KEEP ON ROLLING

Sometimes it seems so unnecessary; does that air filter really need to be changed? And the radiator flushed?

Well, yes, local mechanics say. Especially if you want to keep your car running at optimum performance, extend its life and save money. The best way to do that, they say, is to stay ahead of car problems, especially in the desert.

Maintenance schedules vary depending on the make and model of the car, but if you follow the maintenance schedule listed in the owner’s manual, you’ll rarely be taken by surprise by a broken belt or dead battery.

Following are some general guidelines offered by local mechanics:

BATTERY

Batteries die in the desert. You’ll need to replace one every two to three years, says Jeff Korhonen, a mechanic at Precision Performance, 3375 Pinks Place. Depending on the car, you’ll pay from $49 to $120. Get it checked every 3,000 miles, especially if it’s a serviceable battery.

OIL CHANGE

Change the oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, depending on your owner’s manual. Prices start at about $20 and are as much as $120 for cars with diesel engines. But don’t pay more than $35 if you have a gasoline-powered car, says Christi Barbour, the service manager for James West Automotive, 3013 N. Rancho Drive. "That would be just crazy," she says.

BRAKES

Brakes are a little trickier to predict because it depends on how you drive, mechanics say. Stop and go, waiting until the last minute to put on the brakes are good ways to wear them out faster. You might need to change brake pads every 12,000 miles or 40,000 miles. Expect to pay about $190 to turn the rotors and replace the pads, says mechanic Joel Liebeskind of Art’s Auto Service, 7786 W. Sahara Ave.

TIRES

Air pressure is key to getting the most miles out of your tires. Underinflated and you’ll use more gasoline. Overinflated can cause excessive wear, notes Mike Stafford, owner of Expressway Auto Repair, 6037 Boulder Highway. Rotate the tires every 10,000 to 15,000 miles and expect to pay from $20 to $36.

FILTERS

Air, cabin and fuel filters need monitoring. Check the fuel and air filters once a year or every 12,000 miles, says Christi Barbour of James West Automotive. They cost about $25 to $40, each. A cabin filter should be checked with every oil change and replaced twice a year. Those run from $50 to $100.

BELTS

Most cars have only one belt now: the serpentine engine belt. It should be checked every six months and replaced when it shows wear, Mike Stafford of Expressway Auto Repair recommends. They’re about $100. Some cars still have the power steering, air conditioning and alternator belts and those should be replaced when they show signs of wear, too. They’re about $30 each.

WINDSHIELD WIPERS

Anything rubber dies an early death in the Las Vegas desert, mechanics say, and windshield wipers are the biggest victims. It seems like they need to be replaced every 20 minutes, Jeff Korhonen of Precision Performance says joking. They’ll need to be replaced every three months or so, especially if there’s a long dry spell. The cost is about $20.

FLUIDS

Brake, transmission, coolant and windshield wiper fluids should be checked with every oil change. Find a mechanic who does that and tops them off for free, Mike Stafford says. The transmission fluid should be changed once a year, and costs about $90. The radiator should be flushed annually, too, at a cost of about $40.