Summary
A car is an endless investment, and proper upkeep is critical for safety and liability. This guide explains how a car maintenance checklist helps California drivers reduce accident risks, avoid preventable mechanical failures, and understand how poor maintenance can impact fault and personal injury claims after a crash.
Table of Contents
Having a car is an endless investment—but neglecting it can cost far more than repairs. Your car maintenance checklist is not just about performance; it’s about safety.
Studies have shown that vehicle defects contribute to a significant share of road crashes, with estimates ranging from single digits to nearly one in five accidents, and even higher in some countries. For every vehicle owner in California, overlooked maintenance issues can increase crash risks and complicate liability after an accident.
Understanding the key elements of proper maintenance helps reduce preventable dangers—so let’s break down what truly matters before something goes wrong.
10 Things That Should Be in Your Car Maintenance Checklist
Your car maintenance checklist will include these 10 essentials.
Oil
This is the fluid that keeps everything in your car running perfectly. To check the engine oil level in your vehicle, use the dipstick to see which mark the oil is at. Keep in mind that if the oil on the dipstick is black, your car needs an urgent oil change.
Generally, this fluid must be changed every 3,000 miles, so be sure to keep an eye on your car’s stats and your maintenance schedule. Neglected engine oil can cause overheating or sudden engine failure. In California, accidents linked to known maintenance issues may affect the liability of the vehicle owner or responsible party.
Tire Pressure
Checking this and ensuring proper tire pressure will save you from a lot of trouble. Improper tire pressure reduces traction and increases the risk of hydroplaning or blowouts, especially on wet California roads during winter storms or while driving on freeways.
Loss of control due to underinflated or overinflated tires may also affect fault determinations if poor maintenance contributed to a crash. You can purchase a tire pressure gauge to measure tire pressure yourself. Remember to check with the tire manufacturer for the correct pressure and any outside temperatures that might affect performance.
Brakes
Have a professional check your brakes, brake pedal, brake linings, and brake fluid periodically to prevent an accident. Even if you’re only driving around the area or to and from work, regular brake maintenance is one of the best ways to keep yourself and others safe while on the road.
If the brake light comes on in your dashboard, you should take the vehicle to a professional immediately. Brake failure is a common factor in intersection and rear-end collisions. In California, delayed braking caused by worn pads or fluid loss can significantly affect fault determinations.
Power Steering Fluid
Power steering fluid is critical to safe vehicle control, especially during turns and sudden maneuvers. Most manufacturers recommend replacing this fluid every 62,000 miles, but earlier service may be necessary if warning signs appear.
Common indicators include:
- Darkened or discolored fluid
- A burning smell
- Increased resistance when turning the steering wheel
- Unusual noises while steering
- Low fluid levels or sudden fluid loss
When power steering fluid is neglected, steering can become stiff or unpredictable, increasing the risk of lane drift or loss of control—particularly at higher speeds or in larger vehicles like SUVs, where rollover risk may be elevated. In accident claims, steering-related maintenance failures should be considered when evaluating whether vehicle condition contributed to a crash.
Antifreeze
Low antifreeze or degraded fluid can cause engine overheating or seizure, risking breakdowns or shutdowns on busy California highways. Unexpected engine failure or rapid deceleration may lead to rear-end collisions, and maintenance-related overheating can be reviewed as a contributing factor in accident investigations.
Here are some items to include in your maintenance schedule:
- Those that contain glycol should be changed every 24,000 miles or every two years
- Organic antifreeze should be changed every 50,000 miles or five years
If the antifreeze light comes on in your dashboard, it means your engine is overheating, and your coolant level is very low. You’ll have to open the hood and leave it as is until the engine has cooled down. Do not try to touch the radiator because you could burn yourself.
Tire Tread and Alignment
Tire tread and alignment work together to keep your vehicle stable and responsive on the road. Proper tread provides traction on asphalt, especially in rain or on slippery conditions, while proper alignment ensures your car travels straight and responds accurately to steering input.
Signs of trouble include:
- Uneven or irregular tire wear
- Bald spots on the tire surface
- Strange lumps or bulges on the tires
- The vehicle pulls to the left or right while driving
When tread is worn, or alignment is off, drivers may experience reduced grip, delayed steering response, or loss of control—risks that are heightened on California highways during sudden stops or wet conditions. In accident claims, poor tire maintenance or misalignment may be reviewed if these issues affected safe vehicle control or contributed to a crash.
Air Filter
An air filter is a porous material that blocks dust and debris from entering the engine, ensuring proper airflow for fuel combustion. For every liter of fuel burned, a vehicle requires thousands of liters of air, which is why filters should be replaced about every 9,000 miles or once a year.
When a filter is clogged, drivers may notice reduced power or dark exhaust, increasing the risk of hesitation or sudden slowing in traffic. In California, crashes involving engine performance issues tied to poor maintenance may be reviewed when assessing whether vehicle condition contributed to the accident.
Transmission Fluid
To avoid an expensive repair, you should frequently check the levels of this fluid. Most car models allow you to check it with a transmission dipstick while the engine is running. When you do it, check the fluid’s color. If it is black, you will have to wash the transmission and change the fluid.
Although every make and model is different, transmission fluid should usually be changed every 37,000 miles or every 2 years.
If you are going to change the fluid yourself, remember to check what type of transmission your car has. Since not all vehicles use the same transmission fluid, you will need a fluid with special characteristics suited for your car.
The most common fluids are:
- DCTF: Double Clutch Transmission Fluid
- ATF: Automatic Transmission Fluid
- CVTF: Continuously Variable Transmission Fluid
Neglected transmission fluid can cause delayed gear response or sudden loss of power, increasing the risk of abrupt slowing or stalling in traffic. In crashes involving sudden deceleration or mechanical failure, transmission maintenance history may be reviewed to determine whether the vehicle contributed to the accident.
Lights
It is dangerous when your car’s lights are not working properly. Also, this could lead to a fine if you’re at fault in an accident. Remember that the lights (like tail lights) help keep you safe on the road and allow you to communicate with other drivers.
Malfunctioning headlights or taillights significantly increase the risk of nighttime accidents, especially on poorly lit California roads. In rear-end collisions, poor visibility caused by broken or dim lights may constitute negligence for visibility and affect liability determinations.
Shock Absorbers
Shock absorbers control impact and bounce when your car goes through a pothole, making them an essential part of the steering system. Check shock absorbers every 50,000 miles or when you notice decreased smoothness or a loss of control.
Worn shock absorbers reduce tire contact, increasing stopping distance and the risk of losing control during sudden braking or turns. Suspension failures may be considered if they contributed to the crash.
Don’t Skip a Scheduled Basic Car Maintenance Service Appointment
Following the maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual helps ensure your vehicle remains safe and reliable. Routine service appointments are also an opportunity to catch issues early—before they lead to accidents or costly breakdowns.
During regular checkups, make sure the following are addressed:
- Tire rotation and wheel alignment to maintain safe handling
- Inspection of belts, spark plugs, wiper blades, and engine components
- A thorough visual inspection to support optimal performance and identify early warning signs
Ignoring routine maintenance can lead to warning signs such as a lack of power or annoying screeching noises, which may signal serious mechanical problems. Maintenance records and service logs can play a critical role after a crash, particularly when a vehicle’s condition is questioned in a personal injury claim.
For company or work-related vehicles, these records may help vehicle accident attorneys determine whether poor maintenance contributed to the collision.
Why You Need an Expert Car Accident Lawyer On Speed Dial
Keeping up with regular car maintenance not only helps save on repair costs but also ensures your vehicle functions properly. More importantly, a car maintenance checklist will minimize the possibility of an accident.
If, despite annual car maintenance, you or a loved one still gets involved in a car accident through someone else’s fault, remember that Farahi Law Firm is here to help. We have expert vehicle accident attorneys who are experienced in vehicle-related concerns and are passionate about getting you the compensation you are entitled to.
Call us at (844) 824-2955 for a free evaluation of your case.
FAQs
Yes. Worn brake pads can increase stopping distance and reduce braking response, especially in sudden traffic situations. This can raise the risk of collisions and other untoward accidents, particularly in busy California road conditions.
If your check engine light comes on, do not ignore it—especially if you notice sudden engine noise, vibration, or loss of power. Have the vehicle inspected as soon as possible to avoid safety risks.
In some cases, yes. If a vehicle’s condition contributed to a crash, maintenance history may be reviewed to understand what happened.
