So you just bought a car. Now what? As a new (or new-to-you) car owner, you’re probably excited to show off your new ride. However, don’t let that excitement overshadow the need to get on a car maintenance schedule. With our vehicle maintenance checklist, you can protect yourself in two ways. First, you’ll be safer when driving, which is obviously very important. Secondly, though, you’ll also be protecting your investment. When you maintain your vehicle well, you’ll spend less money on repairs. You’ll also have a car that retains as much value as possible and lasts longer. A little maintenance today can help you avoid both accidents and costly repairs in the future.

Immediate Maintenance When Purchasing a Vehicle

As soon as you buy a vehicle, there are a few maintenance tasks you should do as a new car owner. Don’t put them off too long!

• Ask the dealership or seller for a car maintenance record. You want to know when it last received specific maintenance, such as an oil change.
• Check all the fluids to make sure they are at proper levels.
• Review the owner’s manual. You don’t have to read every word, but you should at least skim it and review the car care instructions so you can set your expectations.
• Check your tire pressure. Make sure that the tires on your car are still in good shape and add air if needed.
• Make sure the vehicle has had a state inspection within the last year so it is legal to drive.
• Repair any problems that cause a check engine light to come on. We actually rarely recommend buying a vehicle if there’s a dashboard light indicating a problem.

If you are buying a used car, it is crucial that you have a mechanic look at it as soon as possible. We actually recommend having us look at a car before you buy it. We can give you our expert opinion about common problems with certain makes and models, as well as any potential issues we see, such as rust, leaks, or parts that are about to give out. If you can’t have the car inspected before you buy it, ask for a warranty. Many sellers will not automatically provide a warranty, but you can always ask for one. Most used car sales are “as is” which means that unless you have a warranty, you aren’t protected even if the vehicle breaks down the same day you buy it.

Annual Vehicle Maintenance

Most manufacturers recommend car maintenance at certain intervals depending on how much you drive. However, you should do the following tasks annually to keep your vehicle well maintained:

• Get an annual North Carolina vehicle inspection, which includes checking your brakes, lights, and other key safety components. You may also need an emissions inspection, depending on your county. Yes, we are an official inspection station, so we can do this for you!
• Review our summer maintenance checklist in the spring and our winter maintenance checklist in the fall.
• Check the paint job on your car for any signs of rust or any scratches that could lead to rust. Rust causes body problems that can spread quickly. It’s why washing your car is so important.
• Inspect the spark plugs, shocks and struts, exhaust system, battery, and other components that you don’t routine inspect at other points during the year.
• Get an engine tune up to help your vehicle run more efficiently and note any potential problems.

Of course, if you notice any problems, you should always bring in your vehicle for repair as soon as possible. Don’t wait until a small issue becomes a major (and expensive!) repair.

Maintenance at Specific Intervals

Most car care isn’t annual, but rather depends on how much you drive. Here’s a checklist for vehicle maintenance you should do throughout the year:

• Change Your Oil – every 3,000 to 10,000 miles depending on the type of oil you use (click here to read more about when to change your oil)
• Rotate Your Tires – every 6,000 – 8,000 miles
• Change Your Air Filter – every 15,000 to 20,000 miles (50,000 miles for cotton filters that you can clean and reuse)
• Fuel System Flush – every 15,000 miles to 30,000 miles
• Brake Fluid Flush– every 20,000 to 30,000 miles
• Coolant Flush – every 30,000 to 50,000 miles
• Power Steering Flush – every 75,000 miles
• Replace the Timing Belt – every 75,000 to 90,000 miles

This checklist is just a basic guide. Every car is different. What does your owner’s manual say? If it’s in contradiction to the numbers listed above, always follow the manual or ask one of our experienced mechanics for advice. And of course, as mentioned before, bring your vehicle to our shop asap if you experience any problems, even if you aren’t yet scheduled for any maintenance.

FAQs About Our Vehicle Maintenance Checklist

We’d love to answer any questions you have about car care for your new vehicle. You can stop in any time or give us a call if you have questions about your vehicle maintenance checklist . Here are a few frequently asked questions to get you started:

What should I do if I haven’t been keeping up with maintenance?

Don’t panic. We can help you get back on the right schedule for basic vehicle maintenance, including oil changes and fluid flushes. Our expert mechanics here at Kernersville Auto Center won’t judge you if life got too busy and time got away from you. Let us get you on track again.

Can I do maintenance at home?

In some cases, yes. Some car owners like to do their own vehicle maintenance. However, if you don’t feel confident in your skills and experience with cars, it’s always better to let the professionals handle it. You could do more harm than good. Additionally, you could waste a lot of money if you do maintenance that your vehicle doesn’t really need or make mistakes that need repair work.

How much does car maintenance cost?

It really depends on many factors such as your vehicle’s make and model, its age, whether or not you’ve kept up with maintenance, the specific products you use, and the type of maintenance. Vehicle repairs, however, are usually much more expensive. By doing maintenance, you’re preventing bigger costs down the road. The good news? Most maintenance is affordable even if you’re on a tight budget. Give us a call today to go over the costs for maintaining your vehicle or click here to schedule an appointment.