Should I be taking my car for checkups/tune ups?

[RusticBohemian]

I have a 2005 Scion XA I picked up two and a half years ago for $3,600. It's a nice little car that meets my needs. I drive it a few times a week, and the only maintenance I've done on it is to change the oil.

The other day I heard the slightest noise that I might have been my imagination, or it could have been a created by the cold weather.

But it got me thinking that maybe I should be taking the car for a checkup. Is this advisable when there is nothing overtly wrong with the car?

I also might need to get the tires rotated at some point.

Thoughts?

[bacchi]

Use you car's maintenance schedule. You should be changing spark plugs, air filters, fuel filters, brake fluid, coolant, etc. as suggested by mileage and time.

Those can all be done by yourself. Most of them don't require any special tools.

[Wrenchturner]

Join/read a forum that has a section for your car specifically.  Like toyota nation or something.  They will cover frequent issues, good choices for maintenance products/fluids/plugs etc.  What type of maintenance you should spend money on and what is optional, etc.  A fair bit of this is model-specific.

Try to figure out the circumstances for the noise.  Does it occur when the wheel is turned a certain way?  Is it speed specific or rpm specific?  Does it occur only when hot/cold, etc.  Control for variables.

[Monkey Uncle]

Follow the maintenance schedule in the owner's manual. 

Tires generally should be rotated every 5,000 miles so they'll wear evenly.  Tires need to be replaced when they are around 7 years old, whether they are worn out or not (take it from the guy who once had two dry-rotted tires go flat at the same time).

Batteries often die when they are around 6-7 years old (sooner if it's a cheapo replacement battery).  Most auto parts stores will check them for free.

[Panly]

It's useful to have the various engine belts checked and replaced on time.

If a timing belt gives up, you might need another vehicle.

[JLee]

It's useful to have the various engine belts checked and replaced on time.

If a timing belt gives up, you might need another vehicle.

The 2005 Scion xA has a timing chain, not a belt - no replacement is needed.

[Dave1442397]

It's useful to have the various engine belts checked and replaced on time.

If a timing belt gives up, you might need another vehicle.

The 2005 Scion xA has a timing chain, not a belt - no replacement is needed.

Yes, you're lucky that you don't have a timing belt - it could easily have snapped due to age.

You do have a serpentine belt, though, and that probably needs to be replaced at this point. Better to do it before it breaks.

[JLee]

How many miles do you drive? No tire rotations in 2.5 years is not great -- your tires may not be wearing properly.

[Monkey Uncle]

Also, does your state require an annual safety inspection?  If so, you may have had the brakes checked as part of that inspection.  If not, you might want to get the brake pads checked to see how much wear they have left.

[Fishindude]

Change the oil & filter every 3 - 5,000 miles.   Rotate the tires and replace air filter, inspect brakes every other oil change.   
Other than that, I don't do much.   Modern cars are remarkably reliable.

Note - My shop mechanic does not recommend changing transmission fluid and filter or doing the transmission cleanse at 75,000 miles like some manufacturers suggest.   He says' that often breaks loose a bunch of little particles of gunk that cause more problems.   Leave it alone if it's not causing problems.

[scottish]

Are you in the rust belt?   If so there's substantial risk (on a 15 year old vehicle) that brake lines and fuel lines may be badly corroded...

[RusticBohemian]

Thanks. Will do.

It's useful to have the various engine belts checked and replaced on time.

If a timing belt gives up, you might need another vehicle.

The 2005 Scion xA has a timing chain, not a belt - no replacement is needed.

Yes, you're lucky that you don't have a timing belt - it could easily have snapped due to age.

You do have a serpentine belt, though, and that probably needs to be replaced at this point. Better to do it before it breaks.