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Vehicle Maintenance Checklist

4.8/5 with 539 votes
Table of Contents

Introduction

Our Vehicle Maintenance Checklist is designed to help you stay on top of your automotive care. From preparation to essential tools and supplies, this checklist covers every aspect needed for a successful maintenance session. By using our Checklist App, you can easily save and customize tasks to fit your schedule. Sync across devices to ensure you're always updated, and collaborate with family or friends to share responsibilities. This way, you can keep your vehicle running smoothly and enjoy peace of mind on the road.
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Toggle Preparation status

Preparation

Toggle Time status

Time

Clear out enough time in your schedule to do this properly.
Toggle Tools status

Tools

Use the proper ones; using a butter knife as a screw driver doesn't always work.
Toggle Location status

Location

Find a safe place to do the maintenance, preferably not in the middle of the street.
Toggle Directions status

Directions

If you're doing some maintenance chore for the first time, read the directions carefully, or have someone do it with you.
Toggle Supplies status

Supplies

Ensure that you have all the correct supplies you need; oil, transmission fluid, etc. before you start.
Toggle Gear status

Gear

Toggle Shirt status

Shirt

Make sure that this is a long-sleeved shirt that you don't plan on using for anything but greasy things again.
Toggle Pants status

Pants

Long pants that you only plan to use for working on vehicles, because they're not going to be useful for much else.
Toggle Goggles status

Goggles

These will be quite useful when taking on nuts and bolts that are tight, having to do any welding, etc...but wear them all the time anyway.
Toggle Hat status

Hat

If not a hat, pull long hair back into a pony tail so that it does not get caught into engine parts while being worked on.
Toggle Shoes status

Shoes

Preferably heavy-duty shoes or boots, with steel toes in them, just in case the vehicle falls on your foot.
Toggle Towels status

Towels

A few of these on hand to wipe your hands on will help you grab hold of things much more easily.
Toggle Compressor status

Compressor

Use this only as necessary, to put air in tires, or test some lines.
Toggle Equipment status

Equipment

Toggle Wrenches status

Wrenches

Use correct sizes where appropriate, with the correct handling, so you don't hurt yourself or the engine.
Toggle Ratchets status

Ratchets

Using the correct ends, put them together, and use it correctly so nothing is stripped, and you don't get hurt.
Toggle Screwdrivers status

Screwdrivers

Whether Phillips or flat, pick the right size so the screwdriver doesn't break.
Toggle Gauges status

Gauges

Use a tire gauge for a tire, not to check something else in the vehicle.
Toggle Lifts status

Lifts

If the vehicle needs to go up in the air for some under-body work, then use a lift, not some metal boxes or something similar. That's just asking for trouble.
Toggle Chargers status

Chargers

If some tools are portable, and can be charged, keep them out of the way of water so you avoid electrocution.
Toggle Toolboxes status

Toolboxes

Take advantage of these to organize your tools well, and keep them out of the way, as they will be heavy.
Toggle Fluids status

Fluids

Keep these out of the way, up on a high shelf, so that no one wandering through will be able to just knock them over and cause a spill.
Toggle Things to Plan For status

Things to Plan For

Toggle Time status

Time

Vehicle maintenance always ends up taking longer than planned, so build in extra time to your schedule.
Toggle Food status

Food

Make sure that you keep up your energy while doing the vehicle maintenance, so you can think properly and stay safe.
Toggle Cost status

Cost

Know exactly what type of vehicle maintenance you are planning on doing, and the costs associated with it.
Toggle Hydration status

Hydration

Working on vehicle maintenance can get very hot, so make sure to take breaks for water, you'll be safer because you will feel better.
Toggle First Aid status

First Aid

Know exactly who to call, and what to do for quick First Aid procedures if it's needed for your or others' safety.
Toggle Problems status

Problems

No matter what, there will always be some sort of problem that comes up, even during routine vehicle maintenance, so be prepared for it.

Download or Print this Vehicle Maintenance Checklist

Get a printable version of this checklist in your preferred format: PDF, Word, Excel, or print directly from your browser.

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Presented by:

Taylor Peterson

Taylor Peterson
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Tags

PersonalAutomotiveMaintenanceSafety

Details

Vehicle maintenance is simple for some people to do, and for others, it is not.  While it is not hard, consider the fact that one must practice safety while maintaining a car.  Tools and engines and belts and such things can be intimidating for a novice, while others are well meaning but all thumbs and awkward with no ability to use the tools.  Thinking about safety will help, and maintenance will be much easier. Safety regarding vehicle maintenance begins with using the proper tools in the first place.  In other words, don't use a hammer to dislodge a nut that is wedged on too tight.  Using a well-placed ratchet to loosen it will do the trick.  Using a tire jack to lift the car up instead of a couple of metal crates is better, and far safer. Taking care of your vehicle by using this checklist is good for your own safety.  And, respecting other drivers by using the vehicle maintenance checklist for everyone's safety is a great thing.

Tips

Keep in mind that some vehicle maintenance in bad weather is possible, if it is done inside a garage, with the door sealed shut.  Of course, that means that the car can’t run, so that no carbon monoxide is put off to endanger the maintenance person. Ensuring that oil changes are done on a regular basis, and tires changed out should be just one part of the vehicle maintenance checklist.

Rotating out headlights and changing brakes are also important parts of safety so that other drivers don’t run into you.  Simple things like these pay off for the vehicle’s long term safety and usage, and keeps maintenance costs down.  As your skills and understanding of the vehicle maintenance checklist begin to increase, your level of safety will also.  Remembering to use the appropriate tools, will be a good start.

Who it's for

This Vehicle Maintenance Checklist is for anyone who wants a simple, practical way to get things done without missing steps.

  • Avoid forgetting - keep all your Vehicle Maintenance essentials in one place (external memory)
  • Save time - start from a proven Vehicle Maintenance structure instead of a blank page
  • Stay on track - track progress, come back later, and keep momentum
  • Coordinate with others - share the list and divide responsibilities
  • Learn the process - follow the steps in a sensible order, even if it's your first time

How to use it

How to use this Vehicle Maintenance Checklist

  • Save Vehicle Maintenance Checklist to your free Checklist account so your progress is saved and synced across devices.
  • Customize it in the app: remove anything that does not apply, then add your own details for Vehicle Maintenance (dates, sizes, addresses, notes).
  • If others are involved, invite them to collaborate and divide responsibilities.
  • Work through the list: check items off as you go, and set reminders for time-sensitive steps.

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Scores 4.80 with 539 votes

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