How to Perform a Vehicle Maintenance Service

Many people automatically think anything that deals with their vehicle maintenance needs to be dealt with by a professional. These instructions will prove otherwise. Approximately every 3,000 to 5,000 miles a vehicle should be serviced. To some people this just means changing the oil, but what a vehicle really needs is an overall maintenance. Here are the general steps that should be taken for a vehicle maintenance service.

Basic Services Performed:
1. Oil Change (Steps 3-6)
2. Tire Rotation (Steps 7-9)
3. Tire Pressure (Step10)
4. Check Fluid Levels (Step 11)

Step 1: Purchase Oil and Filter

Photo courtesy of acdelco.com

Look in your vehicle's manual to determine what type of oil and how much to purchase. Purchase the oil at your local auto parts store. While there, you can also ask them what type of oil filter you need for your vehicle.

Comments

[MrPapaya]

Where are the heavy-duty jack stands? Floor jacks are only for lifting the car until you can put proper jack stands under it. Hydraulic & scissor jacks can and do fail. I've seen it happen.

[BRBarry]

I am always looking for a good checklist of pre/post trip inspection or general maintenance. But I must say this instructable could give some just enough info to be dangerous. What would be helpfull is a diagram of the proper tire rotation,(if needed). The things to be looking for when the tires are off, eg. brake pads and what to be looking for on them, the rotors, calipers, shocks and springs, etc. and things to be looking for to trouble shoot. Also when the tires are off you might as well put some grease in them nipples that will be easier to get at. ha ha...nipples. I find that the oil pan plug should stay off until the old filter is removed, that way if any spills out it will still drain and not dirty the new oil as much, as well as filling the new filter with clean oil prior to install. And not to mention, you might want to wear shoes, not sandals.

[audreyobscura]

This is a good general post about vehicle maintenance! Thank you!