|
To help you get
started developing a maintenance schedule for your car, here
are some general guidelines developed by AAA and other
industry sources:
|
Inspect lights and tire pressure |
At least monthly - we do this for free at our
full-service gasoline island. |
|
Oil & filter change and chassis lubrication |
3,000 to 5,000 miles or 3 to 4 months |
|
Under hood belt and hose inspection |
3,000 to 5,000 miles or 3 to 4 months (every oil
change) |
|
Tire rotation and wheel balancing |
6,000 miles or every other oil change |
|
Brake inspection |
6,000 miles or every other oil change |
|
Replace air filter |
12,000 to 24,000 miles or as indicated by inspection |
|
Replace fuel filter |
24,000 to 100,000 miles |
|
Automatic transmission service |
24,000 to 100,000 miles |
|
Wheel alignment check |
12,000 to 24,000 miles or as indicated by tire wear |
|
Cooling system flush and refill |
40,000 to 100,000 miles |
|
Belt and hose replacement |
60,000 to 100,000 miles or 5 to 8 years |
|
Engine timing belt replacement |
60,000 to 100,000 miles (when equipped) or 5 to 8 years |
|
Air conditioning performance check |
Annually, usually in the spring |
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The services listed above are only the general services that
apply to most vehicles. You may need more frequent checks and
replacements than the intervals listed above. Additionally,
your car may have some unique maintenance requirements
specified by the manufacturer. Many overhead cam engines have
engine timing belts that require scheduled replacement. If
such a belt breaks for lack of replacement, expensive engine
damage may result. Some carmakers also call for periodic
flushing and refilling of the brake hydraulic system.
AAA Approved Auto Repair (AAR) shops such as PACIFIC HEIGHTS
CHEVRON and AAA Car Care Plus facilities (not available in
all AAA areas) can help you identify your vehicle's
maintenance needs and provide those services on a schedule
that meets your driving conditions.
AAA Services
Emergency Road Service 800-222-4537
Membership Services 800-922-8228
Diagnostic Services 415-567-1136
Approved Auto Repair 415-567-1136
Vehicle Purchasing Service 877-228-3722
Travel Services 800-922-8228
The full ratings and recommendations for more than 200
vehicles, along with the latest information on
thousands of other products and services, are available
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subscribe today.
Consumer Reports offers in-depth vehicle reports for
every model tested - to help you make the right
purchasing decision on your next car or truck. |
Wherever you go for service, make sure the shop has access to
the manufacturer's latest technical service bulletins, better
known as TSBs.
Before you consider where to take your vehicle for
maintenance and repair, you need to understand the difference
between the two. Routine maintenance items are those listed
in your vehicle's owner's manual as part of the model's
service schedule. They are intended to keep your vehicle in
top operating condition. Repairs are service that needs to be
performed to fix a problem.
Scheduled maintenance can be performed at any dealership; you
don't have to go to the one where you bought the vehicle.
Likewise, you can take your vehicle to an independent
auto-repair shop or franchise, which are typically less
expensive than dealerships. Federal law gives you the right
to service your vehicle wherever you like without affecting
your warranty coverage. (Depending on the contract, lessees
may be required to have all service performed at a
dealership.) Mechanics in your dealership's service
department are specifically trained and certified in all
aspects of your model's service needs, and the shop will be
equipped with all of the necessary diagnostic equipment.
Because maintenance items are fairly basic, however, any
professional auto shop should be able to perform the
necessary tasks.
Wherever you go for service, make sure they have access to
the manufacturer's latest technical service bulletins (TSBs),
which are basically instructions on how to fix common
problems with a particular model. Often, an automaker will do
TSB repairs for free, but you'll have to go to a dealership
to get the work done.
Repairs can range from basic tasks such as a brake job or
auto-body repair to complicated service such as overhauling a
transmission or diagnosing an electronics-system problem. Go
to a dealership if your car is covered by the original
warranty and you want the manufacturer to pay for the fix.
Use a dealership, too, if your car has been recalled or is
the subject of a "service campaign" in which the automaker
offers to correct a defect. If you have an extended warranty,
you'll need to check the terms to see who must perform
covered repairs.
If the vehicle is out of warranty, the type of problem may
determine where you take it for repair. A reputable
independent shop should be able to handle most common
repairs. Shops that specialize in your vehicle's brand are
more likely to have the proper training, equipment, and
up-to-date information. A good technician will let you know
when a problem warrants a trip to the dealership or a
specialty shop.
If you're experiencing a problem with a system that's
exclusive to your model or automaker-especially electronics,
such as a navigation or multi-function control
system-consider taking the vehicle to a dealership. You also
need to take it to a dealership to have safety recall work
performed. |
