Basic Car Maintenance Schedule by Mileage
Written by Muneeb Rana · Last updated 21 October 2026
Quick answer: A basic car maintenance schedule: oil and filter every 5,000-10,000 miles or 12 months, tire rotation every 5,000-8,000 miles, air filters every 15,000-30,000, brake fluid every 2-3 years, spark plugs at 30,000-120,000 depending on type, and a timing belt (if fitted) around 60,000-105,000. Major services fall near 30k, 60k and 90-100k miles.
TL;DR
- Routine: oil, rotation, inspection every 5,000-10,000 mi.
- Major services near 30k, 60k, 90-100k miles.
- Your owner's manual always overrides general schedules.
This basic car maintenance schedule shows what most cars need at each mileage milestone, with a detailed checklist page for every interval in miles and kilometres. It's based on common manufacturer schedules and AAA guidance; your owner's manual is the final word for your car.
Maintenance schedule by mileage
| Mileage | Kilometres | Typical focus |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000 miles | about 8,000 km | Oil (if due), rotation, checks |
| 7,500 miles | about 12,000 km | Oil, rotation, cabin filter check |
| 10,000 miles | about 16,000 km | Oil, rotation, brake check |
| 15,000 miles | about 24,000 km | Oil, rotation, air filters |
| 20,000 miles | about 32,000 km | Oil, rotation, coolant, battery |
| 30,000 miles | about 48,000 km | Major: filters, brake fluid, plugs (copper) |
| 40,000 miles | about 64,000 km | Brakes, brake fluid, belts, alignment |
| 50,000 miles | about 80,000 km | Brakes, belts, hoses, suspension |
| 60,000 miles | about 97,000 km | Major: fluids, plugs, timing belt (some) |
| 75,000 miles | about 121,000 km | Tires, suspension, belts |
| 90,000 miles | about 145,000 km | Major: fluids, plugs, timing belt (some) |
| 100,000 miles | about 161,000 km | Major: plugs, coolant, timing belt (some) |
| 120,000 miles | about 193,000 km | Plugs, fluids, suspension |
| 150,000 miles | about 241,000 km | Coolant, timing belt (some), inspection |
| 200,000 miles | about 322,000 km | Full inspection plus routine items |
Metric schedules: 10,000 km service · 20,000 km service · 40,000 km service · 60,000 km service · 100,000 km service.
Time-based items
Some jobs depend on age, not miles: oil at least once a year on most schedules, brake fluid every 2-3 years, battery tests after 3 years (AAA says batteries typically last 3-5), tires replaced at 6-10 years regardless of tread (NHTSA), wipers every 6-12 months. See the car maintenance checklist.
Normal vs severe schedules
Short trips, stop-and-go traffic, towing, dust and extreme temperatures put many drivers on the severe schedule, with shorter intervals. Read how often to service a car and how often to change oil.
Build your own schedule
Enter your mileage in the free maintenance schedule generator to see what's due now and next, and estimate costs with the maintenance cost calculator. For an EV, see electric car maintenance; for older cars, high-mileage car maintenance.
Track it
CarO logs every service with date, mileage and cost and reminds you about the next one (oil change reminder).
Download CarO free on the App Store or Google Play. Free with ads; optional in-app purchases.
Sources
- AAA: Time-Stamped Car Maintenance Checklist: www.aaa.com (accessed 21 October 2026)
- Toyota: Maintenance Schedule (owners): www.toyota.com (accessed 21 October 2026)
- NHTSA: Tire Safety (TireWise): www.nhtsa.gov (accessed 21 October 2026)
- AAA: How Long Do Car Batteries Last?: www.aaa.com (accessed 21 October 2026)
Disclaimer: CarO and this website give general car-care information, not professional advice. Maintenance intervals and specifications vary by vehicle, so always follow your owner's manual and a qualified mechanic. Mileage and cost figures are estimates; check local tax rules before using any log for deductions.
FAQ
What is a basic car maintenance schedule?
Oil and filter every 5,000-10,000 miles or yearly, tire rotation every 5,000-8,000 miles, regular inspections, and bigger services around 30,000, 60,000 and 90,000-100,000 miles.
What maintenance is due at 60,000 miles?
Often oil, rotation, air filters, brake fluid, transmission fluid, spark plugs on some cars, and a timing belt on some engines.
What is the most important car maintenance?
Oil changes, tire care and brakes, plus time-based fluids like brake fluid and coolant.
Do maintenance schedules differ in km?
The intervals are the same distances; metric schedules often use round numbers like 10,000 or 15,000 km.
Where do I find my car's maintenance schedule?
In the owner's manual or warranty and maintenance booklet, and often on the manufacturer's website.
Track this in CarO
CarO is a free car maintenance tracker app for iPhone and Android that keeps a full service history, reminds you about oil changes and inspections by mileage or date, and logs fuel fill-ups with MPG, odometer readings and car expenses for every vehicle you own. Logs are stored in the cloud and can be exported as CSV.
