Car maintenance schedule:

Car maintenance schedule: why it's important to have -- and follow -- a car maintenance checklist.

The Car Care Council has developed a car maintenance schedule to provide general guidelines for the regular treatment of passenger cars, mini vans, pickups and SUVs.

Intervals are built around an oil change every 3,000 miles, an accepted recommendation for the majority of motorists who are severe service drivers. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual or Haynes Repair Manual for specific recommendations by the car maker.

Do-it-yourself difficulty guide for following a car maintenance schedule:

EASY AVERAGE ADVANCED

Estimated time required -- 15 Minutes -- 1 Hour

Save money in the long run -- and get better vehicle performance -- by adhering to this car maintenance checklist.

Advance Auto Parts has plenty of do-it-yourself articles to help with regular vehicle maintenance and repair schedule. Performing your own preventative car maintenance will save you hundreds of dollars a year.

You can use this general car maintenance checklist to guide you. But, again, you should refer to your owner's manual or Haynes Repair Manual for more specific information regarding your vehicle maintenance schedule.

Car maintenance schedule:

Check monthly

• Check Engine Light On

• Cleaning

• Lights

• Tire Inflation and Condition

• Windshield Washer Fluid

Check every 3 months / 3,000 miles

• Automatic Transmission Fluid

• Battery and Cables

• Belts

• Check Engine Light On

• Engine Oil and Filter

• Exhaust

• Fuel Filter

• Hoses

• Lights

• Power Steering Fluid

• Tire Inflation and Condition

• Windshield Washer Fluid

Check every 6 months / 6,000 miles

• Automatic Transmission Fluid

• Battery and Cables

• Belts

• Chassis Lubrication

• Check Engine Light On

• Polish

• Engine Air Filter

• Engine Oil and Filter

• Exhaust

• Fuel Filter

• Hoses

• Lights

• Power Steering Fluid

• Tire Inflation and Condition

• Windshield Washer Fluid

• Wiper Blades

Check every 9 months / 9,000 miles

• Automatic Transmission Fluid

• Battery and Cables

• Belts

• Check Engine Light On

• Engine Air Filter

• Engine Oil and Filter

• Exhaust

• Fuel Filter

• Hoses

• Lights

• Power Steering Fluid

• Tire Inflation and Condition

• Windshield Washer Fluid

Check every 12 months / 12,000 miles

• Automatic Transmission Fluid

• Battery and Cables

• Belts

• Brakes

• Cabin Air Filter

• Check Engine Light On

• Polish

• Coolant (Antifreeze)

• Engine Air Filter

• Engine Oil and Filter

• Exhaust

• Fuel Filter

• Hoses

• Lights

• Power Steering Fluid

• Steering and Suspension

• Tire Inflation and Condition

• Windshield Washer Fluid

• Wiper Blades

For best results, follow your car maintenance checklist -- and visit Advance Auto Parts for the quality auto parts needed to stay on track.