From Oil Changes to Brake Checks: 10 Key Maintenance Tasks to Keep Your Car Running

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The automotive market has been hit exhausting by ongoing inflation and uncertainty about commerce coverage. And with President Donald Trump enacting a 25% tariff on all imported automobiles and car components as of April 2025, automobile costs are about to rise even increased.

Which means fewer People will likely be shelling out cash to purchase new automobiles and as a substitute will concentrate on sustaining their present set of wheels. In 2024, the typical age of drivable automobiles reached a file of 12.6 yearsbased on an S&P World Mobility report in Might of that yr. With upcoming value will increase, house owners will possible maintain onto their automobiles longer.

However as any machine ages, elements degrade, components put on down, and failures doubtlessly grow to be inevitable. Routine upkeep is essential to stopping deterioration and prolonging a car’s lifespan by way of each security and operation. Upkeep duties usually have a time or mileage schedule, and figuring out when to alter fluids or rotate the tires can assist house owners lengthen their car’s lifespan and cut back the necessity for extra pricey repairs down the road.

Not all sorts of automobiles would require the identical upkeep, nevertheless. Electrical automobiles are exempt from common spark plug or oil modifications, however require a lot bigger batteries for operation.

The Basic broke down 10 important upkeep duties that assist preserve your automobile safer, extra dependable, and on the highway longer.

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Engine Oil Change

Altering a car’s oil is likely one of the most typical and significant upkeep duties for gas-powered automobiles. Clear engine oil is essential to making sure that mechanical elements are correctly lubricated for optimum longevity, which in flip additionally impacts gas mileage.

Whereas specifics differ by car make, oil mix, and driving situations, drivers ought to change most fashionable oils between 5,000 and seven,500 miles or at the least twice a yr. Oil modifications normally price between $35 and $125 and are supplied at most dealerships and restore retailers. Homeowners trying to change their oil on their very own should concentrate on native disposal rules for automotive fluids and filters.

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Brake Pad Substitute

Automobiles want to have the ability to drive—however extra importantly, they want to have the ability to cease. Working brakes are a requirement for the secure operation of any car. Brake pads are some of the important elements of a car’s braking system and have to be modified considerably commonly.

Brake pads usually final between 25,000 and 50,000 miles, but when the brakes begin squeaking or making different noises, it could require extra fast substitute. Brake pad substitute varies relying on the kind of automobile, however prices round $300 and is often accessible at restore services.

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Tire Rotation and Alignment

Tires ought to be the one part of a car that makes contact with the highway. Guaranteeing they’re correctly aligned and commonly rotated won’t solely extend the lifespan of the tires, but in addition grant elevated gas effectivity and guarantee smoother operation.

Whereas usually thought-about the identical, tire rotation and wheel alignment are two separate procedures, with rotation swapping the tires’ positions to evenly distribute put on and alignment adjusting the suspension to make sure they make correct contact with driving surfaces. The necessity for such repairs varies with common driving situations, car kind, and performance, however is usually really helpful on an interval much like oil modifications.

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Changing Air Filters (Engine and Cabin)

Most automobiles have two main air filters. One protects the airflow out and in of the engine from contaminants that hinder combustion, whereas one other filters the air coming into the cab, very like the air filter in a house local weather system. Filters are uncovered to grime and contaminants, in order that they have to be modified commonly.

Consultants advocate altering air filters at the least every year or each 12,000 miles; the typical price for an air filter substitute ranges between $59 and $78, relying on components and labor.

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Transmission Fluid Substitute

The transmission is a essential piece of any car’s drivetrain system. Whether or not managed manually or routinely, it ensures that energy generated from the engine is transferred to the wheels. Very similar to the oil within the engine, this very important system depends upon transmission fluid to make sure that gears change easily and that the engine makes use of gas effectively.

It’s endorsed to alter transmission fluid between each 30,000 and 100,000 miles relying on the car and transmission kind. Not sustaining a system as important because the transmission can lead to failures that can price considerably extra to repair later in a car’s life.

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Battery Inspection or Substitute

Nearly all programs in fashionable automobiles depend on some form of electrical part, with EVs counting on electrical energy for all programs. This makes the battery an especially necessary nerve heart for your entire car.

Consultants recommend altering a battery for gas-powered automobiles each three to 5 years, with common inspections starting on the three-year mark. Electrical car batteries are a lot bigger and should final 12 to fifteen years in average climates. Batteries might present delicate indicators of failure, akin to dim headlights, sluggish cranking when beginning, or a sulfuric scent, however as soon as the battery dies, the car won’t even begin. The worth for battery substitute will differ relying on the scale and energy essential, together with accessibility throughout the car.

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Coolant Flush

Since each combustion engines and electrical motors generate warmth, regulating the system’s temperature is important. Antifreeze, also referred to as engine coolant, retains a car’s engine from both getting too chilly to perform or overheating. It’s endorsed to test coolant at the least twice a yr: as soon as in the summertime and as soon as within the winter.

On account of gradual degradation and contamination, the fluid in gas-powered vehicles ought to be flushed and changed roughly each 60,000 miles, with specifics various on car manufacture and driving situations. The service for flushing coolant usually runs between $200 and $250 and is often supplied at dealerships and restore retailers. For electrical automobiles, specialists advocate altering the fluid each 5 years, which can price between $400 and $650.

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Timing Belt/Serpentine Belt Substitute

The serpentine belt and timing belt carry out completely different however essential capabilities. The serpentine belt transfers vitality generated by the engine to equipment such because the alternator and air con compressor. The timing belt regulates easy engine operation. Failure of both could cause breakdowns and result in costly repairs.

One of the frequent signs is a squeak or squeal beneath the hood, which is usually accompanied by a scent of burning rubber. Some belts can last as long as 100,000 miles, however it is strongly recommended to routinely test them since they’re product of rubber and uncovered to warmth generated by car operation.

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Spark Plug Substitute

Spark plugs play an integral half within the perform of a combustion engine by igniting the gas. Subsequently, it is very important guarantee they’re functioning cleanly and effectively. Soiled spark plugs can result in lack of gas effectivity and tough engine operation.

They need to be checked beginning at 30,000 miles for normal plugs product of copper, whereas plugs constructed from metals akin to platinum or iridium provide longer lifespans. Substitute can run between $100 and $500, with spark plug substitute usually included in tune-up packages.

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Windshield Wiper Substitute

Whereas not at all times considered important to car operation as engines, batteries, or alternators, windshield wipers assist guarantee driver visibility in all driving situations. They’re additionally some of the simply accessed elements to examine and substitute. If the wiper will not be clearing the windshield absolutely or exhibits seen injury on the blade, substitute it.

Windshield wiper blades ought to be inspected and changed each six to 12 months. Changing the blades can are available in round $60, however it could price extra if there are points with the wiper motors or different elements.

Written by: Daniel Dennerline. Story modifying by Alizah Salario. Copy modifying by Kristen Wegrzyn.