What changes at 10,000 km?

10,000 km is the point where a car stops being new. Nothing dramatic happens, but the first real service is usually due around now, and it is worth knowing what genuinely has to change and what only has to be looked at.

Usually replaced

• Engine oil and oil filter. The single most important item on the list. Depending on the engine and on how the car is used, the interval may be shorter than 10,000 km, so the handbook wins if it says sooner.
• Air filter. Often due around this mileage, especially if you drive on dusty roads or in the city a lot.
• Pollen / cabin filter. Cheap, quick, and the reason the windows stop misting up and the heater stops smelling.
• Fuel filter. Not on every car at 10,000 km, but on many diesels it is. Worth checking your schedule.

Checked, adjusted, replaced only if needed

• Brake pads and discs. Measured, not replaced on mileage alone. If a pad is getting thin, replace pads as a pair per axle.
• Brake fluid. Usually judged by age rather than kilometres — every two years is the common rule.
• Coolant. Level and condition checked; the fluid itself normally lasts far longer.
• Tyres. Pressures set, tread depth measured, and rotation if your car benefits from it.
• Belts and hoses. Inspected for cracking or glazing.
• Battery and charging. A quick test, particularly before winter.

What is not due yet

Timing belts, spark plugs, gearbox oil and suspension components usually have far longer intervals. Do not let anyone talk you into them at 10,000 km unless the handbook says so or something is actually wrong.

A practical checklist

1. Read the service schedule for your exact engine, not for the model in general.
2. Buy the filters as a set — the oil, air and cabin filter together is usually cheaper than one at a time.
3. Keep the receipts. A stamped or documented history is worth real money when you sell the car.
4. If you do the work yourself, write down the date and the odometer reading.

If you are unsure which parts fit your car, search by the TecDoc part number or send us the vehicle details and we will point you at the right ones.