We've all heard about those pesky chores like getting the oil changed, and it's pretty obvious when you need new wipers, but many people don't know what they're supposed to do when their vehicles reach milestones such as 60,000, 50,000, or 100,000 miles. This lack of knowledge can mean financially devastating problems such as your car wearing out too quickly or even your car being junked. It could also puts you at risk of victimization by crooked mechanics, and car dealers.

We've organized a list to jump start your learning about these important car maintenance requirements:

• Visit the car wash regularly: Looking pretty is not the same as working properly, but keeping your auto free of dirt and grime top to bottom is an important upkeep. If you don't often go to the car wash, the residue will harm your paint and undercarriage.
• Compose a list: Forgetting about auto maintenance is easy to do, but a good method for getting it all done on time is to make a checklist of all the stuff your vehicle requires when you drive it home. Then, mark each item as your car is serviced at the various milestones. If handwritten lists aren't your thing, there are simple electronic tools that can help.
• Keep track: Have you ever worried because that reminder on your windshield fell off? A short log of all the work done can solve everything. You can use a book or app to track oil changes, and you can also track stuff like repairs and replacements with this easy system. Tracking fuel and dipstick checks can help you keep an eye on efficiency and performance and see problems ahead of time.
• Read your manual: Cars have a booklet just for their make and model, and these small books go over the official word on keeping your car in top shape. These recommendations can vary substantially, so they end up trusting what potentially confabulating dealers say about the maintenance their vehicle needs. We keep track of the correct specs for every vehicle we service at Christian Brothers Automotive in Corpus Christi, TX, but you can't rely on all mechanics. If you do, it could cost you thousands.