How Often Should I Service My Car?
Never ignore the regular maintenance on your vehicle if you want to keep a car that will last for years. The exact maintenance schedule depends on the manufacturer of your vehicle and even the model and year, but there are a few key types of maintenance that will generally need to be done at a few key points during the lifespan of your vehicle. For precise dates and suggestions, you should check your owner’s manual. We will be using general recommendations in this article. These key points are when your vehicle hits a general odometer reading, and these are at 15,000 miles, 30,000 miles, 60,000 miles, and 90,000 miles.
15,000-Mile Service
Your vehicle's odometer reading is still pretty low, and there are only a few fairly inexpensive things that you need to do. First of all, you should keep up with the oil changes that you have already been doing. On newer vehicles, the oil needs to be changed every 5,000 to 10,000 miles rather than the older vehicle's oil change intervals of 3,000 miles. But when you reach 15,000 miles, you should also consider replacing the air filter. This piece keeps the air that you breathe in the cabin fresh and free of mold, dust, and allergens from outside. You'll also want to check the tread on your tires and have them rotated. Finally, make sure that your mechanic inspects the cooling and brake systems.
30,000-Mile Service
In addition to the things that you had checked at your 15,000-mile service, there are a couple of other things that you need to inspect. Consult your user manual to find out what material your spark plugs are made with. Many newer vehicles are made with titanium or iridium, but low-grade spark plugs are made with copper. Spark plugs made of this material can need replacement as early as 30,000 miles. You should also have your fuel filter checked so that you can be sure that the gas pump won't have to work too hard.
60,000-Mile Service
As the mileage on your car, truck, or SUV gets higher, the number of services that you will need done to it increases, as well. Check the things that you did at the 30,000-mile service, but also add a thorough inspection of the brake pads, rotors, and brake fluid. The pads on the brakes act as a cushion between the caliper and the rotors. When you push your brake pedal, the caliper and brake pad press against the rotor. Over time, these pads wear down from the friction. If the brake pads wear through, you will likely need to replace the rotors because they have been damaged. You also want to make sure that your brake fluid is full, clean, and free of moisture because if the line is corroded or cut, fluid could have escaped or unwanted materials could have contaminated the brake fluid. Also, check your coolant so that your radiator doesn't overheat, and check your transmission fluid so your transmission is well lubricated.
90,000-Mile Service
Hoses and belts could need replacement at this point. They are both made of rubber which can crack and tear after repeated use. The timing belt is the most important item to have checked because if this one tears when the vehicle is running, many expensive components could be damaged. Also, if you have spark plugs made of titanium or iridium, this is about the time that they might begin to fail. Finally, power steering fluid is what keeps your steering wheel turning easily and noiselessly. If you've noticed any noises or hard turning, have this checked, too.
For more details about your Ford F-150, Explorer or Fusion maintenance schedule, as well as any other model in the lineup, please consult your owner’s manual or contact Frontier Ford for further information.