Learn the lingo: A complete guide to car services

It's easy to find the whole car-servicing game overwhelming, especially if you're not mechanically minded. And to be fair, it is a more complex business than your average retail transaction. Different cars require different styles and levels of periodic attention depending on the make, model, its age and how they've been driven. It's fair to say no two services are the same – or cost the same – and the abundance of different businesses catering to the servicing/repair needs of car owners only increases the variability.

If you have your owner's manual handy and the internet, it's possible to get your head around what your car needs when and what it might cost.

Most cars require scheduled or logbook servicing once a year or every 10,000km to 15,000km – whichever comes first – but some manufacturers recommend every six-months, sub-10,000km or 15,000km-plus attention for their products. If you work your car hard, use it for towing or it's old or has a high mileage, it might require more regular check-ups.

If you're not sure where you stand, flick to the servicing section of your owner's manual. Amongst the wealth of information located here, you'll find the specific time/distance schedule for your car and typically also recommendations for heavy-duty use.

Generally speaking, there are two types of scheduled services – minor and major.

Depending on what you drive, these different types of services will crop up at different times in your wider recommended schedule. Some cars follow an on–off deal (minor, major, minor, major, etc), others have a series of minor services punctuated by a major service.

Your owner's manual will tell you exactly what's involved in each recommended scheduled service for your car, including what parts will be inspected, tested and replaced.

A minor service tends to follow the same script of basic checks, tests and refurbishment, and might include:

• Replacement of engine oil and oil filter
• Inspection and/or topping up of engine coolant, brake, power steering, transmission or other fluids
• Inspection of engine belts, hoses, spark plugs, air, fuel and pollen filters, exhaust and tyres
• Inspection and/or testing of battery, air-conditioning, steering, braking, suspension and lighting systems
• Safety inspection.

A major service tends to be more variable than the minor equivalents depending on which parts are scheduled for replacement at any given time and this is often reflected in the price. A major service will typically cover the same bases as a minor service while adding vital refurbishment such as:

• Spark plug replacement
• Belt or chain replacement (for example, a camshaft belt or timing chain)
• Full flush and replacement of coolant, brake, transmission, power steering or other fluids
• Wheel alignment
• Air, fuel or pollen filter replacement
• Windscreen wiper-blade replacement
• Full air-conditioning system service
• Wheel bearing or suspension-bush replacement.

One thing you won't find in your owner's manual is a price for each service, so how do you get an idea of what you should be paying? If your car falls under an increasingly common capped-price servicing regime, you simply need to logon to your manufacturer's website, where you'll find fixed prices for each recommended service for the set duration of the deal.

If your car isn't covered by capped-price servicing, it's as simple as getting in touch with your dealer or mechanic and asking them for a quote. There are also independent car-service booking websites that will give you an online quote.

^Disclaimer

^{Viva Energy Australia Pty Ltd (“Viva Energy”) has compiled the above article for your general information and to use as a general reference. Whilst all reasonable care has been taken by Viva Energy in compiling this article, Viva Energy does not warrant or represent that the information in the article is free from errors or omissions or is suitable for your intended use.}