Build a maintenance plan from your manual.

Make a small service log

Create four columns: service item, last completed, next due, and receipt location. Start with the manufacturer’s schedule for your model and usage. A mileage reminder alone misses items with a time limit; a car driven infrequently can still need attention.

The FTC’s repair guidance recommends following the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule and getting a written estimate for repair work. Ask a shop to explain any additional service it proposes and why your car needs it now. Keep agreed work and authorization limits in writing.

Give tires a regular check

NHTSA recommends checking tire pressure monthly, using the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended cold pressure. Look at the door-jamb label or owner’s manual, not the maximum figure on the tire sidewall. Check the spare too when your car has one.

While checking pressure, look for visible damage and unusual wear. A warning system does not replace manual checks. Ask a tire professional about damage, vibration, or recurring pressure loss instead of simply topping up indefinitely.

Respond to changes

New warning lights, leaks, unusual noises, or a change in steering or braking merit professional assessment. Follow the owner’s manual for urgent warnings and safe stopping instructions. A maintenance article cannot diagnose a fault or say that it is safe to keep driving.

The DOE/EPA maintenance guidance explains why appropriate tire pressure and the specified motor-oil grade matter. Avoid universal “every car needs this at this mileage” rules when your manufacturer gives a different schedule.

Keep recall checks alongside scheduled maintenance. A service receipt and a recall remedy record answer different questions, so retain both when you later sell the vehicle.