What is included
- Drain the old oil and replace the filter.
- Refill with the grade and spec your engine calls for, synthetic where it is required.
- Top up washer fluid and check the other fluids.
- Check tire pressures and tread.
- Inspect brakes, suspension, steering, exhaust, belts, hoses and lights while the car is up.
- Reset the service reminder.
How often
Follow the interval in your owner's manual or on your car's service reminder. Most modern cars on synthetic oil go 8,000 to 12,000 km between changes. Ottawa winters count as severe service though: short trips, cold starts and idling to warm up are hard on oil, so if most of your driving is short hops, change it on the shorter end.
Scheduled maintenance
Beyond oil, your car has a schedule: engine and cabin air filters, spark plugs, coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, differential fluid and belts. We follow the manufacturer's schedule for your car, and doing it at an independent shop does not affect your new car warranty as long as the work is done to spec.
Fleet vehicles
If you run vans or trucks for a business, we set up a maintenance schedule for each unit. See fleet maintenance.
