Most drivers know they need maintenance but aren't sure what all of it is. This checklist covers everything your car needs, organized by how often — so you know what to put on your reminder list.
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These don't require a shop visit. They're visual or quick physical checks that catch developing problems before they become expensive ones.
These are the services most drivers know about but still defer. The key is setting a reminder before the interval arrives, not after the dashboard light fires.
| Interval | Service |
|---|---|
| 5,000–7,500 miles | Oil and filter change (conventional oil), tire rotation |
| 7,500–10,000 miles | Oil and filter change (synthetic), tire rotation if not done at 5k |
| 15,000–20,000 miles | Cabin air filter, wiper blade inspection, battery terminals |
| 30,000 miles | Engine air filter, fuel filter (some models), belts and hoses inspection, coolant check |
| 50,000–60,000 miles | Brake fluid flush, power steering fluid, spark plugs (conventional), battery replacement (proactive) |
| 60,000–100,000 miles | Timing belt (interference engines), water pump, coolant flush, transmission fluid, spark plugs (iridium) |
For the full breakdown of what's due at the 30,000, 60,000, and 90,000 mile milestones, see the car maintenance schedule by mileage.
The checklist tells you what. The reminder system tells you when, before you've already missed it.
Note where you are today and identify the next 2–3 service intervals on the list above.
At 15,000 miles per year average, 5,000 miles is about 4 months. Rough math is fine — you're setting a prompt, not a legal deadline.
One reminder per service type. After it's done, reset the date to the next interval. Takes less than a minute.
Head to the car maintenance reminder page to set reminders for your next upcoming services.
Oil changes, tire rotations, brake inspections, fluid checks, filter replacements, and battery checks. The frequency varies by service — oil changes happen every few thousand miles, while a timing belt may not need attention until 60,000 to 100,000 miles. The checklist below covers all categories with their typical intervals.
A full inspection typically covers fluid levels (oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering), tire pressure and tread depth, brake pad thickness, battery health, belts and hoses, lights, and air filters. Many shops include this with an oil change, though not all check every item every time.
At 50,000 miles you're approaching the 60,000-mile milestone. Items to check: brake pad thickness, tire tread depth, battery health (most last 3–5 years), coolant condition, and air filters. Timing belt replacement may be due depending on your vehicle — check your owner's manual.
Monthly, and before any long trip. Tires lose roughly 1 PSI per month naturally and about 1 PSI per 10 degrees Fahrenheit drop in temperature. Under-inflated tires reduce fuel economy and accelerate wear on the outer edges. It takes two minutes and a $10 gauge.
Take the checklist, note your current mileage, and identify which services are coming up in the next 5,000–10,000 miles. For each upcoming service, set a reminder for the date you expect to reach that interval. For monthly checks, set a single monthly reminder. One reminder per service type, reset after each one is done.
Pick the services coming up next and set a reminder for each one. Free, no account, takes 30 seconds per item.
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