Car Maintenance Schedule by Mileage: Complete Guide

Regular vehicle maintenance prevents breakdowns, extends your car’s life, and maintains resale value. Here’s what to do and when.

Quick Reference: Maintenance by Mileage

Every 3,000-7,500 Miles

Oil Change

• Conventional oil: 3,000-5,000 miles
• Synthetic oil: 5,000-10,000 miles
• Check your owner’s manual for specifics

Every 5,000-7,500 Miles

• Tire rotation — Extends tire life
• Fluid check — All fluids topped off
• Visual inspection — Belts, hoses, lights

Every 15,000-30,000 Miles

• Air filter — Affects performance and fuel economy
• Cabin air filter — For air quality inside car
• Brake inspection — Check pads and rotors

Every 30,000-60,000 Miles

• Transmission fluid — Check/replace per manual
• Spark plugs — (Some last to 100K)
• Coolant flush — Prevents overheating
• Power steering fluid — If applicable
• Brake fluid — Every 2-3 years regardless of mileage

Every 60,000-100,000 Miles

• Timing belt — Critical! Failure = engine damage
• Water pump — Often replaced with timing belt
• Serpentine belt — Check condition, replace if worn
• Battery — Test, replace if weak

Service by Vehicle System

Engine

Service	Interval	Notes
Oil change	3,000-10,000 mi	Based on oil type
Air filter	15,000-30,000 mi	More often in dusty areas
Spark plugs	30,000-100,000 mi	Check manual
Timing belt	60,000-100,000 mi	Not all cars have one

Brakes

Service	Interval	Notes
Inspection	15,000-30,000 mi	Or with tire rotation
Brake pads	25,000-70,000 mi	Depends on driving
Brake rotors	50,000-70,000 mi	May be resurfaced
Brake fluid	2-3 years	Absorbs moisture over time

Transmission

Service	Interval	Notes
Fluid check	30,000 mi	Top off if needed
Fluid change	30,000-60,000 mi	Some are “lifetime”
Filter	With fluid change	If applicable

Cooling System

Service	Interval	Notes
Coolant check	15,000 mi	Top off if needed
Coolant flush	30,000-50,000 mi	Prevents corrosion
Hose inspection	Annually	Check for cracks

Tires

Service	Interval	Notes
Pressure check	Monthly	Affects safety and MPG
Rotation	5,000-7,500 mi	Extends tire life
Alignment check	Annually	Or if pulling
Replacement	25,000-50,000 mi	Check tread depth

Tracking Your Maintenance

The challenge: remembering what’s due and when. Solutions:

Paper Log

Old school but effective. Keep a small notebook in your glove box.

Dealership Reminders

They’ll remind you—but also try to upsell services.

Dedicated App

Apps like Dib track vehicle maintenance alongside home management:

• Log all services with dates and mileage
• Set reminders for upcoming maintenance
• Store vehicle documents (registration, insurance)
• Track costs over time

DIY vs. Professional Service

Good for DIY

• Oil changes (if you’re comfortable)
• Air filter replacement
• Windshield wipers
• Light bulb replacement
• Fluid top-offs

Best Left to Pros

• Timing belt replacement
• Brake work
• Transmission service
• Suspension repairs
• Electrical issues

Extending Vehicle Life

Beyond scheduled maintenance:

1. Don’t skip oil changes — Most important single maintenance item
2. Address warning lights — Don’t ignore dashboard warnings
3. Warm up briefly — 30-60 seconds in cold weather
4. Drive gently — Aggressive driving increases wear
5. Keep it clean — Wash regularly, including undercarriage

Get Organized

Start tracking today:

1. Find your owner’s manual (or download it)
2. Check current mileage
3. Note when major services were last done
4. Set up reminders for upcoming maintenance

Dib makes vehicle tracking easy—add your cars, log services, and never wonder when the last oil change was again.