Scheduled Maintenance

Scheduled maintenance is a crucial part of the upkeep of any vehicle. At Ethan’s Honest Auto, we help you determine the schedule that will work best for your unique car. Listen to our recommendations and bring your car in to be serviced at the correct time. Keeping up with the regular maintenance of your vehicle is essential for reducing the number of huge repair jobs you may need in the future.

What is scheduled maintenance?

Many vehicle owners are unsure of what exactly scheduled maintenance is and how it applies to their car. Scheduled maintenance is essentially planned trips to Ethan’s Honest Auto. The schedule is set up to check parts and systems for damage or regular wear and tear.

You can find recommendations for scheduled maintenance in your vehicle’s service manual. Typically these recommendations are put in terms of mileage. So, for example, you may need to have your oil changed every 3000 miles or to have your tires rotated every 6000 miles.

Some newer vehicles also have maintenance reminders lights. However, these are just recommendations based on a computer algorithm. The maintenance reminder lights should not replace your own observations of your vehicle. They might also not be accurate as the recommended schedule provided by your local auto repair shop.

What is involved in scheduled maintenance?

Scheduled maintenance encompasses many services. These auto repairs will occur at different intervals depending on the recommended schedule. The specialists at Ethan’s Honest Automotive can perform any type of scheduled maintenance on your vehicle. The most common tasks include

• Oil changes
• Transmission fluid changes
• Tire rotation
• Filled or replaced windshield washer fluid and wipers
• Power steering fluid changes
• Replaced air filter
• A/C service
• Brake service
• Suspension service
• Spark plug maintenance
• Ignition maintenance

By allow scheduled maintenance to occur, you could potentially stave off big problems down the line. Even simple tasks like filling windshield washer fluid or changes the engine oil can have big ramifications if not done often enough.

When do I need scheduled maintenance?

Not all scheduled maintenance tasks need to be performed at the same time. However, you may not want each one done separately unless you enjoy spending a lot of time at your auto repair shop. We would love to see you that often, but for your convenience, our specialists will recommend a schedule based on mileage ranges.

Ethan’s Honest Auto does not provide cookie-cutter scheduled maintenance. We will discuss your needs and vehicle, and then create a schedule that works best for you. That said, there are a few generalizations that can be made about scheduled maintenance. You will likely have a timetable that looks similar to this sample.

• Monthly
  You will want to pay attention to any check engine or other dashboard lights often. You should also check the inflation of your tires, the levels of your windshield washer fluid, and engine oil regularly. If you notice problems or have concerns about any of these systems, schedule a visit with Ethan’s Honest Auto immediately.
• 3000 miles
  At this mileage, you will want to have your oil and oil filter replaced. The team members at Ethan’s Honest Auto should also check your transmission fluid level, battery, belts, exhaust, and power steering fluid.
• 6000 miles
  At your 6000 mile visit, we will check the systems already listed in addition to the chassis lubrication, engine air filter, and wiper blades.
• 12,000-15,000 miles
  Have you brakes completely checked at your 12,000-mile visit. We will also check the previous systems as well as your wheel alignment and cabin air filter.
• 20,000-30,000 miles
  At this age, the new parts of the vehicle that need maintenance will be your fuel filter, coolant, radiator hoses, HVAC system, and suspension.
• 35,000-50,000 miles
  Vehicles will need a new battery at about this age. They will also need new spark plugs and wires and have the ignition system and suspension checked.
• 60,000 miles
  From this mileage on, the entire car should be checked regularly for wear and tear and new problems.

Why is scheduled maintenance important?

Scheduled maintenance may seem a little intimidating, but it is essential for keeping your vehicle in good health. As you can see in the sample schedule above, all of the vehicle’s systems will be checked by about 50,000 miles. That means any issues with those systems will be found and dealt with before the problem intensifies.

You want to keep your vehicle in the best condition possible. That is why you need to contact Ethan’s honest Auto today about setting up your unique maintenance schedule. We are ready to work with you to find a schedule that will keep your vehicle in peak condition. Contact our customer service professional today to set up your appointment.