How do I know when my car needs a service ?

[DustyLee123]

Stupid question I know, it used to be after so many miles. But my car is flashing up that the oil needs changing, so do I put it in for that or a service ?
I don’t know if you service after so many months now, or so many miles.

you could do a winter service

Don’t do what a neighbour of ours did and ignored the warning light, never checked the oil level, didn’t top the oil up at all because the car ‘wasn’t due for a service’. But he did a lot of motorway driving. Result? Engine seized up completely.
He literally drove it into the ground.

Every 12 months here, just before an MOT. They're essential maintenance.

Never ignore warning lights like, even if it's due or not.

My last three cars were 20,000 miles or every 12 months. It always told me, as long as the garage reset the service interval on the computer.

Never worry about MOTs as they are changed out before that's needed.

Current is 10,000 or 12 months, will be needing one soon. App on my phone now tells me when it's needed, as the car constantly updates Toyota with the full car info.

My last three cars were 20,000 miles or every 12 months.

That’s a weird interval, what cars were those?

We have a newer car so I know what alert you are talking about. It isn't a traditional warning alarm. Ours gave us a 28 day oil service count down, so we booked it in for a service. I imagine it will do it every year. A useful reminder I guess.

Vauxhalls I thought it was weird too.

Service intervals vary between manufacturers and models. There probably aren't too many cars on the road now with an X 000 miles or every 6 months. Almost all will be every X 000 or 12 months whichever is soonest. The type of service needed also varies from a simple oil & filter change to changing spark plugs, other filters etc which tend to be alternated each time it's serviced.

This is so useful! I am equally clueless.
I do a full service every year with the MOT but this time the oil light was on for a couple of weeks before the service. Must learn how to add oil.
Mine’s a 4 year old Golf auto and I only do about 3k miles a year. Maybe I don’t need to do a full service annually?

Almost all will be every X 000 or 12 months whichever is soonest.

Not any more, most are 2 years/x miles these days

I wouldn't be leaving oil in my car that's up to two years old.

Oil generally will be good for 2-5 years after opening - modern oils are much longer life than old fashioned oils. I'd still err on changing oil and filter every year for MOT simply because if you're not using the car very much the oil doesn't get to full heat and thus doesn't perform as well.
If you have a set of spanners, it's not rocket science to drain your own oil, change the filter and refill with fresh oil. Otherwise pay someone to do it.
I'd also be sure to check tyre pressures, wear on tyres, light bulbs and wiper blades, changing anything as needed myself. Pointless paying someone to do the basics, but do tell them wipers and light have been checked and changed if you pop it in for a service as they'll only charge you for it.

Oil generally will be good for 2-5 years after opening - modern oils are much longer life than old fashioned oils. I'd still err on changing oil and filter every year

I'm just anal about engine oil. Modern synthetics are much better, but I just feel happier having had a change done.

I've had company cars for the last 14 years and really don't have to worry, but always make sure it gets done.

Oil light to top up or oil light to service/change?

Never leave the oil light to top up on for any amount of time. Running out of oil can be catastrophic for a car.

Adding oil is the simplest thing to do. Under the bonnet, there is a lid with a genie lamp symbol on - unscrew when the engine is cold and add small amounts using a funnel until the level is correct. Too much oil is also bad. You shouldn't have to top up in between services really.

I think golfs will be 2 years but a quick google will tell you.

I wouldn't be leaving oil in my car that's up to two years old.

Nor would I in a car I care about/drive hard but in a daily beater/white goods kind of car sticking to the manufacturer’s schedule will be fine, the car’s still likely to fall apart before the engine fails.

I don’t do an annual service. The garage told me that I didn’t need to either. I do a service every 10,000 miles which is about every 2 years.

Google your specific make of car.
Oil change light indicates major service, and that's usually fixed at every 2 years, I think.
Then every other year is a regular service interval, unless you do a lot of miles.

Oil change light is different to low oil warning.

This will be very car specific.

For my VAG group one, the service interval count down and oil change one, are entirely independent.

I ve had a major service and oil not changed as the ECU said No Oil ok, 4000 miles later, Oil change light comes on!

My Toyota 4x4 is ages, like a year or 20k miles.

My Smart Roadster is 7,000 miles.

Check your book.

Had a look, it’s 12,000 miles or annually.

Had a look, it’s 12,000 miles or annually.

There’s your answer then, as long as you know when it was last serviced?

With those service intervals and you mentioned the 'oil change due' light, I'm guessing Ford? If it's one of the problematic eco boost wet belt engines very important the correct oil is used, don't be afraid to question the garage on this to ensure they know. You would think they do but not all mechanics are as on the ball as others. As others said I would also do it annually with the MOT. Set a reminder on your phone for a month before it's due.

With those service intervals and you mentioned the 'oil change due' light, I'm guessing Ford?

I was thinking Audi TTs 😂

No, neither of them !