Most cars on Indian roads don’t fail because of age, they fail because owners neglect the basics. Heat, dust, adulterated fuel, rough roads, and long traffic jams punish engines and parts every single day. With the right care, a car can easily last 15-20 years, pass RTO fitness checks, and still run reliably for your family.
This list gives you 20 must-do maintenance habits, drawn from real workshop experience, to keep your car strong long after the 15-year mark.
1. Stick to Oil Change Discipline
Engine oil breaks down faster in India’s traffic and heat. Change it every 8-10k km or once a year, whichever comes first. Never delay. Always use the grade listed in the manual, not cheap substitutes. Dirty oil = early engine wear.
2. Protect Your Engine with Timely Filter Replacements
Air filters clog quickly in dusty cities. Change every 10k km. Fuel filters stop adulterated fuel from damaging injectors, never skip them. Cabin filter replacement before monsoon keeps AC clean. Filters are cheap insurance against costly repairs.
3. Keep the Car Cooling System Healthy
Overheating ruins engines. Check coolant every month. Flush and refill every 2-3 years. Never use tap water, it clogs and corrodes. Stick to proper coolant mix. Preventive care here saves you from cracked heads and seized engines.
4. Take Care of the Battery
Heat and short trips drain batteries faster in India. Clean terminals. Check water levels in non-sealed types. Replace every 3-5 years. If you park long-term, disconnect the terminals. Dead batteries always fail at the worst time, avoid that risk.
5. Look After the Tyres
Rotate tyres every 8-10k km. Align and balance regularly, especially after potholes. Replace tyres when tread hits the wear marker, not when they “still look okay.” Worn tyres = poor grip in rain and longer braking distance.
6. Pay Attention to the Brakes
Inspect pads every 10k km. Replace if worn. Change brake fluid every 2 years. Don’t ignore squeals, vibrations, or spongy pedal feel. Indian dust and monsoon water eat brakes faster. Safe brakes are non-negotiable.
7. Maintain Proper Suspension Health
Speed breakers, potholes, and rough village roads destroy suspension parts. Check shocks, bushes, and joints during annual service. Replace if worn. Always slow down before bad patches. Suspension neglect = uneven tyre wear and dangerous handling.
8. Watch the Belts and Hoses
Rubber parts crack quickly in Indian heat. Inspect belts and radiator hoses every 40k km. Replace at first sign of cracks, frays, or squeals. A ₹1,000 belt can save you from a ₹50,000 breakdown.
9. Don’t Neglect the Transmission
Manual: change gear oil as per schedule. Automatic, AMT, CVT: service transmission fluid on time. Skipping ATF changes = gearbox failure. Gearbox repair is one of the costliest jobs in India.
10. Keep the Car Rust-Free
Rust spreads fast in coastal and monsoon regions. Get underbody anti-rust coating if you live in Mumbai, Chennai, Goa, or Kochi. Wash wheel wells after monsoon drives. Check door edges and boot floor for early rust spots. Treat them before they spread.
11. Regular Cleaning and Detailing
Dust, pollution, and bird droppings damage paint and interiors. Wash often. Wax every 3 months. Clean seats and carpets to prevent mould during rains. Small effort here keeps your car looking new and slows ageing.
12. Respect Electricals and Wiring
Rats love warm engine bays. Use rat-repellent sprays or wire mesh covers if you park outside. Check fuses, bulbs, and switches regularly. A tiny short-circuit can disable your entire car.
13. Stick to Scheduled Inspections and Fitness Rules
After 15 years, your car needs an RTO fitness certificate. Regular maintenance makes passing simple. Keep service records. They help with resale and insurance claims too. Always trust a skilled workshop. Roadside shortcuts often create bigger problems.
14. Choose Fuel Stations Wisely
Bad fuel ruins engines. In India, adulterated petrol or diesel is common. Always fill up at a trusted pump. If you notice knocking or sudden mileage drop, suspect fuel first, not the engine. Stick to one reliable station for consistency.
15. Respect the Clutch (Manual Cars)
Riding the clutch burns it fast. Always press fully or release fully, never half-press. At traffic signals, go neutral, don’t keep your foot on the clutch. A careful driver can double clutch life. A careless one kills it in half the time.
16. Keep Exhaust and Emissions in Check
Older cars often fail pollution tests because exhaust systems are ignored. A clogged catalytic converter or faulty oxygen sensor cuts mileage and increases smoke. Get the exhaust inspected every 3 years. Don’t wait until the PUC fails.
17. Watch the Timing Belt and Drive Belts
If your car runs a timing belt (not chain), replace it every 60-80k km. A snapped belt destroys the engine. Check accessory belts for cracks too. A ₹2,000 belt can save you from a ₹60,000 rebuild.
18. Replace Wipers and Maintain Lights
Monsoon in India = zero visibility with bad wipers. Change them once a year, before rains. Keep headlights aligned properly. Don’t blind others with high beams. See and be seen, safety first.
19. Park and Store Smart
Parking under trees? Bird droppings eat paint. Open sun? Dashboard cracks faster. Use shades or covers. If car is parked for weeks, keep tyres inflated, battery disconnected, and fuel tank full to avoid rust inside.
20. Inspect the Underbody Regularly
Bad roads scrape the underbody more than you think. Look for leaks, rust, or loose plates every 6 months. Catching a small oil drip early can save thousands in repairs later.
20-Point Quick Car Maintenance/Longevity Checklist
| Tip No. | Maintenance Tip | Quick Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stick to Oil Change Discipline | Change every 8-10k km or yearly, use correct grade |
| 2 | Protect Your Engine with Timely Filter Replacements | Air filter 10k km, fuel and cabin filters on time |
| 3 | Keep the Cooling System Healthy | Check monthly, flush every 2-3 years, no tap water |
| 4 | Take Care of the Battery | Clean terminals, check levels, replace every 3-5 years |
| 5 | Look After the Tyres | Rotate 8-10k km, align/balance, replace at wear marker |
| 6 | Pay Attention to the Brakes | Inspect pads 10k km, replace fluid every 2 years |
| 7 | Maintain Proper Suspension Health | Check shocks, bushes yearly, slow before potholes |
| 8 | Watch the Belts and Hoses | Inspect at 40k km, replace at first cracks or squeals |
| 9 | Don’t Neglect the Transmission | Change fluid as per schedule, don’t skip ATF |
| 10 | Keep the Car Rust-Free | Underbody coat in coastal areas, treat rust early |
| 11 | Regular Cleaning and Detailing | Wash often, wax 3 months, clean interiors |
| 12 | Respect Electricals and Wiring | Use rat-repellent, check fuses/bulbs regularly |
| 13 | Stick to Scheduled Inspections and Fitness Rules | Keep records, service on time, avoid shortcuts |
| 14 | Choose Fuel Stations Wisely | Use trusted pumps, avoid adulterated fuel |
| 15 | Respect the Clutch (Manual Cars) | Don’t ride clutch, go neutral at signals |
| 16 | Keep Exhaust and Emissions in Check | Inspect exhaust every 3 years, check catalytic converter |
| 17 | Watch the Timing Belt and Drive Belts | Replace timing belt 60-80k km, inspect accessory belts |
| 18 | Replace Wipers and Maintain Lights | Change wipers yearly, align headlights properly |
| 19 | Park and Store Smart | Avoid bird droppings/sun, cover car, prep for storage |
| 20 | Inspect the Underbody Regularly | Check leaks, rust, loose plates every 6 months |
Cars don’t fail because of age alone, they fail when owners ignore the basics. Every component, from the smallest belt to the heaviest suspension arm, lasts longer when serviced on time. Preventive care always costs less than emergency repairs: replacing coolant for a thousand rupees prevents an engine overhaul worth fifty thousand, and changing brake pads on time prevents accidents that no money can undo.
If you want your car to remain dependable past the 15-year RTO mark, make maintenance a routine, not a reaction. Keep records of every service, use trusted workshops, and never cut corners with cheap parts or delayed jobs. Treat the car as an investment, not just a machine to get from A to B. A well-maintained vehicle rewards you with safety, savings, and peace of mind, and it can easily serve you and your family for two decades or more on Indian roads.
