How Often Do You Need to Service Your Car?

If you are a conscientious driver, you won’t take good care of your vehicle.  But you may be wondering just how often do you need to service your car?  The answer is actually quite simple. Follow the factory-recommended service schedule that is listed in your owner’s manual.  This will help ensure that you are driving as safe as possible, especially if you are planning to head out for a summer road trip.

With the advancements in technology, many newer cars have a maintenance reminder system built-in that makes mileage-based schedules obsolete. This reminder system is programmed to take a number of car driving conditions into account and provides an alert on the instrument panel when it is time for certain services, such as oil changes, fluid level inspects, component checkups, and other car services.  Even though you should be able to trust this reminder system, it’s still a good idea to double-check with your car repair mechanic about any recommended services, especially if you don’t drive put many miles during a year’s time.

Older vehicles have service intervals based on the number of miles driven within a certain time period. There are generally two different maintenance schedules listed in your owner’s manual—one for cars driven in “normal” conditions and another for those driven in “severe” operating conditions. The exact definition of “severe” varies, but it will usually include one or more of the following conditions:

• Primarily short trips (5 miles or less) 
• Sustained stop-and-go driving
• Extremely hot, cold, or dusty climates
• Mountainous terrain
• Carrying heavy loads or towing a trailer.

Plan ahead for any needed car repair and service maintenance by finding an auto shop and technician you can trust before you need them.  Use them for small jobs to inspect them out for a shop’s appearance, technician training and certification, insurance coverage, and customer satisfaction. 

Wondering how often do you need to service your car?  Consult our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, for more information about car services and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.