Infographic: A Car Maintenance Checklist That's Easy to Follow

With the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it’s easy to forget about car maintenance. Having a car maintenance checklist can help you keep your vehicle’s maintenance on schedule.

Your Easy-to-Follow Car Maintenance Checklist

From a monthly washing to an annual brake check — and everything in-between — this vehicle maintenance checklist can help you keep your car in top shape throughout the year.

Monthly

• After your vehicle’s monthly scrub down, top off your windshield wiper fluid so you don’t get caught on the road with no way to remove grime.
• Doublecheck your headlights, taillights and brake lights to make sure they’re in working order.
• Make sure your check-engine light isn’t on. If it is, schedule a trip to the mechanic.
• Check your tire inflation, tread and condition. If you’ve reached the 50,000-mile mark on your tires, consider getting a new set.

Quarterly 

Designate the months of January, April, July and October for performing your added quarterly maintenance. Don’t forget about your usual monthly cleaning and inspection during these months.

• Top off your car’s fluids, like the automatic transmission fluid and the power steering fluid.
• Inspect your battery and the cables for signs of wear or corrosion.
• Check your owner’s manual to determine your vehicle’s recommended oil change schedule. But, regardless of the mileage or timeframe, check the oil quarterly.
• Inspect the belts, hoses, fuel filter and exhaust. If these things are out of your wheelhouse, ask your service center to check them for you when you head in for an oil change.

Twice a Year 

When summer and winter roll around, you’ll have a few extra things to check in addition to your typical monthly and quarterly lists.

• Give your car a wax and seal to protect the finish, and inspect your wiper blades for wear.
• Check your owner’s manual for your vehicle’s recommendation for changing the engine’s air filter. Even if it’s not time to change the filter per the manual, inspect it for grime and deterioration, which could lead to engine degradation.
• Check the chassis to see if t needs lubrication.

Yearly 

At the start of the new year, and in addition to the other items on your car maintenance checklist, include these add-ons. 

• Check your brakes to make sure they’re in good condition. For safety purposes, it’s best to get your brakes, steering and suspension looked at by a professional.
• Replace your cabin air filter to make sure you’re breathing clean air while driving and to keep your air conditioner running smoothly.
• Top off your coolant/antifreeze.

Now, you’re set for another year!

Stay Protected

Vehicle maintenance is only one part of being a responsible car owner — and driver. Contact your local Farm Bureau agent to make sure you have the auto insurance coverage you need to keep your car protected.