Maintenance basics.

Every manufacturer publishes an actual maintenance schedule specific to your car. The numbers below are general orientation — a starting point, not a substitute for that schedule.

📘 General ranges, not exact figures. Your owner's manual is the authority for your specific vehicle.

Oil changes

Modern conventional oil is commonly good for roughly 5,000 miles; full synthetic often stretches to 7,500–10,000. The exact interval is manufacturer- and engine-specific — your owner's manual overrides any general rule of thumb.

Tires

Rotate roughly every 5,000–7,500 miles so they wear evenly. Check tread depth and pressure monthly — underinflated tires quietly hurt both fuel economy and safety.

Brakes

Pad life varies hugely by driving style and terrain — anywhere from roughly 25,000 to 70,000 miles. Squealing or grinding means inspect now, not "eventually."

Timing belt vs. chain

If your engine has a timing belt (not a chain), missing its replacement interval risks catastrophic engine damage if it snaps. Look this up for your specific engine — it's one of the most expensive things to get wrong.

Why this matters when buying used: deferred maintenance is one of the biggest hidden costs of ownership — small, cheap fixes ignored for years become expensive failures. If a used car you're considering has spotty service records, budget for catching it up, not just the purchase price.