Vehicle Maintenance Checklist
The vehicle maintenance checklist is the lifeline of your vehicle, along with the driver's ability to tell when something isn't right with their vehicle other than the blatantly apparent flat tire or dead battery. Usually, but not always, your vehicle will give you some big hints that something is wrong.
Car dealerships generally follow the car manufacture's 30/60/90 schedule, which means that specific things need to be checked, replaced, or changed at the 30,000, 60,000, and 90,000-mile mark. Plus, you have your regular vehicle maintenance checklist items before and in between the 30/60/90 mile schedule.
Car dealerships generally follow the car manufacture's 30/60/90 schedule, which means that specific things need to be checked, replaced, or changed at the 30,000, 60,000, and 90,000-mile mark. Plus, you have your regular vehicle maintenance checklist items before and in between the 30/60/90 mile schedule.
Before 30,000 Miles — Vehicle Maintenance Checklist
Oil & Oil Filter
The oil and oil filter in your car needs to be changed should be changed regularly. To keep your engine running optimally. As the engine operates, small pieces of dirt, metal, and carbon collect in the oil can cause extreme wear and tear on your engine. If using non-synthetic oil, a 3,000-mile oil change is required. However, most cars use synthetic oil that lasts a lot longer — between 5,000 and 10,000 miles. With every oil change, the filter also gets changed.
30,000 Miles — Vehicle Maintenance Checklist
Air Filter
Your vehicle's air filter needs to be replaced every 15,000 to 30,000 miles. If the air filter gets clogged, the engine will start to spit and sputter, which will have a negative impact on your vehicle's performance. If you reside in a dusty area, you should consider having the air filter checked/changed closer to the 15,000-mile mark.
Fuel Filter
The fuel filter plays an especially important part in keeping your vehicle running. The last thing you want is for it to become clogged. Your vehicle's engine will run extremely rough or not at all. Some manufactures recommend replacing your fuel filter as early as 30,000 miles. The best option is to ask the mechanic to do a pressure test, which will diagnose the filter's condition and determine when it needs to be changed.
60,000 Miles — Vehicle Maintenance Checklist
Brake Fluid
When the brake fluid in the hydraulic system is tainted by water, the boiling point is lowered, and it can turn to gas, which is squeezable, which leads to a “spongy” feeling brake pedal. To make sure your brakes are working correctly, the line will be bled of its fluid and replaced with new brake fluid. This is generally done between 20,000 to 45,000 miles.
Brake Pads & Shoes
When your vehicle's brake pads and shoes start to wear out, they make a screeching sound when you apply the brakes to stop. Your brake pads and shoes should be checked regularly and replaced at about 50,000 miles.
Brake Rotors
Brake rotors get a lot of heat from the shoes being pressed on the rotors when you stop your vehicle. Over time, they become warped and need to be ground down or replaced. This is usually done at about 60,000 miles.
Your vehicle's battery should be checked around the 50,000 to 60,000-mile mark. Luckily, batteries are warrantied and go by time, not miles.
Coolant
A mixture of antifreeze and water flows through the radiator to cool the car. If too much coolant is lost, the engine overheats, which can cause serious damage. Replace the coolant at 60,000 miles.
Transmission Fluid
If you are low on transmission-fluid, it can cause problems shifting and could burn up the transmission. Have your transmission fluid checked when you bring your vehicle in for an oil change or any service.
90,000 Miles — Vehicle Maintenance Checklist
Power Steering Fluid
Low power steering fluid can make your vehicle difficult to steer. You will also notice a lot of noise when trying to turn the steering wheel. Flushing and new transmission oil should be done at 75,000 miles.
Ignition System & Spark Plugs
Your vehicle's ignition system and spark plugs should be checked and replaced at about 90,000 miles. Depending on the type of spark plugs used, copper spark plugs may need to be replaced at 30,000 miles.
If your vehicle's check engine light comes on, you should bring the car to the dealership garage. The mechanic will hook it up to a diagnostic machine and run a scan to figure what is causing the check engine light to come on; they will be given a code that tells them what has gone wrong with your vehicle and what needs to be repaired or replaced.
If you have any questions about your vehicle's maintenance checklist, ask the professionals at Gerry Lane Cadillac. They are more than happy to answer questions and share their vast knowledge with you.
Oil & Oil Filter
The oil and oil filter in your car needs to be changed should be changed regularly. To keep your engine running optimally. As the engine operates, small pieces of dirt, metal, and carbon collect in the oil can cause extreme wear and tear on your engine. If using non-synthetic oil, a 3,000-mile oil change is required. However, most cars use synthetic oil that lasts a lot longer — between 5,000 and 10,000 miles. With every oil change, the filter also gets changed.
30,000 Miles — Vehicle Maintenance Checklist
Air Filter
Your vehicle's air filter needs to be replaced every 15,000 to 30,000 miles. If the air filter gets clogged, the engine will start to spit and sputter, which will have a negative impact on your vehicle's performance. If you reside in a dusty area, you should consider having the air filter checked/changed closer to the 15,000-mile mark.
Fuel Filter
The fuel filter plays an especially important part in keeping your vehicle running. The last thing you want is for it to become clogged. Your vehicle's engine will run extremely rough or not at all. Some manufactures recommend replacing your fuel filter as early as 30,000 miles. The best option is to ask the mechanic to do a pressure test, which will diagnose the filter's condition and determine when it needs to be changed.
60,000 Miles — Vehicle Maintenance Checklist
Brake Fluid
When the brake fluid in the hydraulic system is tainted by water, the boiling point is lowered, and it can turn to gas, which is squeezable, which leads to a “spongy” feeling brake pedal. To make sure your brakes are working correctly, the line will be bled of its fluid and replaced with new brake fluid. This is generally done between 20,000 to 45,000 miles.
Brake Pads & Shoes
When your vehicle's brake pads and shoes start to wear out, they make a screeching sound when you apply the brakes to stop. Your brake pads and shoes should be checked regularly and replaced at about 50,000 miles.
Brake Rotors
Brake rotors get a lot of heat from the shoes being pressed on the rotors when you stop your vehicle. Over time, they become warped and need to be ground down or replaced. This is usually done at about 60,000 miles.
Battery
Your vehicle's battery should be checked around the 50,000 to 60,000-mile mark. Luckily, batteries are warrantied and go by time, not miles.
Coolant
A mixture of antifreeze and water flows through the radiator to cool the car. If too much coolant is lost, the engine overheats, which can cause serious damage. Replace the coolant at 60,000 miles.
Transmission Fluid
If you are low on transmission-fluid, it can cause problems shifting and could burn up the transmission. Have your transmission fluid checked when you bring your vehicle in for an oil change or any service.
Manual and automatic transmissions for a fluid changed are between 30,000 and 60,000 miles.
90,000 Miles — Vehicle Maintenance Checklist
Power Steering Fluid
Low power steering fluid can make your vehicle difficult to steer. You will also notice a lot of noise when trying to turn the steering wheel. Flushing and new transmission oil should be done at 75,000 miles.
Ignition System & Spark Plugs
Your vehicle's ignition system and spark plugs should be checked and replaced at about 90,000 miles. Depending on the type of spark plugs used, copper spark plugs may need to be replaced at 30,000 miles.
If your vehicle's check engine light comes on, you should bring the car to the dealership garage. The mechanic will hook it up to a diagnostic machine and run a scan to figure what is causing the check engine light to come on; they will be given a code that tells them what has gone wrong with your vehicle and what needs to be repaired or replaced.
If you have any questions about your vehicle's maintenance checklist, ask the professionals at Gerry Lane Cadillac. They are more than happy to answer questions and share their vast knowledge with you.