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The maintenance schedule

Use the schedule in your owner's manual for your type of driving, not the shop's (some push extra service). Monthly: check all four tires and the spare when cold, using the pressure on the driver's door label, not the tire, and check tread with a penny; replace at 2/32 inch. Rotate tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles if the manual says to. Use the oil grade the manual lists. Get check-engine lights looked at. Before any repair, get a signed written estimate, and keep every repair order.

Easy15 min to plan, 10 min a monthFree to plan; a tire gauge costs a few dollarsChecked October 2, 2026

You'll need

Your owner's manual (or the maker's website)
A tire pressure gauge to keep in the car
A penny
Your phone calendar

What to know

Find the maintenance schedule in your owner's manual for your type of driving. Some shops make their own schedules that call for more frequent service than the maker recommends, so compare, and ask the shop to explain anything extra. Source: FTC¹
Put the next few items (oil change, tire rotation, inspections) in your calendar by date or mileage.
Check tire pressure monthly. Check all four plus the spare when the tires are cold, meaning the car hasn't been driven for at least three hours. Use the pressure on the label on the driver's door edge or in your manual, not the number on the tire. Source: NHTSA² Don't rely on the dashboard warning: it only comes on when a tire is significantly low. Source: NHTSA²
Check tread the same day. Tires should be replaced at 2/32 of an inch. Put a penny in the tread with Lincoln's head upside down and facing you. If you can see the top of his head, it's time for new tires. Source: NHTSA²
Rotate tires if your manual recommends it, generally every 5,000 to 8,000 miles or sooner if they wear unevenly. Some cars shouldn't be rotated, like those with different front and rear tire sizes. Source: NHTSA²
Use the oil grade in your manual. Using 10W-30 in an engine built for 5W-30 can lower gas mileage by 1% to 2%. Source: FuelEconomy.gov⁴
Don't ignore the check-engine light. It could be as small as a loose gas cap or something that leads to costly repairs, so have a mechanic look. Source: FuelEconomy.gov⁴
Run your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls twice a year. Source: NHTSA³

Watch out Skipping simple maintenance like oil changes or coolant checks can lead to poor fuel economy, breakdowns and costly repairs, and may void your warranty. Source: FTC¹

Your maintenance calendar

Intervals come from your owner's manual unless noted. Fill in your car's numbers.

How often	What
Monthly	Tire pressure (including the spare) and tread Source: NHTSA²
Every 5,000 to 8,000 miles, if recommended	Tire rotation Source: NHTSA²
Per your manual	Oil and filter change, with the oil grade it lists
Per your manual	Coolant, brake fluid and other fluid checks
Twice a year	Recall check by VIN Source: NHTSA³
When installing new tires	Balance them Source: NHTSA²

What a puddle means

From the FTC. Source: FTC¹

Color	Likely cause
Yellowish green, pastel blue or fluorescent orange	Antifreeze leak or overheated engine: bad hose, water pump or radiator
Dark brown or black, oily	Engine oil leak, from a bad seal or gasket
Red, oily	Transmission or power steering fluid leak
Clear water	Usually normal air conditioner condensation

Smells and sounds that mean stop

Burned toast smell: often an electrical short. Try not to drive until it's checked. Source: FTC¹
Hot metallic smell with steam from under the hood: the engine overheated. Pull over right away and get a tow. Source: FTC¹
Gas smell that doesn't go away: possibly a fuel leak, which needs immediate attention. Source: FTC¹
Light smoke from a wheel: a stuck brake. Have it towed. Source: FTC¹
High-pitched screech while moving: brake wear indicators telling you brakes are due. Source: FTC¹

See it done

Video by Consumer Reports Nonprofit

Car Maintenance Myths

Watch on YouTube: Car Maintenance Myths | Consumer Reports

Full title on YouTube: “Car Maintenance Myths | Consumer Reports”2019 · Checked October 3, 2026

Video won't load at school or work? No problem. Everything you need is in the steps; the video's just a bonus. Watch it on YouTube later.

If it doesn't work

Shop recommends a big repair you weren't expecting? Get a second opinion, and ask first whether there's a diagnostic charge if you go elsewhere. Source: FTC¹
Getting a repair? Ask for a signed written estimate listing the problem, parts and labor, saying the shop will call you before going over a set amount. Source: FTC¹
Bad repair or billing dispute? Talk to the manager first and keep records of dates, costs and names. Your state attorney general or local consumer protection office can help. Source: FTC¹
Lost the manual? Most makers post it free on their website. Search your year, make and model plus "owner's manual."

Good to know

The details, if you want them. Tap a line to open it.

Choosing a shop

Look for a shop before you need one, ask people you trust, check for current certifications like an ASE seal, and ask whether they've worked on your make. Source: FTC¹

Get the paperwork

Ask for a repair order that lists each repair, the parts and their cost, labor, and the odometer reading. You can ask for the old parts back. Source: FTC¹

Tires save money

Properly inflated tires can save up to 11 cents a gallon and add about 4,700 miles to a tire's life. Source: NHTSA²

Take it with you

Printable card Download card (PDF)

Sources

Federal Trade Commission Auto repair basics
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Tires
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Recalls
FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA) Keeping your vehicle in shape

Lesson H6.2 · Last checked October 2, 2026 against the sources listed.

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