Car Maintenance Schedule & Checklist by Mileage
A standard car maintenance schedule is: oil and filter every 7,500 miles or 12 months, tire rotation every 7,500 miles, cabin air filter every 15,000 miles, brake inspection every 15,000 miles, engine air filter and brake fluid every 30,000 miles, transmission fluid around 60,000 miles, and spark plugs and coolant near 100,000 miles.
Below is the general schedule. For intervals adjusted to your exact powertrain, transmission, and drivetrain, open your model's maintenance page.
Car maintenance checklist
Every 5,000–7,500 miles
- •Engine oil and oil filter
- •Tire rotation and pressure check
- •Top up washer fluid, check all lights
- •Visual belt, hose, and leak inspection
Every 15,000 miles / 12 months
- •Cabin air filter
- •Brake pad and rotor inspection
- •12V battery load test
- •Wiper blades
Every 30,000 miles / 3 years
- •Engine air filter
- •Brake fluid flush
- •Alignment check
- •Suspension and steering inspection
Every 60,000 miles
- •Transmission fluid (40,000 miles for a CVT)
- •Differential / transfer case fluid on AWD and 4WD
- •Brake pads typically replaced around here
- •Tires typically replaced between 40,000 and 60,000 miles
Every 100,000 miles
- •Spark plugs (iridium or platinum)
- •Engine coolant
- •Serpentine / accessory belt
- •Timing belt if your engine uses one — check the manual
Your owner's manual is the authority. Follow its severe-duty schedule if you tow, idle often, or drive mostly short trips.
Maintenance schedules by make
Car maintenance FAQ
What is a standard car maintenance schedule?
A standard car maintenance schedule is: oil and filter every 7,500 miles or 12 months, tire rotation every 7,500 miles, cabin air filter every 15,000 miles, brake inspection every 15,000 miles, engine air filter and brake fluid every 30,000 miles, transmission fluid around 60,000 miles, and spark plugs and coolant near 100,000 miles.
How often should I change my oil?
Most vehicles built from 2011 onward run full-synthetic oil with a 7,500-mile or 12-month interval; older engines on conventional oil are usually 5,000 miles, and diesels commonly run 10,000. Halve the interval under severe-duty use: short trips, towing, extended idling, or extreme temperatures.
What maintenance does an electric car need?
An EV has no oil, spark plugs, or exhaust to service. Its recurring items are tire rotation every 7,500 miles, brake fluid every three years, cabin air filter every 15,000 miles, and a battery and inverter coolant check around every 30,000 miles. Regenerative braking makes pads last far longer, but rotors can corrode from light use.
Do I have to use the dealer to keep my warranty?
No. In the United States, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act means a manufacturer cannot void your warranty simply because an independent shop or you performed the service. Keep receipts and records showing the correct parts, fluids, and intervals were used.
What happens if I skip a service?
Cabin filters and wiper blades are comfort items. Brake fluid, coolant, transmission fluid, and timing components are the services where deferral turns a routine cost into a repair bill — degraded brake fluid lowers boiling point, and neglected CVT fluid is a common cause of transmission failure.