The maintenance schedule

Your owner's manual has the schedule your car actually needs. Follow it, check tire pressure monthly, run the VIN for recalls, and get written estimates before repairs.

Easy15 min to doFree to plan

You'll need

Your owner's manual (or the maker's website)
A tire pressure gauge
Your phone calendar

Do it like this

Find the maintenance schedule in your owner's manual for your type of driving. Some shops push more frequent service than the maker recommends, so compare (FTC).
Put the next few items (oil change, tire rotation, inspections) in your calendar by date or mileage.
Check tire pressure monthly, when the tires are cold, using the number on the driver's door label (NHTSA).
Run your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls (NHTSA).
Before any repair, get a written estimate that says the shop will call for approval before going over it (FTC).

Watch out. Skipping simple maintenance like oil changes or coolant checks can lead to poor fuel economy and bigger failures later (FTC).

If it doesn't work

Shop recommends a big repair you weren't expecting? Get a second opinion (FTC).
Bad repair or billing dispute? Talk to the manager first and keep records of dates, costs and names (FTC).
Lost the manual? Most makers post it free on their website. Search your year, make and model plus "owner's manual."

Good to know

Choosing a shop

Look for a shop before you need one, ask people you trust, and check for current certifications (FTC).

Get the paperwork

Ask for a repair order that lists each repair, parts, labor and the odometer reading (FTC).

Tires matter most

NHTSA calls proper tire pressure the most important part of tire care (NHTSA).

Sources

Federal Trade Commission Auto repair basics
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Tires
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Recalls

Lesson H5.2 · Last checked October 2, 2026 against the sources listed. See a mistake?