A Simple Car Maintenance Schedule for Jamaican Drivers

Your owner's manual has the official maintenance schedule for your vehicle, and it should always come first. But many manuals include two schedules: normal and severe. Most Jamaican driving, with heat, heavy traffic, short trips, hills and dusty roads, fits the severe schedule.

Here's a general guide to help you plan.

Every 5,000 to 10,000 km (or as your manual states)

• Engine oil and oil filter change

• Check all fluid levels

• Check tyre pressure and tread

• Inspect brakes

• Check lights, wipers and horn

• Look for leaks

Older engines, conventional oil and heavy use usually call for the shorter end of the range. Many modern synthetic oils allow longer intervals, but severe driving shortens them.

Every 15,000 to 20,000 km

• Rotate tyres

• Replace or clean the engine air filter (sooner on dusty roads)

• Replace the cabin air filter

• Inspect suspension and steering parts

• Test the battery

Every 30,000 to 40,000 km

• Inspect drive belts and hoses

• Check brake pads and rotors closely

• Consider a fuel system cleaning

• Check wheel alignment

Every 2 to 3 years

• Replace brake fluid

• Check coolant condition and replace as recommended

Every 40,000 to 100,000 km (varies widely)

• Spark plugs (depending on type: copper plugs need changing sooner than iridium)

• Transmission fluid service

• Coolant replacement for long-life coolants

Every 100,000 to 160,000 km (varies)

• Timing belt and related parts, if your engine has a belt

• Water pump (often with the timing belt)

Keep records

Write down the date and mileage of each service. It helps you stay on schedule, helps your mechanic and adds value when you sell the car.

Need help with this? RCJ Mobile Mechanics comes to you in Portmore, Spanish Town, Kingston, St. Andrew and across St. Catherine. Call or WhatsApp (658) 207-6565 or book a mechanic online.