What Car Services Are Needed At What Mileage?

It’s no secret that cars need regular maintenance and check-ups if you want to get the most out of them, but for a lot of people it can be a mystery as to what needs to be done and when. That’s why we’ve put together this handy guide to help you know what needs to be done at what mileage markers. If you follow the steps below, you’ll be sure to have a smooth-running car and get the most out of your investment.

5,000 to 10,000 Miles

Oil changes are recommended every 3 to 5 thousand miles (closer to 3,000 miles for older vehicles). If you use a synthetic oil, you can stretch that number to every 5 to 10 thousand miles. The oil filter should be replaced every second oil change. Tires should be rotated between 6 to 10 thousand miles to ensure even wear and get the most out of them. As with any sort of vehicle maintenance, it’s always best to consult the handbook to see what’s recommended and a good mechanic can help you navigate what needs to be taken care of.

30,000 to 35,000 Miles

There’s a 30/60/90 rule that applies to car maintenance that basically sets out those mileage numbers as benchmarks for certain things that need to be done. At 30,000 miles, it’s a good idea to have your suspension and brakes checked, as well as your heating and cooling system. The air filter needs to be replaced every 15 to 30 thousand miles depending on the area you live. For dustier climates, stick to 15,000 miles. The fuel filter will need replacing every 30,000 miles to help keep your engine in good running shape.

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50,000 to 60,000 Miles

At 50,000 to 60,000 miles, it’s time to replace your car battery (sooner if you’ve had any issues with it). You’ll probably want to replace brake pads, the fuel filter, and transmission fluid at this point as well. The muffler and catalytic converter should be inspected in this range too. It will depend on the wear and miles you drive, but new tires are a good idea at this mileage mark, as are new spark plugs, belts, valves, and hoses. The cooling system should be flushed at 60,000 miles and coolant should be replaced at this point.

90,000 to 100,000 Miles

Remember the 30/60/90 rule mentioned above? 90,000 miles is an important one and a key point in a car’s life. A thorough tune up is recommended at this point, which should include replacing the timing belt, water pump, checking the transmission, power steering fluid, and anything that wasn’t needed at the previous mark. This would include the timing belt, spark plugs, belts and hoses.

125,000 Miles

At this point in a car’s life, it’s experienced some wear and tear so it’s important to stay on top of regular maintenance, as well as check for problems that could be major. Suspension and alignment are two of the most important at this juncture, as are shocks and struts. Anything that your mechanic recommends replacing should be done as soon as possible. The fuel filter will probably need replacing here too, which hopefully has been done a couple times by this point. The O2 sensors are good to keep an eye on too when a car starts to hit this level of mileage.