Scheduled maintenance
Maintenance by mileage and time: fluids, filters and the inspections your owner’s manual lists for your car’s age and mileage.
What this covers
Every manufacturer publishes a maintenance schedule: what to replace or inspect, and at what mileage or time. Following it keeps the car reliable and gives you a record of care.
You do not have to use a dealer to keep your warranty. The Federal Trade Commission says it is illegal for a dealer to deny warranty coverage because routine maintenance was done somewhere else, and recommends keeping your service records and receipts.
How the problem is found
The schedule in your owner’s manual is the reference. Some cars track it for you: Honda’s Maintenance Minder, BMW and MINI Condition Based Service, and Mercedes-Benz Service A and Service B all show what is due on the dash.
If an inspection finds something outside the schedule, such as a leak or a worn suspension part, ask for it as a separate recommendation with the reason.
Makes this often comes up on
Questions
Will using TRUE Automotive instead of the dealer void my warranty?
No, not for routine maintenance. The Federal Trade Commission says you do not have to use the dealer for repairs or maintenance to keep your warranty in effect, and that it is illegal for a dealer to deny coverage because routine maintenance was done elsewhere. Keep your service records and receipts. Repairs that the warranty itself pays for may have to be done where the manufacturer chooses.
Scheduled maintenance by shop
No shop has confirmed individual services online yet. Everything listed here is on TRUE’s list for all 5 shops; call the shop to confirm before you go.