Regular maintenance is the single most important thing you can do for your car. Yet many drivers skip basic services until something breaks — and by then, the repair costs can be 10x what prevention would have cost.
Here are the top 5 maintenance habits that every car owner should follow.
1. Follow Your Oil Change Schedule
Oil is the lifeblood of your engine. Over time, it breaks down and loses its ability to lubricate and cool critical components. Most modern cars need an oil change every 10,000–15,000 km, but check your owner’s manual for the exact interval.
Pro tip: Cars Guru tracks your oil change history and sends you reminders when the next one is due — so you never have to guess.
2. Check Your Tyre Pressure Monthly
Under-inflated tyres increase fuel consumption by up to 3%, wear out faster, and reduce your car’s handling. Over-inflated tyres can cause uneven wear and a harsher ride.
Check your tyre pressure at least once a month. You’ll find the correct pressure on a sticker inside the driver’s door or in your owner’s manual.
3. Don’t Ignore Warning Lights
That check engine light isn’t just decoration. Modern cars have dozens of sensors monitoring everything from exhaust emissions to transmission temperature. When a warning light appears, it means something needs attention.
With Cars Guru’s OBD2 diagnostics feature, you can read the exact fault code behind the warning light and get an AI-powered explanation of what it means — no mechanic needed for the diagnosis.
4. Replace Your Air Filter Regularly
A clogged air filter forces your engine to work harder, reducing fuel economy and performance. Most air filters should be replaced every 20,000–30,000 km, but dusty environments may require more frequent changes.
This is one of the easiest and cheapest maintenance items — often just a few pounds for the part, and you can do it yourself in minutes.
5. Keep Track of Everything
The biggest maintenance mistake? Forgetting when you last had something serviced. Without records, you end up either paying for services too early or waiting too long.
Cars Guru solves this by giving you a complete maintenance timeline for every vehicle you own. Log 15 types of maintenance, attach receipt photos, track costs, and let the app remind you when the next service is due.
Start Tracking Your Maintenance Today
Download Cars Guru for free and take control of your car’s health. Track maintenance, monitor costs, set legal reminders, and never miss a service interval again.
Your car — and your wallet — will thank you.