How Often Should You Service Your Car? A Guide for Perth Drivers

Keeping up with regular car servicing is one of the simplest ways to keep your vehicle running smoothly, safely and efficiently. But how often should you actually service your car?

As a general guide, many cars require servicing every 6 to 12 months or every 10,000 to 15,000 kilometres, whichever comes first. However, there isn't one service interval that applies to every vehicle.

Your car's make, model, age, kilometres travelled and driving conditions can all influence how often it needs to be serviced. That's why your vehicle's logbook and manufacturer-recommended service schedule should always be your first point of reference.

For Toyota owners, service intervals also vary between models. Many current-generation Toyota passenger cars and SUVs have service intervals of 12 months or 15,000 km, while other Toyota vehicles require servicing every 6 months or 10,000 km.

Let's take a closer look at how often you should service your car, why regular servicing matters and the signs that could mean your car needs attention sooner.

How Often Should I Service My Car?

The best way to know when your car is due for a service is to check its logbook or owner's manual.

Manufacturers provide a servicing schedule based on both time and kilometres travelled, with your next service generally due when you reach whichever milestone comes first.

For example, if your vehicle requires servicing every 12 months or 15,000 km and you only drive 8,000 km during the year, it should still be serviced when the 12-month interval arrives.

Likewise, if you drive 15,000 km within eight months, you shouldn't wait until the 12-month mark to book your service.

Regular servicing isn't only about how far you've driven. Components, fluids and other parts of your vehicle can still require inspection or maintenance over time, even if your car isn't being driven particularly often.

How Often Should You Service a Toyota?

Toyota service intervals depend on the vehicle, model and operating conditions, which is why Toyota recommends checking the Warranty and Service Book for the servicing schedule specific to your vehicle.

As a guide, many current-generation Toyota passenger cars, SUVs, Hybrid Electric and Battery Electric vehicles are scheduled for servicing every 12 months or 15,000 km, whichever comes first.

Other Toyota vehicles, including a number of commercial and 4WD models, may require servicing every 6 months or 10,000 km, whichever comes first.

For example, different servicing intervals can apply across vehicles such as the Toyota Camry and Toyota LandCruiser Prado, so it's important not to assume that every Toyota follows the same schedule.

Your Toyota's Warranty and Service Book is the best place to confirm exactly when your next scheduled service is due.

Why Is Regular Car Servicing Important?

It's easy to put off a service when your car seems to be running perfectly well. However, regular servicing is designed to identify wear, maintenance requirements and potential issues before they develop into bigger problems.

Depending on your vehicle and its scheduled service, technicians may inspect areas such as your brakes, tyres, fluids, battery and other important components.

Keeping up with your scheduled servicing can help:

• Maintain your vehicle's safety and reliability
• Identify potential issues earlier
• Keep your vehicle performing as intended
• Reduce the likelihood of more expensive repairs caused by neglected maintenance
• Maintain a documented service history
• Support the long-term value of your vehicle

For newer vehicles, following the manufacturer's required servicing schedule can also be important for maintaining applicable warranty coverage.

Can Your Driving Habits Affect How Often Your Car Needs Servicing?

Yes. The conditions you drive in and how you use your vehicle can affect its servicing and maintenance needs.

Frequent short trips, regular stop-start driving, towing, carrying heavy loads or travelling on dusty and unsealed roads can place additional demands on your vehicle. Climate can also play a role, particularly in places like Perth where vehicles are regularly exposed to hot summer temperatures.

Some manufacturers classify these types of driving conditions as severe operating conditions, which may mean your vehicle requires additional maintenance or more frequent servicing.

Driving conditions that may affect your vehicle include:

• Frequent short trips
• Regular stop-start driving or extended idling
• Driving on dusty or unsealed roads
• Towing a caravan, trailer or boat
• Regularly carrying heavy loads
• Driving in very hot or demanding conditions

If you're unsure whether your regular driving conditions affect your vehicle's service schedule, check your logbook or speak to the Scarboro Toyota service team. 

What Happens During a Car Service?

What happens during a service depends on your vehicle and where it sits within its scheduled maintenance program.

Not every car service involves the same work.

Depending on the vehicle, its age, kilometres travelled and servicing history, a scheduled service may include inspections or maintenance relating to areas such as:

• Engine oil and oil filter
• Brakes
• Tyres and tyre rotation
• Battery
• Fluid levels
• Filters
• Transmission
• Lights and electrical systems
• Other components specified by the manufacturer

Your logbook outlines which items should be inspected, maintained or replaced at each scheduled service interval.

For Scarboro Toyota vehicles, the requirements also differ according to the model and scheduled service, so it's best to refer to your Toyota Warranty and Service Book rather than assuming every service will include the same work.

Signs Your Car May Need a Service Sooner

Your scheduled service date shouldn't be the only time you pay attention to your vehicle.

If something suddenly feels, sounds or smells different, it's worth having it checked rather than waiting until your next scheduled service.

Some warning signs to look out for include:

• A warning or service light appearing on your dashboard
• Unusual noises from the engine, brakes or suspension
• Difficulty starting the vehicle
• Changes in braking performance
• Unusual vibrations
• Steering that feels different or pulls to one side
• Fluid leaking underneath your vehicle
• Unusual or burning smells
• Overheating
• A noticeable change in fuel consumption or performance

These symptoms don't necessarily mean something serious is wrong, but they shouldn't be ignored.

If you're concerned about a change in the way your car is driving, arrange to have it inspected.

Do I Need to Service My Car If I Don't Drive It Much?

Yes. Low kilometres don't necessarily mean you can skip your scheduled service.

Most manufacturer service schedules specify both a time and kilometre interval, with the service due according to whichever comes first.

So, if your vehicle has only travelled a few thousand kilometres since its last service but has reached its scheduled time interval, it may still be due.

This can be particularly relevant for second cars, vehicles used primarily on weekends, or people who work from home and don't drive as frequently as they once did.

How Can I Keep My Car Maintained Between Services?

Scheduled servicing should be left to appropriately qualified technicians, but there are simple things you can keep an eye on between appointments.

Regularly check your tyre pressure and condition, pay attention to dashboard warning lights and make sure your windscreen wipers and exterior lights are working correctly.

Before longer journeys, particularly if you're heading outside Perth or taking a road trip through WA, it's also worth checking your vehicle and making sure you're not approaching its next scheduled service.

Most importantly, get to know what is normal for your car. If you notice a new sound, smell, vibration or change in the way it drives, don't simply wait for your next scheduled service to have it investigated.

Stay on Top of Your Car's Service Schedule

So, how often should you service your car?

For many vehicles, servicing will fall somewhere between 6 to 12 months or 10,000 to 15,000 km, but the correct answer is always the schedule specified by your vehicle's manufacturer.

For Toyota owners, servicing intervals vary by model and operating conditions. Check your Warranty and Service Book to confirm when your Toyota is next due, and remember that servicing is based on time or kilometres travelled, whichever comes first.

Keeping up with scheduled servicing can help you stay ahead of potential problems and keep your vehicle running at its best on Perth roads.

If your Toyota is approaching its next scheduled service, book a Toyota service with Scarboro Toyota today.