Your Car Maintenance Checklist

Consumer Reports’ guide to common car maintenance items, their price ranges, and how often you should do them

By Benjamin Preston

Updated by Stef Schrader and Jon Linkov

Updated April 18, 2026

illustrated icons of windshield wipers, oil container and funnel, and tire with alignment marks

Nothing will do more to make your car last longer than keeping on top of basic upkeep, Consumer Reports’ experts say. While the best source for maintenance intervals is your car’s owner’s manual, these are the general guidelines.

Before you head to the shop, you should also read our guide on how to save money on car repairs.

Your Maintenance Checklist

Maintenance schedules vary from car to car, but guidance from our professional mechanics should give you an idea of when to perform certain maintenance tasks and a rough price range for what you can expect to pay for the work.

Coolant Flush

INTERVAL: Up to 100,000 miles

PRICE: $200-$400

Time and engine operation alter the coolant's pH, making it less effective and potentially damaging parts like head gaskets. Some coolants last two years, and some types will last several years. Be sure your mechanic uses the correct type for your car.

Oil change

INTERVAL: 5,000, 7,500, and 10,000 miles are the most common

PRICE: $75-$150

Engine oil lubricates and cools internal engine parts, and changing it according to the owner’s manual keeps it free of the debris that builds up during normal engine operation. An independent mechanic or quick-lube location will be less expensive than the car dealer.

Tire rotation

INTERVAL: Every 5,000 - 7,500 miles

PRICE: $45-$75

Front tires tend to wear more quickly than rear ones. To make your car’s tires wear more evenly and last longer, periodically rotate them from front to back and, if your tread pattern allows, side to side. Don't spend money on a rotation if you are a few weeks or months away from replacing the tires.

Tire balancing

INTERVAL: Not needed unless you feel a vibration

PRICE: $27-$34 per tire

Tires can sometimes wear in a way that makes them go out of balance and vibrate, and wheels can occasionally shed balancing weights, causing them to wobble. This prematurely wears wheel bearings and other suspension parts. It’s important to get them rebalanced so that they spin smoothly.

Wipers

INTERVAL: At least once per year

PRICE: $50-$90

Heat, cold, and debris like salt can degrade the rubber on your wipers. Dry, cracked blades will smear dirt and moisture over your windshield instead of wiping it away. This is an easy do-it-yourself task. Remember to keep your washer fluid topped off as well.

Rear differential fluid change

INTERVAL: See owner’s manual (30,000-60,000 miles)

PRICE: $85-$150 (depends on model)

Differentials play a key role in putting your car’s power to the ground, and all cars have them. All- and four-wheel-drive models sometimes have more than one. Like other components, these need to stay well-lubricated to work properly without breaking down. This oil should be changed according to the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule.

Brake pads and rotors

INTERVAL: Typically 25,000-50,000 miles (have inspected at every oil change)

PRICE: $500-$950

We recommend replacing the rotors and pads together. “Ask your shop to use the best brake pad and rotor replacement parts possible, because poor-quality parts can impact braking performance,” says John Ibbotson, Consumer Reports’ chief mechanic.

Spark plugs

INTERVAL: Around 100,000 miles

PRICE: $200-$500

Although spark plugs usually last about 100,000 miles, they wear over time and need replacing. “Spark plugs are easier to replace in some cars than others, but any shop should be able to change them,” Ibbotson says.

Timing belt

INTERVAL: 60,000-120,000 miles

PRICE: $600-$1,400

Many cars have rubber timing belts that need to be replaced according to the recommended maintenance schedule. It’s a fairly involved job, but most shops can do it. Other cars have timing chains that can last the life of the engine. There is generally no maintenance schedule for these as most automatically adjust, but it’s worth checking periodically to make sure the adjuster is working.

Lightbulbs

INTERVAL: When one burns out

PRICE: Varies (LEDs are more expensive)

Headlamp and taillamp bulbs should last years, but when they burn out, replace them with the factory-recommended model. LED replacements may be more expensive because the entire housing is replaced, but they last much longer. Don’t use “brighter” aftermarket versions that can strain the car’s electrical system.

Icons by Tim Boelaars

Car Maintenance That May Not Be Needed

A repair facility may recommend a service more frequently than your car manufacturer recommends or repairs that go beyond fixing what’s presently broken. While more frequent maintenance certainly won’t hurt your car, overkill means overpaying in most cases. Here are some services you may not need.

Tighter service intervals: If your mechanic suggests you come in for oil changes or tire rotations more frequently than the car’s owner’s manual recommends, don’t be afraid to ask why or push back if you don’t think your driving counts as “severe duty.”

More on Maintenance and Reliability

• Consumer Reports’ Car Maintenance and Repair Guide
• When to Replace Your Tires
• Best Car Batteries for the Money Based on Extensive Testing
• Can Using Gas With 15 Percent Ethanol Damage Your Car?
• Who Makes the Most Reliable New Cars?
• 12 Long-Lasting Cars Proven to Get to 200,000 Miles and Beyond
• Car Brands Ranked by Maintenance and Repair

Editor’s Note: This article has been updated since it appeared in the May/June 2024 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.

Benjamin Preston

Benjamin Preston covered new and used car buying, auto insurance, car maintenance and repair, and electric bikes for Consumer Reports.