Review the vehicle’s owner’s manual. If you haven’t looked at it in a while, check it out to make sure routine maintenance is done in a timely manner. Manufacturers also offer maintenance information online. For example, at http://www.flmowner.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Owner/Page/MaintCalProcessPage, Ford, Lincoln or Mercury owners can plug in makes and models and receive maintenance information for their specific vehicles.

Check the spark plugs. Some will last for 100,000 miles, but others may need to be replaced more often, according to AAA. Many manufacturers suggest changing spark plugs at 30,000 miles. Consult your favorite trusted service technician.

Check the oil level. Recommendations vary widely, but the standard seems to be check once a week at the most and once a month at the least.

Change the oil. For years, the standard suggestion has been every 3,000 miles; however, many experts now suggest that petroleum-based oils need to be changed only every 4,000 to 5,000 miles and synthetic oils only every 6,000 to 7,500 miles. These recommendations can vary based on the make and model of vehicle as well as driving conditions (e.g., stop-and-go city driving with lots of idling, such as occurs when making deliveries, necessitates more frequent oil changes). Discuss oil-change frequency with a trusted service technician. Also make sure you use the correct weight of oil and that the oil is certified by the American Petroleum Institute (API).

Inspect belts and hoses every 3,000 to 5,000 miles or with every oil change. Generally, belts and hoses should be replaced between 60,000 and 100,000 miles.

Make sure the air pressure in tires is correct. Original tire sizes and tire inflation pressures (including the spare) are listed on a vehicle placard, which can be located
• on the driver-side door or doorjamb (Ford vehicles, on the rear passenger doorjamb)
• on the inside of the glove-box door
• on the inside of the fuel filler door
• in the engine compartment
     Additionally, this information usually can be found in the vehicle’s owner’s manual.
     Adhere to the tire inflation pressures recommended by the vehicle manufacturer, which often will be different than the inflation pressures molded into the tires’ sidewalls; these are the maximum inflation pressures for each tire.

Rotate your tires. Tires wear differently in each location on the vehicle, so for maximum tire life, it is generally recommended that you rotate tires every 6,000 miles.

Replace air filters at least annually or every 12,000 to 15,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Replace fuel filters between 24,000 and 100,000 miles. Check the recommended maintenance schedule in your vehicle’s owner’s manual, or check with your favorite service technician.

Replace antifreeze every 30,000 miles or according to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations. Have it checked prior to the beginning of every summer and winter driving season. Recommendations may change with the introduction of longer-lasting antifreezes.