> What do I need to know about car maintenance?

What do I need to know about car maintenance?

Posted at: 2015-01-07 
As PMack suggests . . . regular maintenance is all outlined in the Owners Manual. You will see a lot of service items expressed as "time or mileage", such as "every 7500 miles, or every 6 months whichever comes first". Believe it = the normal maintenance required by modern cars is minimal: changing oil & filter, changing fuel & air filters mostly.....those items don't cost much if done twice a year and well worth it in making your car last. While reading your manual, also note small things like rotating tires, checking brake wear, lubricating locks and hinges . . . if you find a good shop for regular maintenance and occasional repairs, they'll be glad to give your car a "once over" while they've got it in for oil change, etc.

Ask for an oil change. An oil filter and several quarts of oil will be replaced. No mechanic would have the nerve to b.s. someone that their new car needs any further maintenance. Resist any attempt to sell you anything but an oil change. If you're offered further services, say that you'll have your mechanic look at it. Say nothing more.

Being a new car it is all under warranty. If you refused their maintenance package then it is up to you to read the owners manual regarding maintenance and do it. Oil AND Oil filter is the order of the day...if you cannot afford both then do the Filter as it takes out the grit. Oil has lasted for"millions of years".

Read your owners manual, it will tell you what is required. You can always to more than what the manual says but don't do less - if you skip oil changes and you have engine problems it could void your warranty. Do the factory recommendations at a minimum. It's all in there.

I'm a new car owner and I'm scheduled to have an oil change soon because I'm close to 5k miles.

Do I just need oil change? Are they going to do more? I bought a brand new car so there wouldn't be that much maintenance needed.

I also don't want to get ripped off for things that I don't need.

Thanks,

Have a nice day.