📅 Category: Maintenance & Care | By: Clyde Motors KE | ⏱ 5 min read
One of the most common questions new car owners ask — and one that many experienced drivers still get wrong — is how often a car should be serviced. The answer is not one-size-fits-all, and in Kenya’s specific driving conditions, the standard manufacturer guidelines sometimes need adjusting. In this post we break it down clearly so you always know when your car is due for a service.
Why Regular Servicing Matters
A car engine is a collection of moving metal parts operating at high temperatures under constant stress. Engine oil lubricates these components and prevents metal-on-metal contact that would cause rapid wear. Over time, that oil breaks down, picks up contaminants, and becomes less effective. Filters become clogged. Fluids degrade. Small issues — a slightly worn brake pad, a barely-leaking hose — go unnoticed and grow into expensive problems.
Regular servicing catches all of this before it becomes a breakdown. It keeps your engine running efficiently, maintains fuel economy, extends the life of your vehicle, and protects your resale value. A car with a documented, consistent service history sells faster and for more money than an identical car without one.
Skipping services to save money is one of the most expensive false economies in car ownership.
The General Rule: Every 5,000km or Every 3 Months
For most Japanese used cars in Kenya — Toyotas, Nissans, Hondas, Subarus — the standard recommendation for conventional mineral or semi-synthetic engine oil is a service every 5,000km or every 3 months, whichever comes first.
The “whichever comes first” part matters. Even if you have only covered 3,000km in three months, time degrades engine oil. Short trips, stop-start driving, and dust all accelerate this degradation regardless of distance covered.
Does Fully Synthetic Oil Change the Interval?
Yes, meaningfully. Vehicles using fully synthetic engine oil — which is increasingly common in newer Japanese imports — can often extend their service interval to 10,000km or 6 months. Synthetic oil is more thermally stable, resists breakdown better, and stays effective for longer.
Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual to confirm whether your engine is designed for synthetic oil, and ensure your garage is actually using the specified oil type. Some garages default to cheaper mineral oil regardless of what the vehicle requires — ask explicitly.
Kenya-Specific Considerations That Affect Service Intervals
Kenya’s driving conditions are different from the Japanese roads these vehicles were designed for, and that has implications for maintenance:
Dust: Kenya’s roads — particularly during the dry season — generate significant dust. Dust clogs air filters faster than in cleaner environments. Check your air filter at every service and replace it more frequently than you might in a less dusty climate.
Stop-start traffic: Nairobi’s traffic means many drivers spend significant time idling or moving slowly. This type of driving is harder on engines than open-road driving because the engine never reaches optimal operating temperature for extended periods. It also means your oil accumulates moisture from incomplete combustion cycles. More frequent oil changes compensate for this.
Unpaved roads: If you regularly drive on murram or unpaved roads, dust and debris accelerate wear on multiple components — not just the air filter but the suspension, tyres, brakes and underbody. Inspect these components more frequently if off-road driving is part of your routine.
Fuel quality: While fuel quality in Kenya has improved, variation exists. Lower-quality fuel can accelerate carbon deposits in the engine over time. Using a reputable fuel brand at a well-run station is worth the minor additional cost.
What a Standard Service Should Include
A proper minor service for most Kenyan cars should include at minimum:
- Engine oil replacement (with the correct oil grade and specification)
- Oil filter replacement
- Air filter inspection and replacement if necessary
- Check and top up all fluids (coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, windscreen washer fluid)
- Tyre pressure check and rotation if due
- Brake inspection (pads and discs)
- Visual check of belts, hoses, and undercarriage
A major service — typically every 40,000–50,000km — adds items like spark plug replacement, fuel filter replacement, transmission fluid change, and a more comprehensive inspection of wear items.
How to Track Your Service History
Keep a dedicated service record — either a physical booklet in the car’s glove compartment or a digital record on your phone. Every service should be documented with the date, mileage, work carried out, parts replaced, and the name of the garage or mechanic. This record is invaluable when selling the vehicle and gives you a clear picture of your car’s maintenance history at a glance.
Choosing a Reliable Garage in Kenya
Not all garages are equal. For your regular servicing, look for a garage that specialises in or has strong experience with your specific vehicle make. Ask other owners in your community for recommendations, check that the mechanic uses the correct oil and parts specifications, and be cautious of garages that quote unusually low prices — they often cut corners on parts quality or skip steps.
Building a relationship with one reliable mechanic who knows your specific vehicle pays dividends over time.
The Bottom Line
In Kenya’s conditions, the golden rule is simple: service your car every 5,000km or every 3 months — whichever arrives first. Do not skip. Do not delay. Use the right oil. Keep records. It is the single highest-return maintenance habit you can build as a car owner.
At Clyde Motors, every vehicle we sell is prepared and serviced before it leaves our lot. We are also happy to recommend trusted service centres for ongoing maintenance after your purchase.
👉 Browse our stock at clydemotors.co.ke or WhatsApp us on 0740635621.