It goes way beyond just an oil change and grease job. If you know what to look for, you can save a lot of grief. Check List Let's start with the basics . A check list is the way the Pros do it, and that is just what you should do. You don't have to be a mechanic to do simple repairs to your vehicle, but you do need a basic understanding of how things work and what they do on your vehicle so you can spot a problem before it causes a breakdown.
Common sense has a lot to do with preventative maintenance.
For example, if you see a spot of fluid on the driveway, you would find out where it was coming from and either repair the problem or take it to a mechanic for repairs before it is a real problem. There are other not so obvious things to look at on your vehicle that I will show you. As you go down your check list, mark down to the side of each step either a check to indicate no problem or make a note of any problems found. Start behind the steering wheel and check for any looseness in the steering system. Looseness in the steering is a gradual thing and you might not be aware of it.