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 Car Maintenance Checklist: 9
Essential Steps That Anyone
Can Do
Blog Maintenance Tips

October 22, 2019

Nobody likes reaching into their pocket to pay the mechanic. That’s why it’s important to take
preventative measures with regular DIY maintenance, especially if you drive a vehicle that is
considered “old” by today’s standards. If you want to save money while taking extra-special
care of your daily driver, our car maintenance checklist will help ensure all your bases are
covered when it’s time to pop the hood and kick the tires.

Beyond longevity, keeping any vehicle in good shape with standard maintenance procedures
also increases safety. When a car is running smoothly and performing optimally, not only is
there less strain on your car engine and other components, your driving ability won’t be
impeded by a compromised vehicle.

Staying on top of a car maintenance checklist won’t singularly avoid potential collisions or
accidents, but a highly functional vehicle can help save you on the road and in the pocketbook.
With that in mind, here are some DIY vehicle maintenance tasks that you can do easily by
yourself.

The first thing you need to do is find your owner’s manual…(hint: it’s in the glove box.)

Get familiar with your owner’s manual

Many drivers tend to ignore their owner’s manual, but think of it this way: If you bought a new
tech gadget, would you just start using it without reading any of the instructions? That mindset
also applies to a car.

Every car comes with an owner’s manual. This manual covers all the car’s features and
components under the hood and inside the cabin. You can make a note of the areas and
details you want to learn about as you go through this list.

The manual holds important information that includes a suggested maintenance

schedule covering all the parts and fluids the car needs regularly replaced. It can range from
how often to change your oil, and when is the best time to swap out filters or belts. In the case
of motor oil, it will note which type it runs on, so you know what to look for when it’s time for a
change.

Your owner’s manual will also outline all safety measures to take as you go through your car
tune up checklist, so make sure you study it closely for your own safety.

A quick 60-second inspection can reveal

a lot
Some parts of a car are highly visible so you know when something’s up. For example, make
sure to check that all lights work every so often. Headlights, taillights, and turn signal lights are
important to driver safety and are required to be in working order by law. You should also
check for rust on the body, undercarriage, and under the hood. Rust can spread and do
serious damage if left untreated.

Under the hood, you can also do a quick car battery check.
With the car battery, you’re looking for any frayed cables, cracks in the casing, corrosion, dirt,
and other signs of damage.

You can also do a quick check of various fluids as well, especially oil and washer fluid, which
are very accessible and easy to inspect. Anytime you see a leak, it’s important to get it
checked out right away to mitigate any further damage and costly repairs.

But as important as routine 1-minute inspections are, you’ll need to dive a bit deeper from time
to time to ensure your car stays in perfect running order. This checklist covers:

1. Engine oil
2. Coolant, antifreeze, steering, and transmission fluids
3. Battery
4. Tires
5. Air and cabin filters
6. Spark plugs
7. Belts
8. Windshield wipers
9. Check Engine light

1. Check the engine oil in your car

Oil change businesses will place stickers on the windshield with a future odometer reading as
the recommended point for when you should return to change it again. Not every vehicle is the
same—nor is every engine—so the number provided may not necessarily jive with the
automaker’s suggested threshold.

Though man-made, synthetic oil lasts longer and is considered cleaner and more efficient
than regular oil or synthetic blends. That usually means you can accumulate more
kilometres before you need to change it. Your owner’s manual should offer some guidance on
engine’s viscosity and the average mileage per oil change. Compare that figure to an oil
changer’s estimate, and you will have a general idea on when to return.

You can always check oil levels by using the dipstick, or in some newer vehicles, an electronic
gauge. If the oil is really dark or looks muddy in texture, it’s time for a change. Good
engine oil is somewhat translucent with a smoother texture to it.

2. Check the other fluids in your car

Cars run on other fluids too, and you can manually check them yourself. The easiest is washer
fluid, which can quickly run out in the winter, and is also very easy to refill when you’re running
low.

Engine coolant, antifreeze, and steering fluid all come with dipsticks or gauges, making it easy
to check fluid levels at a glance. Your owner’s manual may not specify how to check or refill
them, but you can familiarize yourself with where they are and have a look.

Manuals often won’t mention transmission fluid, as there is no universal mileage figure on
when to change it, so it’s best to check with the manufacturer to get a recommendation.

Coolant and antifreeze have distinct drains, though topping up and replacing/refilling it are two
distinctly different tasks. If you are running low, be it a leak or something else, topping up is
easy. If it’s time to flush or drain the fluids, then there is more work required to get there.