One of the most common questions we get asked is “Do I really need to service my car so often? Is it really such a big deal if I miss a service or delay it a couple of months?”. Yes!
We all skip our six-monthly trip to the dentist on occasion. The difference with our cars is that the engine oil inside is a key component of lubricating its insides. Not many people realise, but that engine oil has a use-by-date. After about 7,000km, or 12 months, engine oil will start to break down and deteriorate, becoming less and less effective. Parts in your car start to deteriorate and the inevitable result is unnecessary repairs, breakdowns and even a blown engine. And that’s just the engine oil, there are multiple other types of other fluids in your car that can cause significant deterioration to other components under the hood.
Servicing your car is the most important thing you can do for your car’s well being and yet, it’s also the most neglected. One of the main reasons for this is because most people aren’t really sure of what needs servicing and when.
So, how often should you service your car? We’re all told to refer to our car’s logbook for the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule. However, most people don’t even look at it… let alone understand it! While we are advocates for empowering yourself by reviewing your logbook and becoming familiar with your service requirements, I acknowledge that they can be confusing.
To simplify it right down to the “need to know”, we’ve put together an overview of what needs to be serviced and when that will suit most cars.
EVERY 10,000KM OR 6 MONTHS (whichever comes first)
– Engine oil – Oil Filter *Some new cars under warranty 15,000km/ 12 months
EVERY 40,000KM OR 2 YEARS
– A/C cabin filter – Air filter – Brake fluid – Brakes – Coolant flush – Diff oil – Spark plugs – Transmission service (manual) – Tyres & wheel alignment
EVERY 60,000-80,000KM OR 3-4 YEARS
– Battery – Fuel filter – Transmission service (auto)
EVERY 80,000-120,000KM OR 4-6 YEARS
– Clutch (manual) – Platinum spark plugs – Timing belt & water pump – Wiper rubbers
EVERY 120,000KM OR 6 YEARS
– Shock absorbers
If your mechanic tells you something different to the guide above, ask why. Ask them to refer to your logbook and ensure you haven’t had major parts replaced at the last service.
The other advantage to getting a regular service that is commonly overlooked is getting your car scanned by an automotive code reader. As a lot of you are aware modern cars in a sense are nothing short of a collection of computers which control many aspects of driving, and sometime there may be underlying issues which, when picked up early by a automotive diagnostic machine, will save so much trouble down the track!
An important, yet often overlooked consideration to how often should you service your car is your driving style. This affects how soon your engine oil degrades, the likely wear and tear on your brakes, timing belt and so on.
A driver who lives in a high-density area, drives a lot of short trips but also takes long drives to visit family and on weekends and never drives in extreme conditions can safely stick to their car’s recommended service schedule. As a result, the car would run like clockwork, only require minor repairs, and save hundreds of dollars a year on fuel.
By contrast, a driver who does a lot of short city trips and rarely drives on a highway, zips through traffic and often leaves heavy things like gym gear in the boot would need to service their car at least every six months or more frequently. If they don’t, they’ll find their car often makes strange noises, the vehicle will be more likely to break down and the result will be heavy expenses.
Servicing your car is a big deal and needs to be done regularly. If you don’t, your car is more likely to encounter problems that could have been caught early or avoided entirely. The result; you’re more likely to end up with a big bill down the track rather than saving money. So, keep your services up to date and, if in doubt, call your friendly local mechanics!