How to Plan and Track Essential Car Maintenance Tasks

June 25, 2023

From oil changes to routine brake inspections, you need to stay on top of quite a few car maintenance tasks. But with different tasks coming at different intervals, how do you keep track? Learn what maintenance tasks you should be tracking, different ways you can track them, and how tracking maintenance can help you budget.

What Car Maintenance Tasks Should You Track?

Not every part of your car follows the same maintenance schedule. Some components should be changed every few months, while others might be good for a year or longer. While you should always check your Nissan owner's manual for exact maintenance intervals, below are some general guidelines for tracking vehicle maintenance.

• Oil and Oil Filter:You should check your oil level every other time you fill up your gas tank and have the oil and oil filter replaced about every 5,000 miles or six months. For synthetic oil, changes are usually done around every 10,000 miles or 12 months.
• Fluid Levels:Your Nissan counts on many fluids to help keep it running smoothly. You should check that your coolant, windshield washer fluid, brake fluid, and power steering fluid (if equipped) are clean and at good levels at least every three months.
• Battery Check:Your battery should last three to five years, but driving conditions and climate can affect its lifespan. You should have your battery tested at your local service center about twice a year to ensure its in good condition.
• Vehicle Waxing:Waxing your Nissan every six months or twice a year can help protect the paint and prevent rust.
• Cabin and Engine Air Filters:Typically, you should replace your engine air filter and cabin air filter about every 15,000 to 30,000 miles. However, you may need to replace them more often if you live somewhere with a lot of dust.
• Brake System:You can generally expect to get plenty of mileage out of your brake pads and rotors, but it's a good idea to have your entire brake system inspected every six months or at the same time as your tire rotations to catch any problems early on.
• Full Vehicle Inspection:Your car has many components like belts, shocks and struts, spark plugs, and differentials that can be difficult to check on your own. It's a smart move to bring your Nissan in for a full inspection at least once a year or before a big road trip.

How to Keep Track of Car Maintenance Tasks

With so many tasks to track, how do you keep up with car service reminders? You have a few different options ‐ all you have to do is find the one that works best for you.

Keep a Paper Log

One way to keep track of vehicle maintenance is with a good old-fashioned paper log. You can DIY a paper log or find one online. Make sure you log the date a service is completed, the mileage it's completed at, and the estimated mileage or date for your next service. Stow this log in your glove box so you always have it on hand when your next service appointment comes up. It could be beneficial to also note the cost of each service.

Create a Digital Spreadsheet

If pen and paper aren't your thing, you can try keeping a digital spreadsheet instead. Again, you can customize your own or find premade templates online. Similar to the paper log, you'll want to note the date, mileage, and cost for each service. Hold on to your post-service paperwork so you can log it on your spreadsheet once you get home.

Download a Convenient App

There are tons of great apps you can download onto your smartphone that will help you track your maintenance tasks and give you notifications when you might be due for another service. Some apps may even track your gas mileage, which can help alert you to possible car issues.

The MyNISSAN App is perfect for Nissan owners. This app gives you quick, convenient access to important vehicle information, such as any recalls. It also helps you find the closest Nissan service center, schedule an appointment, and view your service history.

How to Budget for Car Maintenance

Logging your vehicle maintenance not only helps you stay on top of essential tasks, but it can also help you plan your budget. As you log, you'll get to know your car or truck better and have a good idea of how long it takes you to hit certain maintenance intervals.

For example, maybe it usually takes you four months to reach the mileage interval for an oil change. Tracking the average cost of your oil change service will help you budget for that extra expense every four months. The same concept applies to other services like tire rotations and inspections. Plus, staying on top of maintenance tasks can help you discover problems early on before they require bigger, more expensive repairs.