Car maintenance schedule: how often to do each service
How often does a car need maintenance?
For most passenger cars: an oil change every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, a tire rotation every 5,000 to 8,000 miles or six months, a brake check and new cabin filter once a year, and coolant, transmission fluid and spark plugs on much longer intervals that depend on the car. Do each one at the mileage or the date, whichever comes first. Your owner's manual overrides every number on this page.
Typical intervals, service by service
Typical figures for passenger cars, with their sources. The last column is the schedule the Wrenchy app starts with before you change it to match your manual.
| Service | How often | Wrenchy starts with |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil and filter | Most engines: every 5,000 to 7,500 miles[1]. Some engines on full synthetic oil go longer. If your car has an oil-life monitor, it adjusts the interval for how you drive. | 5,000 mi or 6 months |
| Tire rotation | Every 5,000 to 8,000 miles if your manufacturer recommends it, or sooner if the tires wear unevenly[6]. AAA's checklist says every six months[1]. | 6,000 mi or 6 months |
| Brake inspection | Once a year, covering the whole system[1]. Sooner if you hear squealing or grinding or the pedal feels different. | 12,000 mi or 12 months |
| Engine air filter | Inspect it regularly and replace it when it's dirty. In clean city or suburban driving a filter may last 20,000 miles or more; dusty roads wear it out sooner[2]. AAA's checklist says once a year[1]. | 15,000 mi or 12 months |
| Cabin air filter | Once a year[1], or sooner if the vents get weak or musty. | 15,000 mi or 12 months |
| Wiper blades | When they streak, chatter or stop clearing the glass[1]. | 12 months |
| Battery | Most last three to five years: five or more in cool climates, closer to three in hot ones. Have it tested every year from its third year[5]. | Check every 12 months |
| Coolant | Depends on the coolant type: older green (IAT) coolant every two years or 24,000 miles; OAT and HOAT types every five years or 50,000 miles, and some automakers specify up to 10 years or 150,000 miles[3]. | 30,000 mi or 24 months |
| Automatic transmission fluid | Varies more than anything else on this list. Many newer cars use "lifetime" fluid with intervals that can pass 100,000 miles; others need it far sooner. Check the manual for normal and severe use[4]. | 60,000 mi or 36 months |
| Spark plugs | At the interval in your manual. AAA's checklist says typically every 30,000 miles[1]; many manuals give a longer interval. Electric cars have none. | 60,000 mi |
| Registration and inspection | Set by your state or country, usually yearly or every two years. | 12 months (US) |
How to use a schedule like this
- Find your manual's schedule. It's in the maintenance section of the owner's manual, and most automakers publish it on their owner websites. Note whether your driving counts as normal or severe.
- Write down where you are now. For each service, the date and odometer reading of the last time it was done. If you don't know, treat it as due.
- Set the next due point for each. Last time plus the interval, by miles and by date.
- Log every service when it's done. Date, mileage, what was done, parts and fluids used, who did it and what it cost. What to record, and a printable log.
Questions
Should I go by miles or by months?
By whichever comes first. Most schedules give both because oil, coolant and rubber age even when the car sits still. A car that's driven little still needs its oil changed on the calendar.
Do I still need an oil change every 3,000 miles?
For most modern cars, no. AAA says most engines have a recommended interval of 5,000 to 7,500 miles. Your owner's manual, or the car's oil-life monitor if it has one, is the number to follow.
What is the severe service schedule?
Most owner's manuals list two schedules: normal and severe. The severe one has shorter intervals and applies to driving the manual describes as hard on the car, often towing, lots of short trips, stop-and-go traffic or dusty roads. Many people's everyday driving qualifies, so check which one fits yours.
Does doing my own maintenance void my warranty?
No. The FTC says you don't have to use the dealer for repairs or maintenance to keep your warranty in effect. Keep records and receipts of every oil change, tire rotation and other service, whoever does it, so you can show the car was maintained. See how to keep a maintenance log.
Which source wins if they disagree?
Your owner's manual. The ranges on this page are typical figures for passenger cars; the manual is written for your engine, transmission and coolant.
Tracking it on your phone
Wrenchy is our iPhone app for exactly this: it starts with the schedule above, you change any interval to match your manual, and it reminds you when each service is due by date or mileage. Records stay on your phone, with no account. Other apps do this too; we compare them here.