Enter maintenance assumptions
Use the fields below to model annual items, mileage-based replacements, time-based services, inflation, and one-time major maintenance.
Example data table
This example uses the default assumptions shown in the calculator. It demonstrates how periodic services and inflation can lift lifetime maintenance totals.
| Annual Miles | Years | Inflation | Tire Cost / Interval | Brake Cost / Interval | Cabin Filter | Brake Fluid | Coolant | Recurring Annual | Estimated Lifetime Cost | Estimated Cost per Mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15,000 | 8 | 3% | $900 / 40,000 miles | $450 / 80,000 miles | $60 every 2 years | $120 every 3 years | $220 every 5 years | $300 total per year | $7,079.16 | $0.0590 |
Formula used
Lifetime Miles = Annual Miles × Ownership Years
Inflated Cost in Year y = Base Cost × (1 + Inflation Rate)(y - 1)
Mileage-Based Events in Year y = floor(Current Miles ÷ Interval Miles) − floor(Previous Miles ÷ Interval Miles)
Time-Based Events in Year y = floor(Current Year ÷ Interval Years) − floor(Previous Year ÷ Interval Years)
Yearly Maintenance Cost = Tire Cost + Brake Cost + Cabin Filter Cost + Brake Fluid Cost + Coolant Cost + Recurring Annual Costs + One-Time Major Service
Lifetime Maintenance Cost = Sum of Yearly Maintenance Costs
Cost per Mile = Lifetime Maintenance Cost ÷ Lifetime Miles
How to use this calculator
- Enter your expected annual miles and ownership period.
- Add tire and brake costs with their mileage intervals.
- Enter time-based items like filters, brake fluid, and coolant service.
- Include recurring annual costs for wipers, alignment, inspections, software, and miscellaneous work.
- Add an inflation percentage if you expect service prices to rise.
- Use the optional one-time service fields for a major event, such as suspension work or a large inspection.
- Click the calculate button to see totals, yearly breakdowns, and the maintenance chart.
- Use the CSV and PDF buttons to save your results.
FAQs
1) What costs does this calculator include?
It includes tires, brakes, cabin filters, brake fluid, coolant service, recurring yearly items, inflation, and one optional major service event.
2) Does it include charging, insurance, or depreciation?
No. This tool focuses on maintenance only. Charging, insurance, registration, taxes, and depreciation should be modeled separately.
3) Why are brake costs sometimes low for EVs?
Many EVs use regenerative braking. That reduces friction brake wear, so service intervals may be longer than many gasoline vehicles.
4) Why add inflation to maintenance costs?
Inflation helps you estimate future service prices more realistically. Long ownership periods can make rising labor and parts costs meaningful.
5) How are mileage-based replacements calculated?
The calculator checks when cumulative miles cross each service interval. It then assigns the replacement cost to that ownership year.
6) Can I model premium tires or performance driving?
Yes. Increase tire cost, shorten tire interval, or raise alignment and miscellaneous costs to reflect aggressive driving or premium parts.
7) What should I place in miscellaneous annual cost?
Use it for small yearly items like washer fluid, detail inspections, tire rotations, minor hardware, or local service fees.
8) Is battery pack replacement included?
Not by default. You can model a reserve using the one-time major service field, but battery replacement assumptions vary widely.