Periodic Car Maintenance Schedule

Once your car gets close to a certain mileage or reaches a certain age, periodic maintenance becomes essential. It catches expected problems early and protects the car's safety and lifespan. This is why the periodic car maintenance schedule is a roadmap: it helps you find possible problems and keeps your car safe and long-lasting. The schedule below shows the right time for each check your car needs, by distance driven.

How does the manufacturer set the maintenance schedule?

Periodic car maintenance schedule: the car manufacturer uses two criteria to set the schedule, distance driven and time elapsed, whichever comes first. It works as follows.

Car maintenance schedule by distance driven

Full initial inspection: the 1,000 km service

At first, the aim is a full check of the new car. Parts are rarely replaced. It is only an inspection of some parts of the car:

• Inspect the brake line hoses and pipes, and tighten them if needed.
• Check the brake fluid level.
• Check the brake pedal and handbrake, and adjust them if needed.
• Test the ignition timing and the contact breaker point gap, at the service center of course.
• Check the clutch pedal in manual cars.
• Check the steering fluid level (power steering fluid).
• Tighten any nuts that need tightening.

The 5,000 km service

It is time for some changes, such as:

• Change the engine oil
• Change the engine oil filter
• Check the air filter
• Check the brake pads
• Check the brake pedal and handbrake
• Check the steering fluid level (power steering fluid)
• Ask for lubrication of the points that need it, if required

The 10,000 km service

This is one of the most important periodic checks. It includes:

• Change the engine oil
• Change the engine oil filter
• Check the air filter and replace it if needed
• Check the brake pads
• Check the brake pedal and handbrake
• Check the brake fluid level
• Check the steering fluid level (power steering fluid)
• Check the automatic transmission fluid (ATF)
• Check the exhaust pipes
• Check the spark plugs and replace any damaged ones
• Check the ignition timing and the contact breaker point gap, and adjust them if needed
• Check the battery
• Check the brake hoses and pipes
• Ask for lubrication of the points that need it, if required
• Tighten any nuts that need tightening
• Check the tires
• Check the wiper rubbers and the lights, and replace any damaged ones

The 15,000 km service: regular periodic maintenance

When the car reaches 15,000 km, the service is slightly lighter than the major service. It includes:

• Change the engine oil
• Change the engine oil filter
• Check the brake pedal and handbrake
• Check the brake pads

The 20,000 km service

This is one of the most important stages in the periodic car maintenance schedule. This check includes:

• Check the valve clearance and adjust it if needed
• Check the belts and replace them if needed
• Change the engine oil
• Change the engine oil filter
• Check the radiator and cooling system, and replace the radiator coolant
• Check the exhaust pipes
• Change the spark plugs
• Change the contact breaker points
• Check and adjust the ignition timing
• Change the fuel filter
• Check the ventilation hoses
• Check the brake pedal and handbrake
• Check the brake pads
• Check the brake fluid
• Check the brake hoses and pipes
• Check the manual transmission oil
• Change the automatic transmission fluid
• Check the differential oil in rear-wheel-drive cars
• Check the tires
• Tighten the nuts firmly

The 25,000 km service

At 25,000 km, there is a regular periodic service. It includes:

• Change the engine oil
• Change the engine oil filter
• Check the brake pedal and handbrake
• Check the brake pads
• Ask for lubrication of the points that need it, if required
• Check the wheel joints
• Check the power steering fluid level

The 30,000 km service

The 30,000 km service includes:

• Change the engine oil
• Change the engine oil filter
• Check the brake pedal and handbrake
• Check the brake pads
• Check the exhaust pipes
• Check the spark plugs
• Check the air filter

The 35,000 km service

At this stage, the service includes:

• Change the engine oil
• Change the engine oil filter
• Check the brake pedal and handbrake
• Check the brake pads
• Check the parts of the brake circuit
• Check the power steering fluid level
• Ask for lubrication of the points that need it, if required

The 40,000 km service

The same as the 20,000 km service. It includes all of its checks, plus:

• Change the manual transmission oil
• Change the differential oil in rear-wheel-drive cars
• Change the brake fluid

The 45,000 km service

It includes all the checks of the 25,000 km service.

Common periodic maintenance schedule for all cars

Tires

Monitor tire wear regularly and replace the tires when they reach the minimum allowed wear limit. It is best to change the tires before 60,000 km, depending on the quality and type of the tire. Their lifespan is between 40,000 km and 80,000 km.

Engine oil

Engine oil is the vital element that keeps your car healthy. Most cars need an engine oil change, along with an engine filter change, every 5,000 km to 10,000 km, depending on the type of oil and the engine size. The lifespan of engine oil is 6 months or 10,000 km.

Air filter

The air filter protects your engine from dirt and harmful particles. Change the air filter at 20,000 km to 30,000 km. Its lifespan does not exceed 30,000 km.

Radiator coolant

Radiator coolant plays a key role in keeping your engine temperature within a safe range. Change the radiator coolant before 50,000 km or 3 years to keep its properties. Its lifespan is 50,000 km or 3 to 5 years.

Brake fluid

Brake fluid is a sensitive and vital part of the braking system. Check your car's brake fluid every two years and change it every 5 years, because it gradually loses its properties under pressure and heat. The lifespan of brake fluid is about 5 years.

Brakes

Car brakes are changed at 30,000 km to 60,000 km, because of normal wear or depending on how much they are used. Brake pad wear differs from one driver to another and from one road to another, so check them regularly.

Spark plugs

Spark plugs are among the most important parts of the ignition system. Change your car's spark plugs after 3 years of use, or at 32,000 km to 48,000 km.

Gear oil (transmission oil)

Change the gear oil after 60,000 to 100,000 km. The second gear oil change comes after 40,000 to 60,000 km. If the car gets older after that, change the gear oil every 30,000 to 40,000 km.

Maintenance schedule for Toyota cars

Keeping to the periodic maintenance schedule for a Toyota gives you strong, efficient performance for years to come. It extends the car's lifespan and raises its resale value. Car maintenance and repair centers offer reliable, high-quality services, genuine spare parts and all the repairs a Toyota needs, at competitive prices and on time.

Maintenance schedule for Renault cars

Following the periodic maintenance schedule for Renault cars gives you safe driving for years in a row, using the latest tools for periodic checks and for repairing sudden faults.

Maintenance schedule for Kia cars

Periodic maintenance for Kia cars extends the car's lifespan and saves fuel. You do not need to spend a lot of money on spare parts and repairing damaged parts, and the car keeps its market value when you sell it.

• Tip: replace the belts every 100,000 km
• Tip: have your car inspected at the dealer's service center, because the staff are professionally trained and know every detail of your car

If you are looking for the best Toyota spare parts store in Saudi Arabia or the best Ford spare parts store in Saudi Arabia, for all types of parts, visit the Speero website, your guide to complete, thorough periodic maintenance.

Frequently asked questions

Car maintenance schedule: every how many km?

The periodic maintenance schedule depends on the distance driven:

• 1,000 km: general initial inspection
• 5,000 km: engine oil change + filter
• 10,000 km: full inspection and replacements
• 20,000 km: extended service (spark plugs, belts, radiator)
• 40,000 km: transmission oil and brake fluid change

How often should I change car oil, in km?

Change the engine oil every 5,000 to 10,000 km, depending on the type of oil:

• Mineral oil: every 5,000 km
• Semi-synthetic oil: every 7,500 km
• Synthetic oil: every 10,000 km

The basic lifespan of the oil is 6 months or 10,000 km, whichever comes first.

Car maintenance prices in Saudi Arabia?

Periodic maintenance prices in Saudi Arabia vary by car type and where the service is done:

• 5,000 km service: 250 to 350 SAR
• 10,000 km service: 350 to 500 SAR
• 20,000 km service: 600 to 900 SAR

Prices at official dealer centers are higher than at other spare parts stores.

When do I change the car air filter?

Change the air filter at 20,000 km to 30,000 km, depending on driving conditions:

• In desert and sandy areas: every 15,000 km
• In city areas: every 20,000 to 30,000 km

The lifespan of the air filter does not exceed 30,000 km.

How much does changing spark plugs cost in Saudi Arabia?

The price of changing spark plugs in Saudi Arabia ranges between:

• 200 and 400 SAR (full set)
• It varies by car type and spark plug quality

When should you change spark plugs?

• After 3 years of use
• Or at 32,000 to 48,000 km