Linked sources.
Where we cite NHTSA or FuelEconomy.gov, we link to the page.
How to plan car maintenance service
Car care guides with government links. Not a repair shop.
Scroll
Start with the manual
A shop's service menu may list many items. Which ones your car needs, and when, is in your owner's manual.
What we publish
Car Maintenance Service publishes plain guides to routine car maintenance and choosing a shop. Where a guide cites NHTSA, FuelEconomy.gov, or a state attorney general, we link to the page. We do not repair cars or book service.
How to use these guides
- Read your schedule. The owner's manual sets it.
- Run the monthly checks. Tires, fluids, lights, and recalls.
- Go to the shop ready. Written estimate, approval, invoice.
The guides
How to read your car maintenance schedule
Your manual sets the schedule.
Oil changes: use the interval in your manual
Interval and grade from the manual.
Tire pressure and tread, from NHTSA
Pressure, tread, and the penny test.
Brake checks from NHTSA and your manual
Fluid, lights, and pedals.
How to check car recalls by VIN on NHTSA
Your VIN, on the NHTSA tool.
How to read a car repair estimate
Estimate, approval, invoice.
Dealer or independent shop: how to choose
Questions for any shop.
Car maintenance checklist
A short list each month.
Why use these guides
Your manual first.
Intervals come from your owner's manual.
No picks.
We do not rank or name shops.
Plain checklists.
Short lists to run before a shop visit.
Who it is for
Adult drivers who look after their own car. It is not a repair shop, and it does not diagnose cars.
