#Checklist car maintenance manual

#Checklist car maintenance manual

If your car is a manual transmission, one key wear item that prevents you from stalling your vehicle is the clutch assembly.

Of course, consult your manual to get your manufacturer’s recommendation. Expect to change these plugs anywhere between 50,000 kilometers to 100,000 kilometers or every 5 years depending on how you drive. Most manufacturers run these kinds of plugs in order to cut down on changes while still retaining a good amount of spark for the engine to ignite the air-fuel mixture. The most recommended and often-used plugs in most modern cars are iridium spark plugs.

This will last anywhere between 30,000 kilometers to 50,000 kilometers depending on your use. This type offers the best middle ground for people that are looking for a great spark but with a bit more longevity. Platinum spark plugs are more expensive than copper, but they do last longer at the cost of a reduced spark. If you rev your car more liberally, then your change should be earlier. If your run copper plugs, expect to change this out every 20,000 kilometers, or every 1 to 2 years depending on your use. There are 3 main types of plugs, all with varying levels of longevity and performance.įor plugs, conductivity will determine the strength of the spark, and copper offers the best spark among the three types at the cost of longevity. You also can run a lighter weight oil allowing your engine to move easier.įor gasoline motors, you need to change your spark plugs in order to ensure that your engine doesn’t misfire. You can also run a slightly thinner oil if you go with this type.įully-synthetic is the most expensive of all the types, but it will be the most resistant to heat, and won’t thin out at higher temperatures so the consistency remains the same. It’s more resistant to heat but isn’t as expensive as fully-synthetic. Semi-synthetic blends the best of both synthetics with cost-effective mineral oil. Mineral oil is the most cost-effective but is least resistant to heat, thus you need a thicker oil to make sure it doesn’t thin out when your engine reaches higher temperatures. It is also important to go with the right spec of oil and also take note of the formulation of the oil you will use, be it mineral, semi-synthetic, or fully-synthetic. It is important to remember that motor oil also breaks down over time even when not in use and oxidizes. If it’s below the level after you’ve run the car for a bit, then it’s most likely time to get your oil topped up or changed. Change your motor oil every 4,000 to 10,000 kilometers, or every 3 months to a year depending on your manufacturer’s recommendations.