.

Keeping your car clean may help prevent long-term damage and retain more of your car’s value. Find the car washing method that works for you and regularly wash your car.

Understanding certain signs of your car needing service or repairs is important for any car owner. Performing maintenance early on can help save you money in the way of preventing more expensive repairs later on.

Even a car that’s well maintained and follows the checklist from above can experience problems that will require servicing. KBB explains a few of the more common signs to look out for when your vehicle may need immediate service:

• Check engine light
• Any issues with braking
• Lacking acceleration
• Vibrations
• Stalling or difficulty starting the car
• Fuel efficiency changes
• Hard or delayed shifting

Again, these are more common signs that there could be something wrong with your vehicle. You should still visit a mechanic or a trained technician on a semi-regular schedule to make sure your car isn’t showing any other less common signs that maintenance is required.

Understanding certain signs of your car needing service or repairs is important for any car owner. Performing maintenance early on can help save you money in the way of preventing more expensive repairs later on.

Even a car that’s well maintained and follows the checklist from above can experience problems that will require servicing. KBB explains a few of the more common signs to look out for when your vehicle may need immediate service:

• Check engine light
• Any issues with braking
• Lacking acceleration
• Vibrations
• Stalling or difficulty starting the car
• Fuel efficiency changes
• Hard or delayed shifting

Again, these are more common signs that there could be something wrong with your vehicle. You should still visit a mechanic or a trained technician on a semi-regular schedule to make sure your car isn’t showing any other less common signs that maintenance is required.

Performing maintenance is a task that often goes hand-in-hand with owning a vehicle. But what about vehicles you only use once in a while or store part of the year? It may seem like a car that isn't used frequently wouldn't require upkeep like your everyday vehicle — but that isn't always the case. If you'll be storing your vehicle for a month or more, you may want to follow these car maintenance tips:

Prepare the car for storage

If you have a vehicle you store at your vacation home or a spare car you only drive every so often, there are some steps you should take before leaving it for an extended period of time.

Clean it

Start by cleaning your vehicle from top to bottom, including washing (make sure you get hard-to-remove dirt and debris, like sap), polishing and waxing the outside, according to Cars.com. Consider spraying any unpainted metal with undercoating to help protect against rust, explains Cars.com.

Get a full tank of gas

When your vehicle is sparkling clean again, it's important to fill up your gas tank if you will be storing the car longer than 30 days, says Edmunds, as this may help prevent moisture from building up in the tank. Cars.com also recommends adding a fuel stabilizer to the tank when it's almost full, as the shelf life of standard fuels is only about three months. If your vehicle won't be used for a few months, Cars.com says the stabilizer may help keep the fuel lines and engine from corroding.

Inflate the tires

If your car will be sitting for a long period of time, the temperature may change and the tires can slowly lose pressure, says Cars.com. For this reason, it's a good idea to inflate your tires to the recommended air pressure, but do not exceed the maximum. You'll want to repeat this process when you take the vehicle out of storage.

Top off fluids

Finally, before you leave your car dormant for an extended period of time, top off your vehicle's fluids — such as brake fluid, engine coolant, power steering fluid (if applicable), transmission fluid, antifreeze and windshield wiper fluid, suggests Cars.com. Also, consider changing the oil before you let your vehicle sit in storage for more than a couple of weeks, says Edmunds. It’s recommended to take the car for a short drive, as this will help circulate the fluids, including the fuel stabilizer.

While in storage

Keep it covered

Get a quality cover that securely fits your vehicle, keeps out moisture and allows for air flow, suggests Cars.com. This will help protect the exterior from bumps, scratches and dirt. It also may be a good idea to put steel wool in the air cleaner intake and exhaust pipe to keep small animals from using your vehicle as shelter, says Edmunds.

Protect the battery

Don't forget the vehicle's power source: the battery. A battery will eventually lose its charge if it isn't driven at least every few weeks, explains Edmunds. If you prepare the car properly for storage, though, you do not need to run it to keep the battery charged. Cars.com suggests connecting the battery to a trickle charger or battery tender with an automatic shut-off feature or float mode. This will ensure the battery doesn't get overcharged. The battery can remain in the vehicle or be removed while it's hooked up to the battery tender.

When taking the car out of storage

Once you're ready to use the vehicle again, remember to undo all of the storage prep you did originally (specifically, the prep involving the battery, steel wool, etc.). It can be helpful to use a simple checklist while you're prepping the vehicle for storage, so you can refer to that list when you're ready to take it back out onto the road. Edmunds recommends you do the following to prepare your car for use again:

• Check for chewed belts, hoses, wires or nests, which can be evidence of rodent damage
• Remove steel wool you may have placed in the exhaust pipe
• Inspect the windshield wipers to see if the rubber is cracked or brittle
• Check the tire pressure and, if necessary, reinflate to the recommended pressure
• Check fluids and top off as needed
• If necessary, reconnect the battery and check that the battery terminals are clean
• Wash the vehicle to remove any dust or dirt that accumulated

Even though you may not use your spare car every day, you probably want to make sure it runs reliably when you do need it. If you follow these steps, you may get more out of your vehicle.

Finally, just like regular car checkups, it's a good idea to review your car insurance policy from time to time. This can help ensure your policy's coverages, limits and deductibles are up-to-date and suitable for your current situation.

Keeping your car in good shape can help keep you and your passengers safe. And remember, if you're ever unsure about how to inspect or replace a car part, be sure to contact a local mechanic or a trained technician for help.