# Maintenance by time on short drive car **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [November 12, 2024, 4:01am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/maintenance-by-time-on-short-drive-car/198002 "2024-11-12T04:01:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TheseusBoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@TheseusBoat](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TheseusBoat)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2024, 4:01am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/maintenance-by-time-on-short-drive-car/198002/1 "2024-11-12T04:01:57Z")
Let’s say you only drive 1,000 miles a year. You will need to do maintenance by time since it would tak 3-5 years to get to the next oil change by mile. Should I 1. Change oil at least once a year or twice a year since water builds up in the oil? 2. Change brake fluid every 2 years since water builds up in the brake fluid? 3. Change coolant every 5 year or so? What about items like spark plugs, air filters, and CVT fluid? For example, spark plugs are supposed to be replaced every 105K miles, but that would take 100 years of driving. I assume filters get dirty still and may be change every 2 years. What about CVT fluid? ---
**Author:** ![Clueless33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dbc845/32.png) [@Clueless33](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Clueless33)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2024, 4:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/maintenance-by-time-on-short-drive-car/198002/2 "2024-11-12T04:23:40Z")
My dad and I were having this exact conversation last night, and he wanted to convince me the Americans want me to spend unnecessary money on maintenance as a means to build wealth. He argued that my car does not need the oil changed every year but instead once every 2 years. It is only since moving to the United states he’s hearing that a vehicle needs to have its engine oil changed every 5000k miles and/or every 6 months. He just can’t accept this because none of his vehicles over the years ever had an engine problem, and the environment back on the island is rough on cars compared to here. I am more of an American person than an islander as I spend more time in this country than in my former. So I stick to an interval as followed: 1. Change oil and filter at 5000k mile or every 6 months. 2. Brake fluid every 30,000 miles or every 3-ish years. 3. Recently learned about transmission flush at 60,000 miles. 4. Spark plug between 60,000 to 100,000 miles. Whether the car is driven a lot or not. Filters I change when they are visibly dirty. This could be anywhere between 15 to 18 months. My dad, though, he swears I’m throwing away money. ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2024, 4:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/maintenance-by-time-on-short-drive-car/198002/3 "2024-11-12T04:36:03Z")
My warranty requires 1 oil change per year, 27k miles, only other suggestion was cabin air filter. 2017. Bought warranty at end of 3 year lease, $1400, covered till 2027 or 70k. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2024, 4:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/maintenance-by-time-on-short-drive-car/198002/4 "2024-11-12T04:36:58Z")
Change the oil once a year. Check the condition of the brake fluid using one of the methods seen here. [![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/c/8/c8ef82c4e195d56f3dbc20af3579374fff3c314c.jpeg "How to Test Brake Fluid") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iateFzOro0) Check the condition of the coolant using a multimeter. [![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/7/1/71e79b5efec175c16e2b92eccf94be1ee38ec2d9.jpeg "How to Test Coolant with a Multimeter") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8vvrmF68BY) With the amount you drive? I wouldn’t worry about spark plugs unless the Check Engine light turns on with a misfire code. Engine intake air/cabin filters are visually inspected. Change transmission fluid recommended in the owners manual under light duty service. Tester ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2024, 1:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/maintenance-by-time-on-short-drive-car/198002/5 "2024-11-12T13:21:45Z")
What make, model and year is your car? It might help to know the engine since some cars offer more than one option. Also, you may have the owner’s manual and maintenance manual. What do they say about this issue? ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2024, 2:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/maintenance-by-time-on-short-drive-car/198002/6 "2024-11-12T14:07:56Z")
> [@Clueless33](#): > > He argued that my car does not need the oil changed every year but instead once every 2 years. It is only since moving to the United states he’s hearing that a vehicle needs to have its engine oil changed every 5000k miles and/or every 6 months. You’re going to acquire a lot of wealth by only changing the oil every other year. ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2024, 7:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/maintenance-by-time-on-short-drive-car/198002/7 "2024-11-12T19:44:08Z")
> [@Clueless33](#): > > Americans want me to spend unnecessary money on maintenance Americans? Does your father know you drive Japanese cars? ---
**Author:** ![Clueless33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dbc845/32.png) [@Clueless33](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Clueless33)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2024, 8:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/maintenance-by-time-on-short-drive-car/198002/8 "2024-11-12T20:43:23Z")
> [@Purebred](#): > > Americans? Does your father know you drive Japanese cars? My papa might not agree with the Americans way of caring for their vehicles but he does take his hat off for how well organized and successful this country is. After all, Jamaica sucks. I’m Not sure if there is a correlation with what you said here and with papa’s statement. I mostly buy Japanese because everyone recommends them, including the American people. Hey, I might not born here but I’m American too 🇺🇸 ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2024, 9:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/maintenance-by-time-on-short-drive-car/198002/9 "2024-11-12T21:51:10Z")
I mostly concur w/@Tester 's advice above. I’d probably replace the coolant every 2 years.Or at least as frequently as the manufacturer recommends. The coolant experiences chemical reactions with the internal engine parts, and that happens all the time. New coolant contains chemicals that minimize this damage. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2024, 9:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/maintenance-by-time-on-short-drive-car/198002/10 "2024-11-12T21:53:22Z")
> [@George\_San\_Jose1](#): > > I’d probably replace the coolant every 2 years Every 2,000 miles?? Yikes! ---
**Author:** ![Beancounter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/59ef9b/32.png) [@Beancounter](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Beancounter)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2024, 10:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/maintenance-by-time-on-short-drive-car/198002/11 "2024-11-12T22:00:43Z")
Agree with most but completely disagree with the spark plug advice. With the advent of cleaner running engines the days of the annual / 12,000 mile plug change is long gone but by the time you reach 100,000 miles, tip corrosion and crub buildup is noticeable. Maybe more important, plug removable has become significantly more difficult. For maybe $10 a plug, the hassle and possible risk isn’t worth the savings. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2024, 10:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/maintenance-by-time-on-short-drive-car/198002/12 "2024-11-12T22:22:52Z")
> [@Beancounter](#): > > Agree with most but completely disagree with the spark plug advice. I didn’t offer advice about spark plugs. @clueless is the only responder with a spark plug recommendations and he wrote 60,000-100,000 miles, in line with what you wrote. My only advice was to read the owner’s manual and maintenance manual. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2024, 10:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/maintenance-by-time-on-short-drive-car/198002/13 "2024-11-12T22:33:25Z")
New platinum spark plug compared to a used platinum spark plug with 100,000 miles. ![20151010_141716_zpsqi1c5pkx](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/a/0/a00137ddd91d60d318a9a42518c78a7948891313.jpeg) At a 1,000 miles per year, it could take 100 years before the spark plugs would need changing. I wonder if the OP would be around? And the new HOAT coolants can now last 10 years/150,000 miles. Tester ---
**Author:** ![Clueless33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dbc845/32.png) [@Clueless33](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Clueless33)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2024, 11:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/maintenance-by-time-on-short-drive-car/198002/14 "2024-11-12T23:10:28Z")
I changed mine at 60,000 miles recommended by Lexus. Waiting too long to change spark plugs, as we know, can cause a misfire and you risk damaging your catalytic converter. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2024, 11:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/maintenance-by-time-on-short-drive-car/198002/15 "2024-11-12T23:20:24Z")
> [@texases](#): > > [change coolant] Every 2,000 miles?? Yikes! OP, what time limit does the manufacturer recommend for coolant r&r? ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2024, 11:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/maintenance-by-time-on-short-drive-car/198002/16 "2024-11-12T23:33:41Z")
> [@George\_San\_Jose1](#): > > OP, what time limit does the manufacturer recommend for coolant r&r? Obviously it is not every 2 years, you’re the only one that drives a 1973 Ford. Most modern vehicles have 10-year coolant, with subsequential changes every 5 years/50,000 miles. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2024, 11:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/maintenance-by-time-on-short-drive-car/198002/17 "2024-11-12T23:38:35Z")
> [@Nevada\_545](#): > > Most modern vehicles have 10-year coolant, If that’s the case for the OP’s car, then 10 years seems reasonable. If wanting to error on the side of caution, maybe 5 years. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2024, 5:21am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/maintenance-by-time-on-short-drive-car/198002/18 "2024-11-13T05:21:28Z")
> [@Purebred](#): > > > [@Clueless33](#): > > > > Americans want me to spend unnecessary money on maintenance > > Americans? Does your father know you drive Japanese cars? Are the people who insist that engine oil should be changed twice as often as the manufacture recommends also Japanese? Seems to be a conflict. ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2024, 1:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/maintenance-by-time-on-short-drive-car/198002/19 "2024-11-13T13:15:30Z")
No, I am referring to the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance/service intervals. Cluelesses’ father thinks Japanese cars sold in America have shorter maintenance intervals in order for the facilities to make more money. My suspicion is the maintenance intervals are the same for identical cars sold in Japan, or any other market. Likewise for severe service. Are not the engineers designing the engines and transmissions for Honda, Toyota, Nissan, in Japan, Japanese? Granted in the worldwide community I am sure there is much input /cooperation with and from engineers, designers, marketing, and bean counters from around the world. ---
**Author:** ![TwinTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@TwinTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TwinTurbo)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2024, 1:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/maintenance-by-time-on-short-drive-car/198002/20 "2024-11-13T13:58:54Z")
> [@MikeInNH](#): > > You’re going to acquire a lot of wealth by only changing the oil every other year. The way I read it, he is saying that the service facilities recommend more frequent changes in order for **them** to make more money. > [@Purebred](#): > > Cluelesses’ father thinks Japanese cars sold in America have shorter maintenance intervals in order for the facilities to make more money. Not that they **have** shorter maintenance intervals but that the service centers recommend it because Americans typically have more disposable income and may not even flinch if suggested to do it more often than specified by the manufacturer. Whereas in Jamaica, they have a more skeptical approach to such suggestions and perhaps have less means to do it in the first place. Which, by and large, I tend to agree with that premise. Fear based selling is an effective technique. Ask someone that profits from more frequent service, how often it needs to be done and I have a prediction for you- 🙂 Requoted for reference- > [@Clueless33](#): > > he wanted to convince me the Americans want me to spend unnecessary money on maintenance as a means to build wealth the Americans want me to spend unnecessary money on maintenance as a means to build **{their}** wealth Anyway, my take on the conversation and YMMV… [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/maintenance-by-time-on-short-drive-car/198002.md?page=2)