Car Maintenance 101 | Trail, BC

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Regular maintenance is a critical part of car ownership. It can help prevent small issues from becoming big — and expensive — ones. You can also help increase your car’s resale value if you keep a detailed record of its maintenance history. But what, exactly, do you need to do to take care of your vehicle? This general car maintenance guide should help you better understand how to keep your car in tiptop condition.

Know Your Recommended Schedule

In the owner’s manual of every vehicle, you will find a recommended maintenance schedule from the manufacturer. This schedule lets you know what items need to be inspected, changed, or replaced within certain time increments. You should stick to this schedule as closely as possible to ensure your car continues running as well as it can.

Regular Oil Changes

Every car needs regular oil and filter changes since the engine will put tiny bits of metal, dirt, and carbon into the oil as you’re driving. These pollutants can cause excessive wear on the engine, damaging it over time.

The amount of time or distance you can go between each oil change will depend on your vehicle and the oil you use. Non-synthetic oil typically needs to be changed every 5,000 kilometres or so, whereas synthetic oil can last between 8,000 and 16,000 kilometres. Your recommended maintenance schedule will tell you the amount of time you should go between oil changes, as well as the type of oil you should use.

Every 48,000 Kilometres

Before your odometer adds another 48,000 kilometres to its count, there are two items that you should make sure to check or replace. Check your cabin and engine air filters, which should be changed between 24,000 and 48,000 kilometres. The fuel filter will also get clogged over time, so make sure this is replaced, too, as recommended by your vehicle’s manual.

Every 96,000 Kilometres

When you get to an additional 96,000 kilometres on your odometer, it’s time to get the following items checked and possibly replaced:

Battery (most usually last four to five years, but make sure you get them checked regularly)
Brake fluid
Brake pads/shoes
Brake rotors
Coolant
Transmission fluid

Every 145,000 Kilometres

If your car has really logged some distance — especially if you’re driving around the mountains in Trail — then it’s important that you get the following items inspected and replaced:

Hoses
Power steering fluid
Spark plugs/ignition system
Timing belt

Taking care of your car can be difficult, but we here at AM Ford Sales are here to help. From our certified technicians and genuine Ford parts to our superior customer service, our Service Centre is ready to help your vehicle run well into the future.