Car maintenance schedule by mileage: a 2026 checklist
What to service at 5,000, 30,000, 60,000 and 100,000 miles — and roughly what each item costs. Your owner's manual is always the final word, but this is the shape of it.
This guide is educational information, not professional mechanical advice. You work on your vehicle at your own risk. Brakes, steering, suspension, airbags and fuel systems are safety-critical — have a certified mechanic do or verify that work. Treat any torque figure or spec as a starting point and confirm it against your manufacturer/OEM service data.
Routine maintenance is the cheapest insurance you can buy for a car: a $150 fluid service is a lot less painful than the $4,000 transmission it can prevent. But the intervals are easy to lose track of. This checklist lays out what typically comes due at each mileage milestone. Treat it as a general map for a mainstream gasoline vehicle — your owner's manual / OEM maintenance schedule is authoritative, and severe-service driving shortens everything. For a list tailored to your exact odometer, use our maintenance scheduler.
Manufacturers set intervals for your specific engine, transmission and drivetrain, and they publish separate "normal" and "severe" schedules. The mileage bands below are common ranges, not gospel. Where a range is wide (spark plugs, coolant), that reflects real differences in materials — iridium plugs and long-life coolant last far longer than older equivalents.
Every 5,000–7,500 miles
- Engine oil & filter — the core service. Synthetic stretches further; see our oil change interval guide. Roughly $65–$120.
- Tire rotation — usually every other oil change, to even out tread wear. About $25–$60, often free with tire purchase.
- Visual inspection — check tire tread and pressure, wiper blades, and top up washer fluid.
Every 15,000–30,000 miles
- Engine air filter — affects performance and economy; $20–$60.
- Cabin air filter — affects HVAC airflow and smell; a cheap, easy DIY on many cars.
- Brake inspection — pads wear at very different rates; inspect rather than replace on a fixed schedule. See our brake pad cost guide.
- Brake fluid — many makers call for a flush around 30,000 miles or every few years, because brake fluid absorbs moisture. This is a safety-critical system — have it done by a certified mechanic.
Every 30,000–60,000 miles
- Transmission fluid — drain-and-fill or flush; sooner if you tow. Roughly $100–$300.
- Engine coolant — older coolant every ~30,000–60,000 miles; long-life (OAT) coolant can reach 100,000+.
- Serpentine belt — inspect for cracking and glazing; replace as needed.
- Battery — most 12V batteries last 3–5 years; have it load-tested. See the signs you need a new battery.
Every 60,000–100,000 miles
- Spark plugs — iridium/platinum plugs commonly last 90,000–100,000 miles; copper far less.
- Timing belt — if your engine uses a belt (not a chain), this is critical. On an interference engine, a snapped belt can destroy the motor. Replace on schedule; often done with the water pump.
- Suspension & steering — inspect shocks, struts, bushings and CV boots for wear.
- Major fluid check — power steering, differential and transfer-case fluids where applicable.
| Service | Typical interval | Rough cost |
|---|---|---|
| Oil & filter (synthetic) | 7,500–10,000 mi | $65–$120 |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–8,000 mi | $25–$60 |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | $20–$60 |
| Brake fluid | ~30,000 mi | $90–$150 |
| Transmission fluid | 30,000–60,000 mi | $100–$300 |
| Coolant | 30,000–100,000 mi | $100–$200 |
| Spark plugs | 30,000–100,000 mi | $140–$350 |
| Timing belt (if equipped) | 60,000–100,000 mi | $500–$1,000 |
How to stay on top of it
Keep a simple log — a note in your phone with the date, mileage and what was done — so you are never guessing. Enter your current odometer into our maintenance scheduler to see which of these items is closest for your car, and price any of them in the repair cost estimator. And remember: the checklist above is a general guide, but your manufacturer's schedule for your exact vehicle always wins, especially for safety-critical items like brakes and the timing belt.
Frequently asked questions
What maintenance is due at 60,000 miles?
Around 60,000 miles many cars need spark plugs (if not iridium), transmission fluid, coolant, and a thorough brake and suspension inspection. Timing-belt engines often need the belt and water pump around 60,000 to 100,000 miles. Verify the exact list in your owner's manual.
What is the most important maintenance to never skip?
Oil changes and, on timing-belt engines, the timing belt. Skipping oil changes causes sludge and engine wear; a snapped timing belt on an interference engine can destroy the motor. Brake service is the key safety-critical item.
How much does regular car maintenance cost per year?
It varies widely by vehicle and mileage, but AAA's annual 'Your Driving Costs' study puts routine maintenance, repairs and tires among the significant ongoing costs of ownership. Budgeting a few hundred dollars a year for routine service is reasonable for most cars.
Should I follow the normal or severe maintenance schedule?
Use the severe-service schedule if you make lots of short trips, sit in stop-and-go traffic, tow, or drive in extreme heat, cold or dust. Many everyday drivers actually fit the severe-service description.
Where do I find my exact maintenance schedule?
In your owner's manual or the separate maintenance booklet, and often in the manufacturer's app or website for your VIN. That schedule is authoritative for your specific engine and drivetrain.
Get your list, sorted by what's closest
Enter your odometer and yearly miles to see exactly what's coming due for your car.
Sources & further reading
- Car Care Council (non-profit), "Car Care Guide" service schedule — carcare.org.
- US Department of Energy / EPA, fueleconomy.gov "Keeping Your Vehicle in Shape" — fueleconomy.gov.
- AAA, "Your Driving Costs" annual ownership-cost study — newsroom.aaa.com.
Figures are ranges that vary by region, vehicle and shop. Verify current prices with a local quote and any specification against your OEM service data.