If you didn’t know or aren’t sure - scheduled maintenance is the regular maintenance recommended by the manufacturer to keep your vehicle in its best condition. Many manufacturers require owners (and lessees) to perform this maintenance in order to keep the warranty valid. Maintenance schedules vary by brand and model, but most recommended services for gas-powered vehicles are similar.
Oil changes:
Typically an oil change will include replacing the oil (full synthetic, synthetic blend or high mileage motor oil) and oil filter. For years, most vehicles required an oil change every 3000 miles; more recently, though, with modern lubricants and more efficient engines, most vehicles today require an oil change at intervals of every 5000-7500 miles. Some vehicles, with full-synthetic motor oil, can go as far as 15,000 miles between services. Oil change requirements can also vary due to driving conditions; shorter trips, extremely hot or cold climates, sustained stop-and-go driving or towing heavy loads might require more frequent oil changes. Always check your owner’s manual for details or visit a service department at the Folsom Auto Mall to have a trained technician check your oil for you.
Inspection (fluids & more):
Power steering fluid, automatic transmission fluid, brake fluid, engine coolant and differential fluid are all checked, flushed and/or refilled. Belts and hoses are checked for wear and replaced, if necessary. Small parts like gaskets and wiper blades are inspected and replaced, if necessary. Spark plugs and filters are changed. Air and cabin filters clear contaminants from the air you breathe inside your vehicle. Normally these filters are changed once a year. Fuel filters remove contaminants, rust and impurities from the fuel before it gets to the engine. These are replaced during regular maintenance as well.
Tires and wheels:
Tire pressure and tread depth are checked to ensure the longest possible life for your tires. Another part of most manufacturer’s maintenance schedules includes tire rotation. A tire rotation is when tires are removed from the vehicle and re-installed in a different place. The rotation pattern depends on the tread direction and how the tires are wearing. Wheel alignment is also part of typical vehicle maintenance.
Battery (gas-powered vehicles):
Battery maintenance includes cleaning the cables and removing any corrosion, checking the electrolyte levels and the condition and charge of the battery. Sometimes a battery requires replacement - typically every four years. Factors like driving habits and climate can affect battery life as well.
Brakes:
For most vehicles, it’s a good idea to check your brake pads every 12,000 miles and replace your fluid every 25,000 miles - this is usually part of any recommended maintenance schedule, too. Of course, these estimates vary depending on your vehicle and driving habits. Typically brake lines, hoses, connections and fluid are checked at 7500 miles; so are brake discs, pads and calipers. Then again approximately every 5000 miles thereafter. If necessary, these parts are replaced and fluid is flushed and/or topped off. Brake pads are typically replaced anywhere from 25,000-65,000 miles. Rotors are replaced 40,000-70,000 miles. Brake fluid is replaced at 20,000-50,000 miles. Variation in timing and mileage is common and relies on a variety of factors, but your owner’s manual should give you a good idea of when each of these parts need to be checked and replaced.
Every manufacturer has different requirements, so be sure to check the schedule in your owner’s manual and stay up-to-date. Factory trained and certified technicians and genuine parts will keep your vehicle in tip top shape and ensure your warranty remains active. Your vehicle will perform and handle better, have better fuel economy, be safer to drive and you’ll retain the best possible value for your vehicle.
Schedule a service appointment at the Folsom Auto Mall soon to make sure your maintenance schedule is up-to-date or to ask any questions about your model’s routine maintenance.
Oil changes:
Typically an oil change will include replacing the oil (full synthetic, synthetic blend or high mileage motor oil) and oil filter. For years, most vehicles required an oil change every 3000 miles; more recently, though, with modern lubricants and more efficient engines, most vehicles today require an oil change at intervals of every 5000-7500 miles. Some vehicles, with full-synthetic motor oil, can go as far as 15,000 miles between services. Oil change requirements can also vary due to driving conditions; shorter trips, extremely hot or cold climates, sustained stop-and-go driving or towing heavy loads might require more frequent oil changes. Always check your owner’s manual for details or visit a service department at the Folsom Auto Mall to have a trained technician check your oil for you.
Inspection (fluids & more):
Power steering fluid, automatic transmission fluid, brake fluid, engine coolant and differential fluid are all checked, flushed and/or refilled. Belts and hoses are checked for wear and replaced, if necessary. Small parts like gaskets and wiper blades are inspected and replaced, if necessary. Spark plugs and filters are changed. Air and cabin filters clear contaminants from the air you breathe inside your vehicle. Normally these filters are changed once a year. Fuel filters remove contaminants, rust and impurities from the fuel before it gets to the engine. These are replaced during regular maintenance as well.
Tires and wheels:
Tire pressure and tread depth are checked to ensure the longest possible life for your tires. Another part of most manufacturer’s maintenance schedules includes tire rotation. A tire rotation is when tires are removed from the vehicle and re-installed in a different place. The rotation pattern depends on the tread direction and how the tires are wearing. Wheel alignment is also part of typical vehicle maintenance.
Battery (gas-powered vehicles):
Battery maintenance includes cleaning the cables and removing any corrosion, checking the electrolyte levels and the condition and charge of the battery. Sometimes a battery requires replacement - typically every four years. Factors like driving habits and climate can affect battery life as well.
Brakes:
For most vehicles, it’s a good idea to check your brake pads every 12,000 miles and replace your fluid every 25,000 miles - this is usually part of any recommended maintenance schedule, too. Of course, these estimates vary depending on your vehicle and driving habits. Typically brake lines, hoses, connections and fluid are checked at 7500 miles; so are brake discs, pads and calipers. Then again approximately every 5000 miles thereafter. If necessary, these parts are replaced and fluid is flushed and/or topped off. Brake pads are typically replaced anywhere from 25,000-65,000 miles. Rotors are replaced 40,000-70,000 miles. Brake fluid is replaced at 20,000-50,000 miles. Variation in timing and mileage is common and relies on a variety of factors, but your owner’s manual should give you a good idea of when each of these parts need to be checked and replaced.
Every manufacturer has different requirements, so be sure to check the schedule in your owner’s manual and stay up-to-date. Factory trained and certified technicians and genuine parts will keep your vehicle in tip top shape and ensure your warranty remains active. Your vehicle will perform and handle better, have better fuel economy, be safer to drive and you’ll retain the best possible value for your vehicle.
Schedule a service appointment at the Folsom Auto Mall soon to make sure your maintenance schedule is up-to-date or to ask any questions about your model’s routine maintenance.