So How Often Do You Actually Need to Get Car Maintenance Done?

When it comes to getting maintenance done on your vehicle, do you know how often you actually need to go in? Don’t worry, most people don’t! Aside from most modern-day vehicles alerting you when some service is needed, it’s hard to know what needs to be done and when. Keeping up with car maintenance will save you a lot of time, energy, & money in the end, so staying on top of it is as important as ever. While many mechanics recommend following a 30-60-90 service interval, many studies show that vehicle maintenance can be a little more flexible than that. Keep reading to get a better sense of how to manage your vehicle maintenance:

Oil Change: While most modern-day vehicles will notify you when your oil needs to be changed, it’s always a good idea to know how often it should be changed, just in case your vehicle malfunctions in some way or another. For a while, the standard for oil changes has been 3,000 miles, but with advancements in technology in the recent years, the reality is that your vehicle can most likely go around 5,000-10,000 miles between oil changes. However, it’s always recommended to check the owner’s manual for your exact model.

Drive Once a Week: This may not be bringing your vehicle in for service, but it’s a simple thing you can do to keep your vehicle running smoothly! While in the past, you may not have ever imagined you could go a week without driving your vehicle, the Coronavirus had other plans for us this year. If you’re still working remotely, or simply enjoy the safety & comfort of your own home, remember to drive your car around for at least 10 minutes once a week. Leaving it idle for long periods of time can affect tire inflation, your gas tank, the battery, the brakes, & many other parts and systems.

Air Filter: While most mechanics will check the air filter when changing your oil, it may not be standard at all places. It’s good to keep in mind that how often you drive your car, and the climate/weather can affect how often it needs to be changed. The standard time period an air filter can last is around 30,000 miles, but for areas that are dusty or polluted, an air filter can need to be changed as often as every 15,000 miles.

Fuel Filter: Did you know this needs to be changed? I certainly didn’t! Usually, I leave it to the experts at the Mungenast St. Louis Honda Service Center to determine how often the fuel filter needs to be changed by doing a simple pressure test, but it’s still good to know the standard. It’s recommended to change your fuel filter every 30,000 miles, but again, a mechanic can easily check what shape it’s in by performing a pressure test.

Fluids: As mentioned before, it’s always best to check with your vehicle’s owner manual to know the exact recommended fluid levels. However, it’s standard for most cars to get their fluids, including brake fluid, power steering fluid, coolant, and transmission fluid, replaced every 30,000 miles or so. With these fluids, it’s usually best to leave it to the experts, but it’s always great to have the knowledge, right?!

Battery Replacement: Doesn’t it seem like batteries always die at the worst time with no warning?! That’s because most modern batteries are built to produce a full charge until the day they die. It’s recommended by AutoZone to replace your battery about every five years, even if it seems to be working fine. After all, what are the odds it dies on you at the absolute WORST time? It’s also recommended to get your battery checked here and there after about three years of use. Removing battery corrosion can also prolong the life of your battery, which can be done by a mechanic or you can even do it yourself with a wire brush, water and baking soda.

Tire Change: You must know the old penny trick by now, right?! You place a penny in the tread of the tire, and if you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, your tires are ready to be replaced. This is a great easy trick, however, Edmunds recommends replacing your tires every six years, no matter what shape they appear to be in. This is because rubber breaks down naturally, no matter how often it was driven or how warn the treads appear to be.

Now that you know some of the basics, keeping up with vehicle maintenance should be easy! However, we know that life gets in the way, and sometimes that’s just not the case. That’s why the expert mechanics at the Mungenast St. Louis Honda Service Center are always here for support! Do you like to leave it to the experts? Check out the Service Center page to learn more, then Schedule a Service Appointment online! After you submit an online form, our staff will respond to your inquiry as quickly as possible on your preferred contact method, ask any additional questions to gather any information required to service your vehicle, allow you to ask any additional questions, and confirm your scheduled time. Or maybe you’re a “Do It Yourselfer?” The team at Mungenast St. Louis Honda will be here to support you throughout your process! You can check out the Car Parts page to learn more about getting car parts for your new or used Honda. Whether you put thousands of miles on your vehicle a year, only drive your vehicle to the grocery store once a week, rely on the experts for all your service needs, or like to service your own vehicle, the team at Mungenast St. Louis Honda is here to help & support you along the way. Our goal is to keep your Honda running like the day you bought it for years to come. Contact us today for any additional questions!