The Guide To Everything You Need To Know About Your Car’s Scheduled Maintenance

Any person who has owned a vehicle has probably heard of scheduled maintenance. Perhaps your mechanic has mentioned that this concept is important for the health of your car. Or, maybe, you noticed the scheduled maintenance section in your vehicle’s owner’s manual. Either way, knowing everything you can about scheduled maintenance is essential for keeping your vehicle running for as long as possible.

At Ethan’s Honest Automotive, we provide our customers with the best scheduled maintenance services in the Cache Valley and southeast Idaho. Keep reading this article to learn everything you need about scheduled maintenance. And then contact Ethan’s Honest Automotive to set up your first appointment.

We will discuss why you should choose Ethan’s Honest Automotive later in this article. But first, we will give you the scoop on scheduled maintenance. Let’s get started!

What is Scheduled Maintenance?

Scheduled maintenance is a specific kind of maintenance. This term encompasses the car maintenance tasks that must be performed on a particular schedule. Often you will find this schedule in your owner’s manual. However, manufacturers provide generic schedules, which we will discuss below.

Scheduled maintenance tasks comprise a variety of undertakings. Adjustments, part changes, and other maintenance tasks fall under the scheduled maintenance heading. Essentially, any job that needs to be completed on a schedule to ensure the part or system does not fail is scheduled maintenance. 

Why You Need Scheduled Maintenance?

Scheduled maintenance is essential for the health of your vehicle. There are many important benefits of following a maintenance schedule, including the following.

• Problems can be caught early: When you follow the preferred maintenance schedule, a mechanic will look over your vehicle regularly. That allows them to keep tabs on the vehicle’s health and catch any issues before they spiral out of control.
• Vehicle performance will improve: Keeping your parts and systems in good working order will help your vehicle perform better. There will be no old or damaged parts negatively affecting performance.
• Fuel mileage may increase: One aspect of better vehicle performance is better fuel mileage. As fuel prices continue to rise, it is more important than ever that your car runs with peak efficiency.
• You will save time and money: Increasing fuel mileage, reducing the costs of big problems, and ensuring your vehicle stays running will all save you time and money.

 Clearly, getting the recommended scheduled maintenance provides a lot of benefits. While you must pay for the regularly scheduled visits, a better-running, more efficient vehicle will cost less than one you did not maintain.

When to Start a Maintenance Schedule

Scheduled maintenance begins the moment you receive your vehicle. No, you do not need to take the vehicle (especially if it is a new car) to the mechanic on the first day. However, you should immediately check your owner’s manual and determine the recommended maintenance schedule for your vehicle.

You will likely need to schedule your first maintenance appointment for tire rotation or an oil change within a year of purchasing a car. Therefore, knowing the recommended maintenance schedule right away is crucial. The faster you start following the schedule, the better health your vehicle will have.

Do not be discouraged if you have not followed your vehicle’s recommended maintenance schedule. Just because you did not start the schedule immediately does not mean all is lost. Take your car in for a maintenance check as soon as possible. Your mechanic will explain what maintenance tasks are needed and how you can get back on track with your scheduled maintenance. 

Recommended Maintenance Schedule

Now we get into the most important part of any discussion about scheduled maintenance, the actual schedule of tasks. Remember that your specific maintenance schedule will depend on your vehicle’s manufacturer, model, and year. You can find this information in your owner’s manual. You can also ask an Ethan’s Honest Automotive mechanic for a scheduled maintenance timeline.

That being said, we can provide a general maintenance schedule that will work for most vehicles. Most mechanics determine schedule maintenance timelines based on miles driven. Many mechanics prefer the 30-60-90 plan.

The most common scheduled maintenance tasks and a recommended timeline follows.

Regular Maintenance Tasks

You will need to perform two maintenance tasks regularly. We have listed these tasks below.

• Tire Checks: You should check your tires regularly for tread depth, damage, and air pressure. You can complete these checks at home. Every 6,000-8,000 miles, you should have a mechanic rotate your tires.
• Oil and Filter Changes: Most manufacturers recommend changing your oil and oil filter every 5,000-10,000 miles. You should also regularly check your vehicle’s oil level. Top it off if the oil is low and it is not yet time for an oil change. 

Before 30,000 Miles

Tasks that need to be completed before your vehicle reaches 30,000 miles include the following:

• Air Filter: Replace every 15,000-30,000 miles
• Fuel Filter: Replace around 30,000 miles. However, depending on your vehicle, you may be able to complete this task later. 

30,000-60,000 Miles

Most vehicles need a lot of maintenance between 30,000-60,000 miles. The following tasks are the most crucial.

• Battery: You will need to replace most modern batteries every 50,000-60,000 miles
• Brake Pads and Rotors: Replace at around 50,000-60,000 miles
• Brake Fluid: Change every 20,000-45,000 miles
• Coolant: Change every 60,000 miles
• Transmission Fluid: Changed every 30,000-60,000 miles 

60,000-90,000 Miles

As your vehicle ages, it will require specific maintenance, including the following.

• Hoses: Check for damage around 90,000 miles
• Spark Plugs: Change every 30,000-90,000 miles. Your owner’s manual will help you determine the correct schedule for this part.
• Power Steering Fluid: Change every 75,000 miles
• Timing Belt: Replace every 75,000-90,000 miles

Why Choose Ethan’s For Your Car’s Scheduled Maintenance?

At Ethan’s Honest Automotive, we provide all the scheduled maintenance services your vehicle needs. Our professionals can work on any vehicle, make, or model. It does not matter if you have a foreign or domestic car. We have the skills required to bring it to peak health.

When you work with us, you will only ever receive a quote for the services your vehicle needs. Contact Ethan’s Honest Automotive today to learn how scheduled maintenance can help your vehicle reach ideal health.

Services provided by Ethan’s include: