Your Car Maintenance Checklist

A guide to common services and their price ranges

By Benjamin Preston

April 18, 2024

illustrated icons of windshield wipers, oil container and funnel, and tire with alignment marks

Nothing will do more to make your car last longer than keeping on top of basic upkeep, CR’s experts say. While the best source for maintenance intervals is your car’s owner’s manual, these are the general guidelines.

Also read How to Save Money on Car Repairs.

Your Maintenance Checklist

Coolant Flush

INTERVAL: Up to 100,000 miles

PRICE: $373-$400

Time and engine operation change the pH of the coolant, which can damage parts like head gaskets. Some coolants last two years, and some types will last several years. Be sure your mechanic uses the correct type for your car.

Oil change

INTERVAL: 5,000, 7,500, and 10,000 miles are the most common

PRICE: $131-$145

Engine oil lubricates and cools internal engine parts, and changing it according to the owner’s manual keeps it free of the dirt and debris that naturally build up during normal engine operation.

Tire rotation

INTERVAL: When you see uneven treadwear

PRICE: $35-$45

The front wheels tend to wear more quickly than the rear ones. To make the tires wear more evenly and last longer, they should be rotated from front to back, and vice versa, periodically.

Tire balancing

INTERVAL: Not needed unless a problem arises

PRICE: $27-$34 per tire

Tires can sometimes wear in a way that causes them to go off-balance and vibrate, prematurely wearing brakes, wheel bearings, and other suspension parts. It’s important to get them rebalanced so that they spin smoothly.

Wipers

INTERVAL: At least once per year

PRICE: $68-$86

Heat and cold, as well as road surface debris like salt, can degrade the rubber on your wipers. Dry, cracked blades will smear dirt and moisture over your windshield instead of wiping it away, leading to reduced visibility.

Rear differential fluid change

INTERVAL: See owner’s manual (30,000-60,000 miles)

PRICE: $84-$99 (depends on model)

Many popular car models are equipped with all-wheel drive, which includes an oil-filled rear differential. This oil should be changed according to the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule.

Brake pads

INTERVAL: Typically 25,000-50,000 miles (have inspected at every oil change)

PRICE: $259-$300

“Ask your shop to use the best brake pad and rotor replacement parts possible, because poor-quality parts can impact braking performance,” says John Ibbotson, CR’s chief mechanic.

Spark plugs

INTERVAL: Around 100,000 miles

PRICE: $212-$276

Although they usually last about 100,000 miles, spark plugs wear over time and need replacing. “Spark plugs are easier to replace in some cars than others, but any shop should be able to change them,” Ibbotson says.

Timing belt

INTERVAL: 60,000-120,000 miles

PRICE: $603-$785

Some cars have timing chains that can last the life of the engine. Others have rubber timing belts that need to be replaced according to the recommended maintenance schedule. It’s a fairly involved job, but most shops can do it.

Lightbulbs

INTERVAL: When one burns out

PRICE: Varies (LEDs are more expensive)

Headlamp and taillamp bulbs should last years, but when they burn out, replace them with the factory recommended model. Don’t use “brighter” aftermarket versions that can strain the car’s electrical system.

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Upkeep Your Car May Not Need

A repair facility may recommend a service more frequently than your car manufacturer recommends or repairs that go beyond fixing what’s presently broken. While more frequent maintenance certainly won’t hurt your car, overkill means overpaying in most cases. Here are services you may not need.

Tighter service intervals: If your mechanic suggests coming in for oil changes or tire rotations that are more frequent than what’s in the car’s owner’s manual, don’t be afraid to ask why or to push back if you don’t think your driving counts as “severe duty.”

Editor’s Note: This article also appeared in the May/June 2024 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.

Benjamin Preston

Benjamin Preston has been a reporter with the Consumer Reports autos team since 2020, focusing on new and used car buying, auto insurance, car maintenance and repair, and electric bikes. He has covered cars since 2012 for the New York Times, Time, the BBC, the Guardian, Road & Track, Car and Driver, Jalopnik, and others. Outside CR, he maintains his own small fleet of old cars and serves as a volunteer firefighter, specializing in car crash response and vehicle extrication.