Regular service keeps your car safe, reliable, and affordable. The right cadence for vehicle maintenance depends on mileage, driving habits, climate, and your manufacturer’s guidance.
Why seasonal timing matters:
- After hot summer roads - Heat and long trips strain fluids, hoses, and cooling systems; a late-summer checkup catches heat-related wear.
- As winter ends - Salt, moisture, and repeated cold starts affect brakes, batteries, and the undercarriage; a spring inspection restores reliability.
- Before fall routines - In autumn, families take more trips and spend time commuting or carpooling; preventive car maintenance reduces breakdowns.
Mileage and reminder guidelines:
- Most makers recommend vehicle maintenance every 5,000–7,500 miles; low-mileage drivers should still service the car yearly.
- Schedule a comprehensive inspection every 12,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first.
- Modern vehicles display service reminders on the dashboard or in a companion app; follow alerts that adjust to your conditions.
- Severe service, short trips, towing, dusty routes, stop-and-go traffic, or extreme heat/cold shorten intervals for car maintenance.
What typical service includes:
- Oil and filter service per your owner’s manual.
- Brake inspection for pad wear, rotor condition, and fluid level.
- Tire rotation, pressure check, alignment, and tread depth measurement.
- Battery test, coolant and other fluid checks, and inspection of belts and hoses.
- Cabin and engine air filter replacement to maintain airflow and efficiency.
If you skip maintenance, you risk:
- Overheating in traffic from degraded fluids or a weak cooling system.
- Longer stopping distances due to worn pads or corroded hardware.
- Lower fuel economy from dirty filters, worn plugs, or underinflated tires.
- Unplanned roadside expenses that cost more than scheduled car maintenance.
How often to schedule:
Most manufacturers recommend basic vehicle maintenance every 5,000–7,500 miles. Harsh conditions, stop-and-go traffic, heavy loads, or extreme weather shorten that interval. Always review your owner’s manual to keep service tailored to your vehicle’s needs.
To know more about how often should you really get vehicle maintenance? Contact our ASE-certified technicians at Cannon Auto Repair for more information about car maintenance and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop proudly serves residents in the community of Cannon Falls, MN, and the surrounding areas.

Regular service keeps your car safe, reliable, and affordable. The right cadence for vehicle maintenance depends on mileage, driving habits, climate, and your manufacturer’s guidance.
Why seasonal timing matters:
- After hot summer roads - Heat and long trips strain fluids, hoses, and cooling systems; a late-summer checkup catches heat-related wear.
- As winter ends - Salt, moisture, and repeated cold starts affect brakes, batteries, and the undercarriage; a spring inspection restores reliability.
- Before fall routines - In autumn, families take more trips and spend time commuting or carpooling; preventive car maintenance reduces breakdowns.
Mileage and reminder guidelines:
- Most makers recommend vehicle maintenance every 5,000–7,500 miles; low-mileage drivers should still service the car yearly.
- Schedule a comprehensive inspection every 12,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first.
- Modern vehicles display service reminders on the dashboard or in a companion app; follow alerts that adjust to your conditions.
- Severe service, short trips, towing, dusty routes, stop-and-go traffic, or extreme heat/cold shorten intervals for car maintenance.
What typical service includes:
- Oil and filter service per your owner’s manual.
- Brake inspection for pad wear, rotor condition, and fluid level.
- Tire rotation, pressure check, alignment, and tread depth measurement.
- Battery test, coolant and other fluid checks, and inspection of belts and hoses.
- Cabin and engine air filter replacement to maintain airflow and efficiency.
If you skip maintenance, you risk:
- Overheating in traffic from degraded fluids or a weak cooling system.
- Longer stopping distances due to worn pads or corroded hardware.
- Lower fuel economy from dirty filters, worn plugs, or underinflated tires.
- Unplanned roadside expenses that cost more than scheduled car maintenance.
How often to schedule:
Most manufacturers recommend basic vehicle maintenance every 5,000–7,500 miles. Harsh conditions, stop-and-go traffic, heavy loads, or extreme weather shorten that interval. Always review your owner’s manual to keep service tailored to your vehicle’s needs.
To know more about how often should you really get vehicle maintenance? Contact our ASE-certified technicians at Cannon Auto Repair for more information about car maintenance and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop proudly serves residents in the community of Cannon Falls, MN, and the surrounding areas.
