Car Maintenance Schedule – Service Interval Guide

Todd Mitchell (photo)
By Todd Mitchell
On: Thursday, June 11, 2026 9:45 PM
maintenance schedule

Car Maintenance Schedule

Enter your current mileage and get a complete next-due mileage schedule for all common service items.

Maintenance Schedule Generator

Current mileage → complete service schedule

How It Works

The tool uses standard intervals for common service items. It rounds down to the nearest completed interval from your mileage, then adds one interval to find the next due point. Items within 3 000 km are highlighted red.

Next Due = ⌊Current Mileage ÷ Interval⌋ × Interval + Interval

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Enter your current odometer reading in km.
  2. Click Generate Schedule — all common service items appear.
  3. Red items are due within 3 000 km — schedule these soon.
  4. Cross-check with your owner’s manual for model-specific intervals.
  5. Use this as a planning guide, not a substitute for manufacturer requirements.

Worked Example

Example: 45 000 km → Oil Change due at 50 000, Air Filter due at 50 000, Coolant Flush due at 50 000, Brake Fluid due at 80 000, Timing Belt due at 100 000.

Reference Table

Service ItemTypical IntervalSkip at Your Risk
Engine oil10–15 000 kmSludge, bearing wear
Coolant50 000 km / 5 yrCorrosion, pump failure
Brake fluid40 000 km / 2 yrWet fluid boils under hard braking
Timing belt60–100 000 kmEngine destruction if it snaps
Brake pads30–50 000 kmRotor damage, brake failure
Air filter25 000 kmPower loss, MAF contamination

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know which intervals apply to my specific car?

Always use the intervals in your owner’s manual as the primary reference. Manufacturers engineer maintenance schedules around their specific components. Generic guides are useful starting points but not substitutes.

What is a ‘major service’ vs a ‘minor service’?

A minor service typically covers oil, filter, and visual checks. A major service adds plugs, air filter, cabin filter, fluid checks, and brake inspection. An ‘interim service’ is a mid-cycle oil change only.

Can I skip the coolant flush if the coolant looks clean?

No — OAT, HOAT, and NOAT coolants degrade chemically even when still coloured correctly. Silicate additives deplete over time, reducing corrosion protection regardless of appearance.

Why does brake fluid need to be changed if it still looks clear?

Brake fluid is hygroscopic — it absorbs moisture from the air over time. Water lowers the boiling point from 250°C+ (dry) to as low as 160°C (wet). Under hard braking, wet fluid can vapour-lock, causing a sudden loss of brake pressure.