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Car Maintenance & Service Checklist

Your car is a sophisticated machine with complex systems that interact and depend on each other… much like your physical body. Just as you need a balanced diet, regular exercise, and check-ups from your health care provider to stay in good physical health, your car needs regular attention and maintenance to extend its life and to keep running at its peak.

By adhering to the car service and maintenance recommendations below in our checklist, you can expect to pass your next Maryland car inspection and also enjoy auto savings over the life of your vehicle!

Car Maintenance & Service Checklist

Every 3 months, or every 3,000 miles
ServiceWarning Signs/Service Indicators
Oil change – Rockville, MD
  1. The” oil” light comes on.
  2. You exceed the recommended date or mileage suggestions on your oil sticker on the windshield.
  3. You notice sludge in the engine. Your engine makes noises.
  4. Your engine temperature runs hot
Every 6 months, or every 6,000 miles
ServiceWarning Signs/Service Indicators
Tire RotationYou notice uneven wear on your tires
Annually, or every 15,000 miles
ServiceWarning Signs/Service Indicators
Air Conditioning Service
  1. The air conditioning does not sufficiently cool your car.
  2. Your engine overheats.
  3. You hear noises from the vent or engine compartment when the AC is on.
  4. You notice odors coming from the vents when the AC is on.
Wheel Alignment
  1. You install new tires.
  2. You replace suspension parts.
  3. You hit a curb or pothole hard.
  4. You encounter steering or handling problems.
  5. The steering wheel is not level when the car is moving in a straight direction.
  6. Your tires become noisy.
Every 2 years or every 30,000 miles
ServiceWarning Signs/Service Indicators
Brake System Flush
  1. Your brake pedal feels “soft”.
  2. The brake pedal sinks to the floor after extended braking.
  3. The brake pedal sticks in cold weather.
Cooling System Flush
  1. You observe any evidence of rust in the system.
  2. Coolant color is brown or muddy.
  3. Your engine overheats.
  4. The coolant pH level is too low or too high.
  5. Your engine either overheats or produces no heat, indicating possible coolant freeze.
  6. Gel forms around the radiator cap or in the coolant tank.
  7. You find oil in your coolant.
  8. Extended Life antifreeze should be serviced every four years or 60,000 miles.
Fuel System Service
  1. Perform as part of a regular tune-up.
  2. Your engine loses power.
  3. Gas mileage drops.
  4. The engine hesitates during the first few minutes of operation after a rest period.
  5. Your engine misfires intermittently.
  6. Your engine pings during acceleration.
Power Steering Flush
  1. Perform before any major steering part replacement: gear box, rack pinion pump, or hoses.
  2. Your car’s power steering system exhibits noise, stiffness, rough or hard turning.
  3. Fluid appears dark in color, brown, or contaminated.
  4. Steering becomes noticeably harder (or easier) with temperature change, either hot or cold.
Transmission Fluid Flush
  1. Your car’s transmission fluid shows signs of contamination.
  2. You experience slippage, rough shifting or hard shifting while driving.
  3. The transmission fluid appears dirty brown or smells like it’s burning.
  4. Your car’s shifting patterns do not feel normal in some way.
  5. Your engine loses power.
  6. You notice a delay in shifting up or down.
  7. The shift handle is hard to move.
Every 4 years or every 60,000 Miles
ServiceWarning Signs/Service Indicators
Spark Plug Wires, Distributor Cap and Rotor Replacement
  1. You notice a lack of power.
  2. The engine misfires or hesitates under load.
  3. Your gas mileage drops.
  4. The “check engine” light comes on or flashes.
  5. Your car exhaust smells like sulphur (rotten egg).
  6. Your car fails emissions testing due to elevated hydrocarbons.
Every 6 years or every 90,000 Miles
ServiceWarning Signs/Service Indicators
Follow the recommendations for 30,000 miles.
  1. Regularly check your car’s service recommendations in MyCar.
  2. Follow the recommendations in your owner’s manual.
  3. Follow your service provider’s recommendations. Some items may need more attention and more frequent service if your car is driven in harder conditions than the manufacturer anticipates or recommends.
After 10 years or 120,000 Miles
ServiceWarning Signs/Service Indicators
Follow the recommendations for 60,000 miles.
  1. Regularly check your car’s service recommendations in MyCar.
  2. Follow the recommendations in your owner’s manual.
  3. Follow your service provider’s recommendations.   Some items may need more attention and more frequent service if your car is driven in harder conditions than the manufacturer anticipates or recommends.
As needed
ServiceWarning Signs/Service Indicators
Complete Computerized Engine Analysis
  1. You experience engine trouble.
  2. You experience a transmission problem.
  3. The “check engine” or “service” light comes on.
  4. Your car’s information system warns you of an engine problem.
Electrical System Analysis
  1. Your car fails to start or stay running.
  2. The battery light flashes or stays dimly lit.
  3. Other systems start to malfunction.
Manufacturer’s Recommended Maintenance
  1. Regularly check your car’s service recommendations in MyCar.
  2. Follow the recommendations in your owner’s manual.
  3. Follow your service provider’s recommendations. Some items may need more attention and more frequent service if your car is driven in harder conditions than the manufacturer anticipates or recommends.

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