I drive my Scion tC about 5 days a week for school, work, and what not but rack up only around 5k miles a year. I was wondering what peoples ideas/recommendations on the Toyota or Edmunds recommended maintenance schedule for someone who drives quite often, but only 1/3 the mileage of the average American driver. (drains, fills, replace, bleed, flush). Motor Oil/Oil Filter I've gone on the schedule of every 6 months regardless of mileage using OEM Toyota Oil Filter and Mobil 1 5w-30 Full Synthetic Oil.

-Manual Transmission Fluid
-Power Steering Fluid
-Brake Fluid
-Coolant
-Differential Fluid
-Spark Plugs
-Brake Pads (F/R)
-Anything else I might've missed

 

no ideas?

 

do you really need to change out the spark plugs at 5k miles?

 

I suppose nobody answered because nobody really knows. depends on wether you want to save money or be ultra-conservative with the maintainence. I'd probably go at least 3 years before doing the major service. Brake pads you simply have them inspected, no need to replace them until they are low.

 

I highly doubt you will need to change your spark plugs anytime soon, lets say about 50K or more.

I also doubt you would need to change any fluids (beside oil, or maybe transmission fluid). I think most fluids have suggested change periods but the only ones I have ever done on my cars are oil and transmission fluid (at 30K is resonable).

Brake pad wise just take off your wheel and look at the pads usually you want to get new ones when they're about a 3/4 used up.

the only other advice is to replace your air filter, and visually inspect fluid levels.

 

i didn't, that list was just some maitenance items that I was wondering when would be a good time to change. The only thing I currently do is the oil change every 6 months, rotate tires, and check my fluid levels. I'm going to change out my trans gear oil soon. Car currently is 2 years old and has 10,xxx miles.