What Is the Recommended Maintenance Schedule for My Toyota?
Routine maintenance is one of the most
important ways you can care for your car. According to a study by iSeeCars.com,
Toyota cars make up more than half of the top 15 models most likely to reach
200,000 miles — but that impressive achievement doesn’t happen without
following a maintenance schedule closely. So what is the schedule for your
Toyota?
What
is a recommended maintenance schedule?
Setting and following a maintenance
schedule can help you stay on top of what your car needs and when instead of
waiting too long. This schedule dictates what your Toyota needs at certain mileage
intervals, like 5,000 miles, 25,000 miles, and 50,000 miles.
Most cars have similar needs, but those
needs can still differ based on the make and model, as well as on the driving
conditions. For example, a car driven regularly on dusty roads may need more
frequent oil and cabin filter changes. Alternately, some car components may need
less maintenance than others. Your car’s engine oil should be changed once or
twice a year, but the battery may not need to be changed for five years or
more.
Why
is a recommended maintenance schedule important?
Staying on top of recommended maintenance
is important not only because it will help your car run well but also because
it can help you avoid large repair bills and even accidents.
Falling behind on vehicle maintenance can
have a number of negative consequences on your car, ranging from mild
inconveniences to major risks of personal harm. For example, if you neglect to
maintain your tire pressures at the recommended amount, it can increase wear and
tear, reduce fuel economy, impair handling, and lead to a potentially
accident-causing blowout. Forgetting oil changes reduces engine performance and
eventually causes total engine failure, incurring a hefty repair bill.
Where
can I find a recommended maintenance schedule?
Staying on top of maintenance can be
complicated because every car’s needs are different depending on how you drive
them. For example, if you frequently tow big loads with your Tundra pickup, the
brakes will wear faster.
The best resource for finding a good
maintenance schedule for your car is its owner’s manual. The manual includes
thorough documentation of guidelines, recommendations, and detailed maintenance
advice specific to your Toyota model. You may also find an owner’s guide for
your Corolla or RAV4 through the mobile Toyota app.
A good alternative to the owner’s manual is
asking for a maintenance schedule at a local Toyota dealership like Family
Toyota of Burleson. Our technicians are Toyota factory-trained and have the
expertise to draft a maintenance schedule tailored to your vehicle.
Recommended
maintenance schedule for your Toyota
Every car is different, but the
recommendations below should do well for the majority of Toyota drivers in
Burleson, Texas.
You should strive to get a service
appointment for your car every six months or 5,000 miles, whichever comes
first, to change the engine oil and rotate the tires. Our technicians will also
inspect the brake pads, fluid levels, and wiper blades to maintain as needed.
If you use synthetic oil, it may only need to be changed every 10,000 miles.
In addition to the maintenance performed
every 5,000 miles, there are a few more items to check when inside the
15,000-20,000 mile range: the air filter, battery, and coolant. Every
20,000-30,000 miles, you’ll want to get the fuel filter, power steering fluid,
and radiator hoses checked. At the 40,000-mile mark is when spark plugs
typically need to be inspected. Before the 60,000-mile mark, you should get
brake pads and rotors checked. Timing belts and the ignition system come in at
the 90,000-mile mark.
It’s important to come in for regular
service appointments so our technicians can inspect your car and determine what
it really needs. Call Family Toyota of Burleson, Texas, to schedule your next
appointment!