Routine vehicle Maintenance Checklist

You treat your body well (kale salad! spin class!) in the hopes of warding off major health problems. But you may forget that your vehicle requires the same kind of attention. “Preventive maintenance keeps small issues from mushrooming into large—and expensive—ones, ” says Jason Kavanagh, an engineering editor at the automotive site Edmunds.com. Below, you’ll find a maintenance calendar for the auto parts that most frequently need replacing. (Note that the prices and the time frames shown can vary. For the estimated total cost with labor included, which can change depending on your car’s make and model as well as your location, go to napaautocare.com.) And remember to consult your owner’s manual, which should have specific guidelines for your vehicle.

Windshieldwiper Blades

When to change them: Every 6 to 12 months.

Cost: $10 to $20 per blade.

Battery

When to change it: Every 5 years.

Cost: $60 to $150.

Brake Pads

When to change them: Every 50, 000 miles (as long as you don’t ride your brakes).

Cost: $50 to $100 total.

Accessory Drive Belt

When to change it: Every 50, 000 miles.

Cost: $10 to $50 per belt.

Coolant Hoses

When to change them: Every 75, 000 miles.

Cost: $15 to $50 per hose.

Air Filter

When to change it: Every 30, 000 miles.