You love your van. It’s gotten you through the best of times and the worst of times, which means it has the mileage to show for it.
That’s okay, as long as you’re keeping up with your vehicle maintenance checklist to keep your van in tip-top shape. If you do, your van will run itself well into the 200,000s! And that’s every van owner’s dream, right?
Keep reading for the essential old car maintenance checklist to make sure you’re keeping your van on track for a long life.
Weekly
Let’s start with the small stuff. Every week, you should be dusting the inside of your car. Why?
Dust might not seem like a big deal, but it can dirty up your air filters in a hurry. That can reduce your mileage by as much as 10%. And although mileage isn’t necessarily the main goal of a 100k mile maintenance checklist, it’s certainly important for a frugal van owner, and contributes to the overall working health of the car.
Besides dusting, be sure to wash the outside of your car once a week to keep that paint job nice and fresh. It’ll save you money long-term on exterior maintenance.
Monthly
Although you don’t have to change your oil this frequently, it’s a good idea to check your oil levels once a month. You might need to add some to older vehicles more frequently to keep it running optimally.
Besides checking your oil level, you should also check your coolant and tire pressure once a month. Low coolant levels can lead to radiator failure. Keeping your tires plump will contribute to their longevity, meaning you won’t have to purchase new ones as frequently.
And let’s face it: those tires get some wear on them. Give them some attention!
Yearly
There are a number of big-ticket items you should be checking for every year, including brakes, clamps and hoses, and your car’s battery. Inspect them to be sure everything is in working order. Most vans won’t require much here– especially vans with a good reputation, like the VW Transporter Sportline.
Vans like the Transporter Sportline are big in countries like the UK. But why does UK like Transporter Sportline ? Easy: because their auto maintenance checklist tends to be shorter than other vans.
They hold fluids better, too. When it comes to fluids on a 100k mile maintenance checklist, check your transmission fluid, brake fluid, and coolant strength.
It’s also a good idea to flush your radiator out. You can do this with a simple hose. You’ll also need to rinse your A/C condenser.
Buff out your headlights once a year to ensure maximum visibility while driving at night. The elements can dull them faster than you’d think. Taking time to clean them will make a world of a difference.
Mileage Milestones
Besides your weekly, monthly, and yearly maintenance, there are also some important mileage milestones you’ll want to keep up on.
3,000 Miles
Every 3,000 miles you’ll need to get your oil changed. If three months have passed and you still haven’t hit 3,000 miles since your last oil change, go ahead and change that oil early. Replacing the oil filter is important, too.
Check your washer fluid and be sure to add fuel injector cleaner to your gas tank, too!
5,000 Miles
If you drive a stick-shift van, you’ll need to adjust the clutch every 5,000 miles. Some clutches self-adjust. Consult your owner’s manual to find out if this is a necessary step for you.
Automatic drivers, don’t worry about this one.
10,000 Miles
Every 10,000 miles you’ll need to rotate your tires. You probably won’t need to purchase new ones this frequently, but rotating them can extend their life.
Make sure to inspect your timing belt, too!
Your Vehicle Maintenance Checklist
How many miles does your van have on it now? Are you up on your vehicle maintenance checklist?
If not, find your repair manual and get reading. Your van needs you!
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