As a car owner, you know how valuable your vehicle is. And to keep your car in top-notch condition and prevent costly repairs, it is crucial to keep up with the car maintenance checklist in Canada.

Regular car maintenance Checklist in Canada will not only minimise the chance of roadside emergencies but will also boost your vehicle’s resale value and save you on frequent car maintenance costs. If you have just purchased a vehicle, here is a beginner’s guide for it. Follow it to stay on the safe side.

Car Maintenance Checklist in Canada

A car has several components that need regular maintenance and timely replacement. While some components need to be checked every month, others require yearly attention. 

Here is a quick car maintenance checklist for every car owner out there:

  • Monthly Car Maintenance Checklist

This car’s monthly checklist must be followed once every month to ensure the proper functioning of your vehicle.

    • Inspect tyres
    • Check the oil and coolant levels
    • Test lights
    • Inspect the windshield and washer fluid levels

Inspect Tyres

Inspect Tyres of car maintenance Checklist in Canada
Credits : auto butler

Driving with overly worn or improperly inflated tyres can cause handling problems and lead to difficulty turning and maintaining control. Hence, it is essential to ensure the tyres are in good shape. Check the pressure of the tyres monthly and also before embarking on long trips or loading the vehicle with heavy cargo.

Check your car’s manual to know how much pressure your car’s tyres need. A tyre gauge available at a local auto repair shop or store will tell the pressure of the tyres in PSI (pounds per square inch) in no time. While testing the tyre pressure, check the tyre tread depth too.

Check The Oil And Coolant Levels

Check The Oil for car maintenance Checklist in Canada
Credits : RAC

Checking and changing the oil and coolant levels is a critical component of the car maintenance monthly checklist. Generally, the car’s oil should be changed after travelling 3,000–5,000 miles. Also, you should check the oil levels between changes. 

To check the coolant levels, have a look at the coolant reservoir and ensure it is up to the “full” line. If not, add a 50/50 coolant-water mixture until the line is back to the top.

Test lights

Test lights for car maintenance Checklist in Canada
Credits : Hella

Better headlights increase the visibility down the lane and offer a safer experience while driving especially at night. So, one of the key tasks in your car maintenance monthly checklist should be inspecting your vehicle to ensure the headlights and taillights are working. See through their lenses to ensure they are clean and not covered with haze. If the headlights are dim, they need a replacement. In such a case, opt for a high-performance pair of headlights. 

Inspect The Windshield And Washer Fluid Levels

Inspect The Windshield for car maintenance Checklist in Canada
Credits : Autoglass

Heading out on a road trip during the winter? Check the condition of your vehicle’s wiper blades and washer fluid. Look for cracks, splits, etc. on the windshield. It is advisable to clean the windshield regularly and get it cleaned periodically. Also, check the windshield washer fluid levels and top them up as required to prevent getting stuck on the highway. 

  • Quarterly Car Maintenance Checklist 

Inspecting your vehicle quarterly by yourself or through a service technician will ensure smooth working all year round and prevent unwanted damage.

    • Change oil and oil filter 
    • Check the car battery 
    • Inspect belts and hoses

Change Oil And Oil Filter 

Change Oil And Oil Filter 
Credits : midway Orwell Chevy

Every 3–4 months, you need to change the engine oil and oil filter to ensure the smooth operation of the car’s engine. If you have travelled over 5,000 miles, make sure you change the oil without further delay. Also, replace the oil filter to safeguard the engine from dirt and buildup that can clog and eventually damage the engine.

Check The Car Battery 

Check The Car Battery 
Credits : action 4 energy

While doing quarterly maintenance checks, inspect the car’s battery and the cables. Check the acid level and see if the cables are connected properly. Conduct a battery load test. Note that a fully charged battery should measure about 12.6 volts or above. Most importantly, check the positive and negative terminals for corrosion. 

Inspect Belts And Hoses

Inspect Belts And Hoses
Credits : Roadrunner Performance

A belt or hose failure can lead to an overheated engine and loss of the electrical charging system. So, inspect belts and accessory hoses from time to time, usually after 3-4 months. Check for holes, cracks, splits, or fraying. Any belt that shows signs of excessive wear needs immediate replacement.

  • Yearly Car Maintenance Checklist 

This yearly car maintenance checklist paired with monthly and quarterly check ups will help your vehicle run smoothly, effectively, and safely for longer.

    • Replace Air Filters
    • Check the spark plugs
    • Rotate the tyres
    • Check brakes and wheel bearing
    • Lubricate doors and hinges
    • Inspect brake fluid level
    • Inspect steering and suspension

Replace Air filters

Replace Air filters
Credits : Abe Midas

Changing the car’s engine and cabin air filter is a mandatory part of the yearly car maintenance checklist. If you don’t change the filters, they tend to become clogged with dirt and debris easily.

This will eventually impact the efficiency of the filter and the car’s HVAC system. So, once a year, inspect the air filters. Simply take them out and inspect them under a light source. If you cannot see the light coming through the filter, it probably needs a replacement. The new ones will help your car run smoothly, prolong its life, and boost the gas mileage.

Check The Spark Plugs

Check The Spark Plugs
Credits : Mechanic base

Another aspect of the car maintenance yearly checklist is replacing the plugs as part of preventative maintenance based on the manufacturer’s specifications. If your vehicle is hard to start, the engine is noisy, or your car struggles to accelerate, you need to replace the spark plugs.

Choose a suitable spark plug for your vehicle. Maintain the new spark plugs by cleaning them regularly. Remove the plug from its terminal with a socket wrench and then soak the plug in an isopropyl alcohol solution or petrol. Once the electrodes loosen up, brush the plug to remove the deposits using sandpaper.

Rotate the Tyres

Rotate the Tyres
Credits : Tiny Zola

By rotating the tyres, you ensure they wear out evenly and get an extended life. This can eventually save you loads of money in the long run. Have your tyres rotated for every 3000-5000 miles, or once a year.

Check Brakes And Wheel Bearings

Check Brakes for car maintenance checklist in Canada
Credits : Resource -Center .Meineke

Checking brakes and wheel bearing should be one of the priorities in the car maintenance yearly checklist. Take time to test your car’s brakes and wheel bearings. But how to know whether it’s a bad bearing or poor brakes?

Well, the brakes will show problems only when braking, which will usually be in the form of grinding noise. If the noise shows up after about 30 mph, or whenever you turn left or right, it’s probably because of the bad wheel bearing. 

Lubricate Doors And Hinges

Lubricate Doors car maintenance checklist in Canada
Credits : car roar

Lubricate doors and hinges once a year to ensure they move smoothly, Applying lube makes the squeaking go away, and the car doors will work without those annoying groans. To lubricate, wipe the hinge area with a clean cloth and ordinary motor oil. Move the hinge to work the grease into the hinge and then wipe away the excess.

Inspect Brake Fluid Level

To check your car’s brake fluid level:

    • Unscrew the cap of the reservoir located near the master cylinder on the top of the engine.
    • Check and see if the brake fluid level is within half an inch from the top. If not, add the proper brake fluid for your vehicle.
    • Check the colour of your brake fluid and get it replaced if it’s dark in colour.

Inspect Steering And Suspension

Inspect Steering for car maintenance checklist in Canada
Credits : mobile mechanic Wichita

Normal driving and conditions can lead to wear and tear of the suspension and steering systems. That means the components that make up these systems such as shocks, coil springs, struts, ball joints, etc. weaken or damage over time. This eventually impacts driving performance and safety. Hence, it is crucial to inspect the steering and suspension systems once a year.

More Points to Remember About Seasonal Checkup

    • Check washer fluid levels
    • Swap the tires
    • Replace wiper blades

Bottom Line 

If you want to keep your car in top-notch condition and reduce overall car maintenance costs, you need to prevent every risk or damage. Conducting proper maintenance on your vehicle will help sustain it for a very long time and potentially save you a lot of your hard-earned money down the road.

Follow these car maintenance checklist in Canada monthly, quarterly, and yearly checklists to keep the vehicle performing at its optimal levels. Make sure to go through your car’s user manual from time to time to evade several minor and major car problems. If you have misplaced the hard copy, you can find it online at the manufacturer’s website. 

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Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)

How much does car maintenance cost in Canada?

Car maintenance checklist in Canada may cost approximately $1500 on an annual basis and breaking it down for monthly costs, the car maintenance cost may fall between the range of $100 to $125 for a month.

What is included in a car service in Canada?

A complete car maintenance yearly checklist contains the following package: An oil replacement. A brakes testing. Horn & lights testing An oil filter replacement Fluid levels testing and leaks testing.

How frequent do I change car tires in Canada?

Usually, the car maintenance monthly checklist should be assured with the air pressure testing and an inspection on tires. Cautiously, it is advisable to all the car owners to change the tires in a gap of 6 years for a better driving experience.

How do I know if my car needs high Octane fuel?

The octane rating is given by the manufacturer of the car that an owner can consider while judging whether they should require a higher octane fuel or not. Though, a gasoline transport are capable enough with 87 octane running efficiency but few vehicles may use higher octane fuel as well.

What do Extended car warranties cover?

An extended car warranties gives a protection shield against unexpected car maintenance, expenses, and also offer repairing cost for a fixed tenure and distances covered by the car.

What are the basic maintenance tasks for a car?

The most important car maintenance tasks for the vehicle include inspecting oil and coolant levels, tyres, air filters, headlights, transmission fluid, and battery. You also need to replace parts like old spark plugs, worn-out brake pads, etc., to keep your vehicle in top-notch condition.

How often do cars need maintenance?

For most models, regular maintenance starts at 5,000 miles and then continues from there for about every 30,000 miles.

How often should I change my car's oil?

The rule of thumb is to change your vehicle's oil after at least 5,000 miles. However, some cars will require oil changes after 7,500 to 10,000 miles.