The engine oil inside your car is a key component of lubricating its insides. 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 at doing the job it needs to do.

• If it is not changed regularly, parts in your car start to deteriorate and the inevitable result is unnecessary repairs, breakdowns and even a blown engine.
• If your coolant hasn’t been replaced and you go to the snow or other very cold conditions, your engine will freeze over.
• If your brake fluid hasn’t been replaced on time you’ll eventually get water contamination that will rust your internal braking system.

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!

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

A typical service should cost anywhere between $180-$220. However there are also the ‘big-ticket’ service items. They’re the major services that hit you around the 80,000 – 120,000km mark (or four to six years). The table below gives you a guide of what to replace and when. If your mechanic tells you something different, ask why. Ask them to refer to your logbook and ensure you haven’t had major parts replaced at the last service.

PART	WHEN TO REPLACE IT (WHICHEVER COMES FIRST)	$: < $150 $$: $151-600 $$$: > $601
Air-conditioning cabin filter	40,000km/ 2 years	$
Air filter	40,000km/ 2 years	$
Battery	60,000 – 80,000km/ 3-4 years (engine mounted battery) 120,000 – 160,000km/ 6-8 years (boot mounted battery)	$$
Brakes (front)	40,000km/ 2 years	$$
Brakes (rear)	60,000km/ 3 years	$$
Clutch (manual transmission)	80,000km – 120,000km/ 4-6 years	$$$
Coolant flush	40,000km/ 2 years	$$
Differential oil	40,000km/ 2 years	$$
Fuel filter	60,000km/ 3 years	$$
Shock absorbers (or struts)	120,000km/ 6 years	$$
Spark plugs	40,000km/ 2 years (platinum spark plugs 100,000km/ 5 years)	$$
Timing belt and water pumpt	100,000km/ 5 years	$$$
Transmission service (auto)	60,000 – 80,000km/ 3-4 years	$$
Transmission service (manual)	40,000km/ 2 years	$$
Tyres	30,000 – 50,000km/ 5 years max (for well maintained tyres kept at the correct pressure)	$$
Wheel alignment	When replacing tyres	$
Wiper rubbers	100,000km/ 5 years	$

Did you know that 80% of Australians are wary of being ripped off by a mechanic? Most choose to delay (or even completely skip!) a service just to avoid dealing with a mechanic. This has resulted in over 50% of cars not being serviced on time. The thing is, not all mechanics are bad. In fact, many (especially in Australia) are great at what they do. It’s all about knowing how to find a good mechanic. That’s why we’ve put together a list that will help you distinguish a good mechanic from the get-go. To find an honest, reliable and knowledgeable mechanic in your area, head to our service areas page.