Preventive maintenance means replacing wear items on a schedule instead of waiting for them to fail. It’s the difference between a planned $300 job and an unplanned $3,000 one with a tow truck attached.
Every few weeks
- Check tyre pressures, including the spare
- Check engine oil level
- Check coolant level in the overflow bottle (only when cold)
- Make sure all lights and indicators work
Every six months
- Inspect tyres for uneven wear and check tread depth
- Look at brake pad thickness through the wheels
- Check wiper blades — they harden and streak in the WA sun
- Test the battery if it’s more than three years old
At every logbook service
- Engine oil and filter
- Air filter and cabin filter as scheduled
- Brake and suspension inspection
- Fluid levels and condition throughout
- A road test to check for anything that only shows up while driving
The intervals people forget
Some items don’t come up at every service, which is exactly why they get missed:
- Timing belt — typically 100,000 to 150,000 km depending on the engine. On an interference engine, a snapped belt destroys the engine. This is the most expensive interval to ignore.
- Brake fluid — usually every two years, regardless of kilometres.
- Coolant — varies widely, but old coolant stops protecting against corrosion.
- Transmission fluid — many automatics need it far sooner than “sealed for life” suggests, particularly if you tow.
If you’re not sure what your car is due for, bring it in with whatever records you have and we’ll put together a plan based on its age and kilometres. Booking online takes a minute.