Maintenance Plans for Cars

Service schedules: the complete guide

Servicing your vehicle regularly is not optional, it is the key to preserving its reliability, its safety and its resale value. Each manufacturer sets a precise service schedule, tailored to the engine and the conditions of use. Keeping to these intervals means heading off breakdowns, extending the life of the components and staying within the requirements of the MOT.

Understanding service intervals

Manufacturers set two types of interval. It is always the first of the two to be reached that applies:

Distance interval
Based on the distance covered. Example: an oil change every 15,000 km or 30,000 km depending on the manufacturer and engine.
Time interval
Based on the time elapsed. Example: an oil change every 12 months or 24 months. This applies even if the vehicle covers few miles, because the oil degrades over time.

Fixed schedule or service indicator?

Most vehicles use a fixed schedule: the intervals are set in advance by the manufacturer (for example an oil change every 15,000 km or every 12 months). This is the case with Citroen, Peugeot, Renault, Fiat, Toyota, Ford and most other makes. Some fixed schedules distinguish several service levels: a frequent basic service and more thorough services at the major milestones (30,000, 60,000, 120,000 km).

Other vehicles, in particular from the Volkswagen Group (VW, Audi, Skoda, Seat with the QI6 code) and BMW, use a flexible service indicator (LongLife / CBS). The on-board computer calculates the intervals in real time according to driving style, type of journey and engine conditions. Instead of a fixed distance-based schedule, the dashboard shows an indicator when an operation is due.

Normal servicing and severe conditions

Most manufacturers provide a base schedule for normal driving conditions (mixed driving, temperate climate, average mileage). But if your use falls under so-called "severe" conditions, the intervals are shortened. This includes repeated short trips, intensive town driving, regular towing or an extreme climate (severe cold, heat, dusty environment).

The common service operations

Engine oil change
The most frequent operation. The oil lubricates, cools and cleans the internal parts. A delay accelerates wear and can cause irreversible damage.
Brake fluid
Hygroscopic, it absorbs moisture over time, which lowers its boiling point. Typical replacement: every 2 to 4 years.
Brake pads and discs
Wear depends on driving style and type of journey. A regular visual inspection remains advisable.
Spark plugs
Petrol engines only. Worn plugs cause misfires and high fuel consumption. Typical interval: 30,000 to 60,000 km.
Timing belt
A critical operation. A broken belt can cause major engine damage. Typically 60,000 to 150,000 km or 5 to 10 years depending on the engine.
Air and cabin filters
The air filter protects the engine; the cabin filter keeps the cabin air clean. A simple replacement, often every 15,000 to 30,000 km.

Petrol, diesel, hybrid: different programmes

Two cars of the same model with different engines can have very different service schedules. That is why each Haynes schedule is specific to the engine, not the model.

Petrol engines

  • Spark plugs (periodic replacement)
  • Oil-change intervals that vary with the manufacturer and the type of oil
  • No particulate filter or EGR system (except recent direct injection)
  • Auxiliary belt to keep an eye on

Diesel engines

  • Fuel filter (periodic replacement, absent on petrol)
  • Glow plugs (replaced less often than spark plugs)
  • Particulate filter (DPF): regeneration and checks
  • EGR valve: cleaning or replacement depending on fouling
  • AdBlue on Euro 6 models: regular top-up

Hybrids and electrics

  • Lighter combustion-engine servicing (less load)
  • High-voltage circuit coolant (specific interval)
  • Brakes: greatly reduced wear thanks to regenerative braking
  • High-voltage circuit: for qualified professionals only

How to read a service schedule

A service schedule generally has two categories of operation. The standard operations are carried out at every service: oil change, oil filter replacement, visual checks. In a service table, they appear with a dot (●) at each applicable interval. The additional operations have specific, longer intervals: timing belt replacement, brake fluid change, and so on. They are listed separately with their own interval.

To look at the right schedule, start by identifying your make, your model and above all your exact engine, because the intervals vary from one engine to another. Some engines have several schedules depending on the year of manufacture or the type of interval (fixed or flexible): check your vehicle's year to select the schedule that applies.