Home > Blog > Maintenance > Car Maintenance Schedule Guide

Car Maintenance Schedule Guide

car mechanic with a maintenance schedule
Credit: Getty / ljubaphoto

Stick to the Schedule to Keep Your Car Purring 

With proper maintenance, most of today’s cars, trucks, and SUVs will make it well past 100,000 miles. Assuming repair costs aren’t overwhelming, the longer you can hang onto a vehicle, the more money you will save. That’s why it’s essential to follow your car’s maintenance schedule.

Unfortunately, Carfax data shows that many owners are not keeping up.

Nearly half of the vehicles on the road are overdue for a tire rotation, and about 30% are overdue for an oil change. Both can significantly impact how your car is running – and even how safe it is!

If you’re unsure of your vehicle’s maintenance history, check out Carfax Car Care to better understand when it’s time to service your car. It’s a free app that tracks your service needs with timely reminders. 

Below, we’ll talk about how maintenance schedules work and how you can get the most life out of your car – as well as the most money when it’s time to sell: Carfax data shows that a well-maintained car is worth an extra $2,000 in resale value over one that hasn’t been well-maintained.

What Is a Maintenance Schedule?

A maintenance schedule is a list of manufacturer-recommended services for a vehicle, usually grouped by the mileage or age at which the service is recommended.

A Typical Car Maintenance Schedule

Though the details may vary from one vehicle to another, here’s what is typically recommended for each mileage reading on the odometer:

Every 5,000 miles

Every 10,000 miles

At 36,000 miles

  • Full mechanical inspection – be sure to have this conducted just before the typical three-year comprehensive warranty expires so you can have any necessary repairs paid for by the manufacturer

At 50,000 miles

  • Replace brake pads and fuel filter
  • Drain and replace transmission fluid and filter
  • Inspect exhaust, emissions, and suspension systems

At 60,000 miles

At 100,000 miles

  • Change high-mileage coolants and 100,000-mile spark plugs (if so equipped)
  • Full mechanical inspection

At 125,000 miles

  • Change O2 sensors, coolant, and brake fluid
  • Inspect the air conditioning compressor and belt tensioner
  • Replace shocks and struts and get a wheel alignment

At 180,000 miles

  • Change the power steering fluid
  • Clean airflow sensor
  • Inspect seals on axles and driveshafts and replace if leaking
  • Inspect the timing chain (if so equipped) and engine/transmission mounts

At 250,000 miles

  • Clean fuel injectors
  • Inspect the chassis
  • Check the catalytic converter for damage
  • Congratulate yourself on making it to 250,000 miles!

Additional Notes

  • You may have also heard scheduled maintenance referred to as a “tune-up.”
  • In addition to the recommended service periods for “standard” use, you’ll probably find a second set of recommendations for “severe” use. This is meant for vehicles that frequently tow or haul, are used for ride-hailing or delivery, undergo excessive idling, are operated in extremely dirty/dusty conditions, or are used in high-speed or competitive driving.
Set of car tuning parts isolated on white background 3d render
Photo Credit: Getty / Grassetto

Why Is It Important to Follow a Maintenance Schedule?

If you’re buying a new vehicle, you’ll need to follow a regular maintenance schedule to keep your ride running smoothly and the automaker’s warranty coverage in effect. You’ll also need to complete these procedures if you lease a car. Otherwise, you will face fees when you turn it in. If your car’s warranty has expired, it’s still essential to maintain the vehicle according to the recommended intervals.

Where Do I Find My Car’s Maintenance Schedule?

You’ll find the maintenance schedule in your car’s owner’s manual.

You’ll also find it in Carfax’s Car Care app. Car Care lets you easily keep track of your car’s service history and receive helpful reminders when it’s time to take your vehicle in for scheduled maintenance. It can also help you find trusted service providers near you and research maintenance and repair costs.

DIY: Can I Perform Scheduled Maintenance Myself?

Automakers’ maintenance recommendations start with periodic inspections an owner can perform at home. These typically include checking fluid levels, tire air pressure, tread wear, and the condition of windshield wiper blades

In addition to regular maintenance, treat your vehicle to frequent washes, interior cleanings, and, at the least, an annual wax job. Keeping a car clean helps preserve its resale value. 

A qualified technician should perform more complicated checks. Many of the services listed at the top of this article require special equipment and expertise.

Electric Vehicle Maintenance

Recommended maintenance schedules are significantly different for those who own electric vehicles (EVs). That’s because EVs eliminate over two-dozen mechanical components that require periodic service. EV owners avoid paying for oil changes, cooling system flushes, transmission servicing, and replacing the air and fuel filters, spark plugs, and drive belts.

That leaves relatively little periodic maintenance. Take the Chevrolet Bolt: It needs a tire rotation every 7,500 miles and a new cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. You should replace the brake fluid every 30,000 miles and the coolant after 120,000 miles. EV owners will eventually need to replace the tires, have the brakes serviced, have wheels aligned, and could be required to replace steering and suspension components, hoses, headlamps, taillights, and so on. 

Avoid Paying for More Maintenance Than Necessary

Bring a copy of what the manufacturer recommends to service visits to ensure you won’t be oversold on costly procedures you may not otherwise require. 

For example, though the owner’s manual may require an oil change every 5,000-7,500 miles (10,000 or more miles if you use synthetic oil), a service advisor may suggest it requires more frequent changes, say every 3,000 miles. While this may be true in certain situations (if you tow frequently, for example), 3,000-mile oil changes are usually overkill.

If the shop recommends additional “dealer recommended” procedures above the manufacturer-recommended procedures, show a copy of the car’s maintenance schedule and request that only required procedures be performed to help keep costs down.

Basic Maintenance Items


Next Steps


If you have questions about this story, please contact us at Editors@carfax.com