Car Maintenance Schedule Checklist (Plus Winter Prep)
By Cedar & Ledger
Regular maintenance is cheaper than surprise repairs. This checklist groups common jobs by how often they usually come up, with a winter-prep list for late fall. Your owner's manual has the exact intervals for your car, so always check it first.
This is general information, not mechanical advice.
Quick checklist
- ☐ Find the maintenance schedule in your owner's manual
- ☐ Write down your current mileage and the date of each service
- ☐ Do a quick monthly check: tires, lights, fluids
- ☐ Get the car ready for winter before the first cold snap
- ☐ Keep every receipt in one place
Monthly (5 minutes)
- ☐ Tire pressure, including the spare (the right number is on the driver's door sticker)
- ☐ Tire tread and any bulges or damage
- ☐ All lights: headlights, brake lights, turn signals
- ☐ Windshield washer fluid
- ☐ Look under the car for leaks
Every few months or by mileage (check your manual)
- ☐ Oil and filter change
- ☐ Tire rotation
- ☐ Wiper blades
- ☐ Engine air filter and cabin air filter
- ☐ Coolant, brake fluid and other fluid levels
Yearly or as your manual says
- ☐ Brake inspection
- ☐ Battery test (cold weather is hard on weak batteries)
- ☐ Belts and hoses
- ☐ Alignment check if the car pulls to one side
Winter prep (late October to November)
- ☐ Test the battery
- ☐ Check antifreeze/coolant
- ☐ Switch to winter washer fluid
- ☐ Consider winter tires where conditions call for them
- ☐ Pack a car kit: scraper, blanket, flashlight, phone charger, gloves, small shovel, snacks and water
Keep a log
For each service, write the date, mileage, what was done, who did it and the cost. A log helps you spot what is due, avoid paying for the same job twice, and can help when you sell the car. To plan for costs, add up a year of maintenance and divide by 12 for a monthly set-aside.
Get the printable version
The Car Maintenance & Vehicle Expense Log (10 pages, Letter and A4) has a vehicle info page, maintenance schedule, service and repair logs, a fuel log with MPG, tires and battery, renewals and a monthly cost summary.
Related template: Car Maintenance & Vehicle Expense Log. Also see: Mileage Log & Car Expense Tracker · Winter Storm & Power Outage Planner
See all Cedar & Ledger templates
Frequently asked questions
What does this guide cover?
Common car maintenance by how often it comes up (monthly, by mileage, yearly), a late-fall winter prep list and how to keep a service log.
Do I need a template to do this?
No. A notebook or a sheet you build yourself works fine. Cedar & Ledger also sells spreadsheet templates (I'd earn from a purchase); see the template box at the top of this page.
Is this financial advice?
No. It's general information with example numbers only, not financial, tax, legal or medical advice. Use your own numbers and check anything important with a qualified professional or the official source.