Weather strips can wear down as your car gets older, leading to water leaking into your car. Inspect your strips at least once after three months and use covered parking to reduce your chances of a leak.

When to see a mechanic depends on how old your vehicle is and whether you are currently experiencing vehicle problems.

Even if your car is new and you have few problems, you should take your car in at least once a year. If your car is older and has issues, you should schedule maintenance appointments every few months. You can figure out how to choose a mechanic by reading reviews online. Look for a mechanic with expertise in repairing your make and model.

Vehicle maintenance isn't complicated. Wash your car and check your oil levels once a month or before any long drive. You should change your oil and inspect your brake pads and tire treads every three months.

Keep an eye on your battery and weather strips and make repairs when you notice problems like residue or leaking water. Schedule an appointment with a mechanic every year so you can stop problems before they become significant.

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Wash Your Car Even small amounts of dirt and grime can scratch the paint off your car and corrode your suspension and undercarriage. Remove Unused Items Heavy items can reduce your fuel economy and put stress on your tires.

Check Your Fluid Levels After one month of driving and before any major road trip, you should check your fluid levels. Change Your Engine Oil Oil changes prevent sludge from building up in your engine and allow your car to remain running on cold days.

Fix Your Headlights You should also check your headlights at least once a month. Check Your Brake Pads You should check your brakes once every six months. Test the Tire Treads While your car is off the ground, you should inspect the tires and see if they have the proper tread.

Change Your Battery Symptoms of bad car batteries include residue and your car failing to start when you turn it on. Therefore, this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within listing categories, except where prohibited by law for our mortgage, home equity and other home lending products.

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While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service. Your car should be treated with care. But a busy schedule can make it easy to overlook the maintenance your car needs to run well.

The upside is that you can follow simple tips to keep your vehicle in great shape and preserve its resale value. Whether your car is new or older, you can keep it in exceptional shape by giving it the treatment it deserves.

Here are some car care tips to get you started:. Schedule routine wash and wax treatments for your ride once every six months. You can also do it yourself to save money. All vehicles have a suggested routine maintenance schedule based on the miles driven. You can find it in the manual or request it from the dealership.

Most cars require routine maintenance every 5, miles or six months, but some let you go even longer between services. Mechanics perform an oil change and multi-point inspections to ensure the vehicle is running correctly.

They check for wear and replace items like air filters or windshield wipers. To save money over the life of your vehicle, you can learn how to perform some basic maintenance — including oil changes — yourself.

These include spark plugs, oil filters, fuel filters, PCV valves, belts and hoses. Consider asking the service department for cost estimates before tune-ups are needed so you will be prepared.

There is no standard for how frequently you should have your brakes checked. However, experts recommend doing this every time your tires are rotated or every six months.

Select a day each month to check your fluid levels and note it in your calendar. It will only take a few minutes, and you can make a handy checklist to know what to do when the time comes.

Be sure to include engine oil, coolant, power steering fluid and windshield washer fluid. You should also check the brake fluid and transmission fluid at least twice a year — preferably every six months.

However, low fluid levels could indicate significant issues with your vehicle. Plus, you will likely spend more money later on repairs if the issues are left undetected. But there are two easy, inexpensive ways to monitor your tire tread. You can buy a tread depth gauge or use a penny.

Take the car to a tire dealer to confirm. Proper tire inflation contributes to vehicle safety and optimal fuel efficiency. Also, learn the proper inflation specs for your tires by looking in your owner's manual or inside your driver's door, adds Bennett. It's vital to check the tread levels on your tires, whether they're all-weather or snow tires, says Klongerbo.

Every month, while your car is sitting on a flat surface, make sure all your fluids are topped off, advises Bennett.

With some vehicles, you can see the tanks containing the liquids, but most have gauges or dipsticks that pull out so you can check the levels and color. Always look in your owner's manual for instructions, and look around and under your car to check for fluid leaks, which could signal a problem with the car.

Driving safely requires good visibility, so check your wipers to see if they are lying flat or standing up, advises Bennett. Take some windshield washer fluid or a wet rag and clean them so they're not streaking on you, and don't forget your back wiper. Swapping out wiper blades is fairly simple: After pulling the wiper away from the windshield, press the small tab underneath and slide the blade off.

Line up the new wiper with the arm and slide it down, pulling it tight until it clicks. Over time, engine oil filters get dirty and clogged with debris, decreasing your fuel economy and swapping them for new ones isn't hard. Milchtein posted a video of herself changing her air filter , which takes just a few minutes.

Your owner's manual will recommend when to change your engine air filter, but depending where you live, you may need to change it more often, she adds. Anytime you turn on your heat or air conditioning, the air blowing through your vents is going through a cabin filter, says Campbell.

Cabin filters are often behind the glove box, which pops out fairly easily to reveal the access panel behind it. Before a road trip, be sure your battery is fully charged, says Campbell, who suggests purchasing a volt meter or a battery tester.

Clean off any mineral buildup on the battery contact terminals, and make sure they're tight, adds Bennett. Most batteries last three to five years. To change it yourself, you'll need an adjustable wrench or ratchet set to loosen the positive and negative battery cables and the clamp holding it in place.

Then, switch out the old battery for the new one and reconnect. To learn more about preventive car maintenance, AAA's auto repair section offers resources and videos. Your Guide to Modern Auto Maintenance.

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Lighten your load Change your air filter Refresh your windshield wipers

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Free car maintenance tips - Clean, protect, and refresh your floor mats Lighten your load Change your air filter Refresh your windshield wipers

There you go—13 car maintenance tips, and how to budget for them so you can enjoy the ride with less stress. on your car and on you. Ramsey Solutions has been committed to helping people regain control of their money, build wealth, grow their leadership skills, and enhance their lives through personal development since Millions of people have used our financial advice through 22 books including 12 national bestsellers published by Ramsey Press, as well as two syndicated radio shows and 10 podcasts, which have over 17 million weekly listeners.

Learn More. Used cars may not be as cheap as they once were. But you can still find a reliable used car in your price range!

When should you repair your car, and when should you replace it? We'll show you how to make the right choice in a few easy steps! Trusted Services. Free Tools. Sign In Get Started. We're Hiring! See Openings. Check your spare tire.

Maintenance tip: Test the air pressure of your driving tires and your spare tire once a month. Change the oil. Keep the battery clean.

Replace the brake pads. Replace your cabin air filter. Get new windshield wipers. Maintenance tip: Check your windshield wipers at the change of each season and replace them when necessary.

Get your tires rotated. Check the shocks, springs and struts aka the suspension system. Maintenance tip: Check the shocks and full suspension system every 15,—30, miles.

Check your coolant. Check your spark plugs. Maintenance tip: Check and change the spark plugs about every 30, miles. Inspect your belts and hoses.

Maintenance tip: Replace your timing belt every 60, miles and your serpentine belt every 40, miles. Check your headlights, turn signals, brake and parking lights. Maintenance tip: Have a friend help you make sure everything is working well by testing out the headlights, turn signals, brake lights and parking lights once a month.

Do the emissions inspection. Check with your local department of motor vehicles about the specific requirements in your state. Bonus maintenance tip: Check out our Ramsey Car Guide for more info on buying, selling and maintaining your vehicle!

Interference engines that use rubber timing belts rely on the integrity of the belt to run properly. If the belt were to break while driving, catastrophic engine damage can occur.

Vehicles that use timing chains rather than rubber timing belts may never need a replacement. While most modern batteries don't need much tending to, it's good to know how to check them and where they are. This is especially true if you suspect there's an issue with your battery.

The best time to check it is when you check your vehicle fluids. Just take a quick look at your car battery while the hood is popped.

If there is, don't worry. All you need to do is clean the contacts with a battery cleaning brush. Your Toyota Service Center can handle this maintenance for you. Just follow these steps to get them looking new again:. Make sure you wear gloves and try not to touch any part of the corrosion.

Old and worn-out windshield wipers won't work very well, or at all, which means you won't be able to see if you are driving in inclement weather. Replace them before you think you need to. The best time to replace wipers is if your windshield is still dirty after running them. For example, if you see streaks after using the wipers, it may be time to get a new set.

Wipers are inexpensive and simple to replace. Your dealer, mechanic, and local auto parts store can all help you find the right wipers for your car.

Your car "breathes" better with clean filters. According to FuelEconomy. gov, the official U. government source for fuel information, replacing filters improves acceleration and fuel economy. Your vehicle's engine works best on a mixture of air and fuel. Any debris or other contaminants that get sucked into your engine along with air can damage its ability to run well.

That's why it's important to replace a dirty or dusty filter for a cleaner engine. If you have been in an area with a lot of dirt and dust, check your air filter.

You may need to replace the air filter sooner than you think. Clean and working spark plugs are essential to a smooth running engine. However, as with the battery, your spark plugs can get covered in buildup. Dirtier spark plugs mean the engine has to work harder to get a spark.

You may have to clean or replace the spark plugs throughout the life of your car. Luckily, spark plugs are one of the easiest and cheapest engine parts to replace. In general, you should check about once every year. For assistance with this task, you can ask your dealer's Toyota mechanic to check them for you.

Keep your car running safely as well by checking your brake pads. While your vehicle may have built-in sensors to alert you if the brake pads need attention, you should listen for signs of problems just in case.

If the brake pads need replacing, you might hear squeaking or even metal grinding. Any noises you hear from your brakes could be worth checking on. Brake linings wear gradually, so you might not notice if they are not working great until something goes wrong.

Being proactive about brake maintenance can prevent you from having to replace more expensive parts like rotors. A clean car not only makes for a happy driver, it helps the car run better, too.

This is probably the simplest car maintenance advice, but it's easily overlooked. With how busy life gets, car owners often don't make time to clean out and wash a car. Here's why you should be nice to your car.

Washing not only keeps your vehicle looking good, it is also a good way to maintain that new-car finish. Allowing a layer of dead bugs, bird droppings, dirt, and chemicals to accumulate on your vehicle can strip away wax and, eventually, the paint.

Without a protective layer, your vehicle can begin to rust. These cleaners can strip off the protective wax. Use a cleaning product designed specifically for cars instead. As with maintaining its interior, maintaining the outside of the engine is important, as well. Dirt build-up in your engine can do damage in the long term.

When the engine has cooled, use a wet cloth to clean minor debris from the inside of the engine. You can buy a special cleaner for the inside of your engine, but warm water and a towel works fine, too. Cleaning your engine is a simple way to help keep your car in top running condition.

Another way to keep your vehicle performing at its best is to simply take it easy while driving. This may seem like a silly tip, but it's true. Similarly to the human body, pushing your vehicle hard can take a toll over time.

Taking off quickly or applying the brakes suddenly increases premature wear and tear. Jerking around on the steering wheel can also cause damage over time.

By driving smart and safe, you can keep your car happy and running in better shape for longer. One of the best ways to keep your vehicle running great is to work on a problem as soon as it arises.

You can do this if you have the right tools. Carry the basic automotive tools with you at all times.

You can keep a small set of tools in your trunk for easy access. Also, make sure you have a clean pair of jumper cables with your tools.

Being prepared is key when it comes to quickly addressing problems with your car. Depending on where you live, you can help your car last longer by covering it up. Keeping your car away from sunlight and other outdoor elements can add years to the life of the paint job.

You can buy special car covers for your brand and style. Keeping it in the garage or under a carport is also a useful option. Keeping paint fresh and new helps keep your car from rusting and breaking down. Check with your car manufacturer if you need a new one. For that reason, keep these car maintenance tips in mind!

Read More Read Less. View ToyotaCare Benefits. There are at least three good reasons for this: The first reason: genuine parts and expert customer care. Your Toyota dealer will have the knowledge and parts to keep your car running well.

Dealers often put a sticker on your vehicle that includes a reminder of the date of your next maintenance service. Yet, some locations will take it a step further with reminder emails about your appointment.

That way, you can schedule a time that works for you and better remember the date and time of your appointment.

The second reason has to do with history. Going to the same Toyota dealer for maintenance means you'll have a complete service history for the vehicle. Potential buyers may consider this an added bonus when considering your vehicle for purchase.

The third has to do with price. A well-maintained car with up-to-date records attracts a better resale price. If you do decide to sell, you could get a much better payout. Read more Read less.

View ToyotaCare Plus Benefits. View Toyota Owner's Manuals. The Importance of Oil Changes If your car uses conventional motor oil, it likely should be changed every 3, miles or 3 months. Use the Correct Octane Rating. View Toyota Owner's Manual. Check Your Tire Pressure. Get Your Tires Rotated. Find a Toyota Service Location.

Check Out Your Car. Schedule Maintenance. Toyota Dashboard Light Guide. Ask About Serpentine and Timing Belts.