“How often should I service my car?” is one of the most common questions Australian drivers ask mechanics—and the honest answer is: it depends on your vehicle and how you use it. The good news is there’s a simple way to get it right.
Your manufacturer’s service schedule is designed for your exact engine, transmission and emissions system. It lists what should be inspected or replaced at each interval (kilometres and/or time). If your car is under warranty, following the schedule is also the safest way to protect your coverage.
Many modern cars fall somewhere in this range, but it’s not universal. Some vehicles run shorter intervals (especially older models), while others may extend to 20,000 km under ideal conditions. The “or time” part matters too: oil degrades with age, moisture and short-trip use, even if you don’t drive much.
Australian driving can be “normal” on paper but harsh on oil and filters in real life. You may need servicing sooner if you do:
In these cases, using the shorter end of your recommended interval is a smart way to prevent sludge, overheating issues, and premature wear.
A routine service is usually oil + filter plus a safety inspection (brakes, tyres, steering, suspension, lights, battery, fluid levels). At certain intervals, the schedule may add items like air and cabin filters, brake fluid, coolant, spark plugs, transmission servicing, or drive belts.
Book in sooner if you notice warning lights, rough running, increased fuel use, overheating, strange smells, new leaks, or braking/steering changes. Small symptoms are often the cheapest to fix early.
If you drive only on weekends, don’t skip services. Short runs can leave moisture and fuel dilution in the oil, and time-based items like brake fluid and coolant still age. Likewise, diesels doing short trips can have DPF/soot issues if they never get a hot run.
Ask for a service plan. A good workshop will explain the “must-do now” items versus “monitor” items, so you’re making informed decisions—not guessing.
At Your Local Mechanical (YLM), we can check your service schedule, look at your current kilometres and driving habits, and map out what’s due now, what can wait, and what to budget for next. We can also set reminders so you don’t miss the next service date.
