Car Maintenance: when and how

Schedule your maintenance

The maintenance schedule is a timetable based on periods of time and distance covered (for example, 6 months/8,000km). The carmaker specifies the service required at each step.

Less than the strict minimums?

Note that some intervals are too long to follow by date alone. Even if it’s written in black and white in your manual, don’t wait 16,000 or 25,000km to have a simple oil change done!

Some cars are equipped with electronic monitoring systems: the onboard computer tells the driver how many kilometres remain before next scheduled maintenance appointment at the garage. Whether you have a regular calendar or an automated system, we recommend that you stick to it. In case of a breakdown caused by lack of maintenance, the dealer will want to see proof that service was carried out (e.g., invoices from your garage visits) so as to apply the warranty. If you are the first owner and you have nothing to show, you’ll probably have difficulty getting your car fixed for free.

What garage to go to? It’s up to you!

Contrary to popular belief, there’s no obligation for you to entrust your car’s maintenance to the dealer that sold it to you. The Consumer Protection Act (CPA) states that you can choose your own garage. Read our tips to find the right mechanic.

No matter where you go, ask for detailed invoices with parts numbers for anything installed… and be sure to keep this written proof.

Do you have a used car under warranty? Good news: you’re protected by the CPA. No dealer can ask you for proof of maintenance by the previous owner before repairing or replacing any parts at their cost.

Entrust some tasks to the pros, do others yourself

Here is an overview of maintenance tasks that you can entrust to professionals and those that you can easily look after yourself.

There are, of course, many other things to monitor and problems to look out for, such as the appearance of rust.

Rustproofing: needed or not?

These days, bodywork, undercoating and automotive paints are more rust-resistant than they were 10 or 15 years ago. Don’t get too excited, though: no car is 100% rustproof.

If you plan on keeping your car for a long time, it’s worth your while to invest in a good rustproofing treatment. Check into how the shop’s technicians will proceed. The best product is worth nothing if it isn’t properly applied!

Some useful information:

• Most manufacturers cover perforation due to rust for at least five years. If you have leased or purchased a car and that you are planning on keeping for less than five years, you can skip the rustproofing.

• The treatment is as efficient in the summer as in the winter, if the car was dry to start with to allow the product to properly adhere to the surfaces.

• There are several application techniques on the market: oil, semi-solid oil, grease, and so-called permanent treatments. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Here again, the application quality trumps the actual product used.

• Prices vary (a lot) depending on the method employed, the size of the vehicle, etc.

Things you can look after yourself

Read on to find out what you can monitor and do yourself. These few precautions aren’t terribly complicated, and will make a difference to your car and your wallet.

• Check the oil every one or two fill-ups. Low oil levels can damage the engine, even on a brand new car.

• In the winter, keep the gas tank at least one-quarter full. Otherwise, condensation and freezing could cause a break or fuel starvation.

• Check your tire pressure regularly. The recommended tire pressure appears on a sticker in the driver’s side doorframe (don’t go by the pressure indicated on the tire).

• Replace your wiper blades every one to two years, depending on their condition.

• Check your battery once or twice a year. Is there any corrosion? Think about getting it cleaned to avoid any starting problems.

• Wash your car often, even in the winter. Grime and salt create excellent conditions for rust, especially on damaged or non-painted metal surfaces. High-pressure car washes found at service centres are perfect when it’s too cold out to wash your car yourself.