READING YOUR MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
This guide is general information, not a substitute for your owner’s manual or a qualified technician. Always confirm specs and fitment for your exact vehicle.
Where to find it
Your vehicle’s factory maintenance schedule is in the owner’s manual or a separate warranty and maintenance guide. Many manufacturers also publish these guides online by model and year. AutoForge includes factory schedules for many Toyota, Nissan, Mazda and Subaru models, linked to the manufacturer’s published guide.
Miles or months, whichever comes first
Most items list both a distance and a time interval. You do the service at whichever comes first. A car that is driven very little still needs time-based service, because oil, brake fluid and rubber parts age even when the car sits.
For example, Toyota’s 2020 maintenance guides in AutoForge list engine oil at 10,000 miles or 12 months, tire rotation at 5,000 miles or 6 months, and engine air filter replacement at 30,000 miles or 36 months for the covered models. Your model and year may differ.
Normal vs. special operating conditions
Many schedules have a second, shorter set of intervals for harder use, often called “severe”, “special operating conditions” or similar. Common examples are towing, lots of short trips, extended idling, dusty or unpaved roads and extreme temperatures. Read your guide’s definitions and use that column if they fit how you drive.
Oil-life monitors
Some manufacturers replace a fixed oil interval with an oil-life monitor. Ford’s Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor and GM’s Oil Life System calculate when oil is due from how the vehicle is driven. Ford’s guidance caps the interval at 12 months or 10,000 miles, and GM says to change oil at least once a year even if the monitor has not called for it. Reset the monitor after each oil change.
Inspect vs. replace
Schedules mix “inspect” (check and replace only if needed) and “replace” items. Inspections often cover brake pads, hoses, belts, suspension parts and fluid levels. Replacement items usually include oil and filter, air filters, and at longer intervals items like spark plugs and coolant.
Keep records
Keep receipts or a log of every service with the date and mileage. It helps with warranty claims and resale, and lets you see what is coming due. In AutoForge, add your car to the Garage and use the service log and reminders.