Preventive maintenance is designed to minimize the risk of breakdowns and increase vehicle uptime. Some common examples of preventive maintenance include oil changes, checking spark plugs, examining hoses and filters, as well as careful inspection of a vehicle’s chassis, brakes and overall engine health.

To maximize the life and performance of your vehicle, here is a list of items you should check depending on the time and season. Some of these parts of your vehicle should be checked regularly, and others only in the long run. Be sure to follow your vehicle’s maintenance schedule and service interval record.

Caring for your car and keeping it in proper running order takes a little bit of effort, but you definitely don’t have to be a mechanical whiz to keep your vehicle running well. The biggest hurdle is being aware of what needs to be done—and how often—for optimal vehicle upkeep. By knowing the basics about what your car needs, and when you should perform routine car maintenance, you’ll ensure that your car is in top-running condition.