Car maintenance schedule: what to do and when
Regular maintenance is cheaper than repairs, and it keeps your car safer and more reliable. The intervals below are typical ranges. Your owner's manual is the authority for your own car, so check it first.
Updated
Common jobs and typical intervals
- Engine oil and filter: often every 5,000 to 15,000 km, or once a year. Short trips and heavy use call for the shorter end.
- Tire rotation: roughly every 8,000 to 10,000 km, to wear the tires evenly.
- Tire pressure: check monthly and before long trips.
- Air filter and cabin filter: about once a year, or sooner in dusty areas.
- Brake pads and discs: inspect at every service. Pads wear faster in city driving.
- Brake fluid: usually every two to three years.
- Battery: have it tested every year once it is a few years old.
- Coolant: follow the manual, often every few years.
- Wiper blades: replace about once a year, when they start to streak.
Time and distance both count
Most items are due at whichever comes first: a distance or a time. A car that barely moves still needs fresh oil and brake fluid, because they age even when unused. Track both the odometer and the calendar.
Legal inspections
Many countries require a periodic roadworthiness inspection, such as the MOT in the UK or shaken in Japan. The rules and dates differ by country and vehicle age, so look up the requirements where you live and put the next date on your calendar.
How to never miss one
- Write down the last date and odometer reading for each job.
- Add the interval from your manual to get the next due date and distance.
- Set a reminder a few weeks ahead so you can book a garage.
- Record the cost, so you can see what maintenance really takes each year.