Expert advice on car maintenance

As a general rule of thumb, many sources quote three to five years as an average, though some car batteries have been known to last 10 years.

In the past, the factory-recommended interval for changing the automatic transmission fluid was typically between 30,000 and 100,000 miles, but some newer vehicles have what’s referred to as “lifetime fluid.”

Your car’s water pump circulates coolant throughout the engine, where it soaks up heat, and into the radiator, where the coolant is cooled and then recirculated back to the engine to start the process over again.

A dirty air filter won’t allow your engine to “breathe” as freely as it should, reducing the performance of your car.

While changing your oil every 3,000 miles was standard practice many years ago, modern lubricants and advances in engine materials and tolerances have largely made that frequency unnecessary.

Even though a wheel alignment isn’t a normal maintenance item, and there isn’t a set mileage or time interval for having it done, you should recognize the indications for when it might be needed for your vehicle.

For some vehicles, you're advised to change the coolant every 30,000 miles. For others, changing the coolant isn't even on the maintenance schedule.

Because there are several possibilities, and because brakes are a crucial safety feature, it is best to have a pro diagnose noise.

It's important to take care of your car before you put it into storage. Here are a few tips to make sure your car is ready to go when you are.