Toyota Corolla Maintenance Schedule

toyota corolla

When you follow the recommended Toyota Corolla maintenance schedule, you can be sure that your car will operate smoothly for many years to come. Keeping up with the regular maintenance on your car will provide you with peace of mind and long-term savings.

Maintaining Your Toyota Corolla

Each model year of the Toyota Corolla has slightly different maintenance tasks and recommended intervals; however, you can find out about the recommended maintenance schedule for your Corolla by going to the Toyota Service website. Here, you can select the type of vehicle, the model year, and the mileage interval to find out exactly when you need to service your car.

According to Toyota Parts and Service, the following maintenance tasks are required for the 2010 Corolla. They will be fairly similar for other model years as well.

Every 5,000 Miles of Driving or Semi-Annually

Toyota Carolla Engine
  • Change the oil and replace the oil filter. For older Corollas, you may need to change the oil more frequently.
  • Inspect the brakes, including brake pads and drums.
  • Inspect the tires and rotate if needed.

Every 15,000 Miles of Driving or Every 18 Months

  • Check engine coolant level, and inspect the radiator.
  • Inspect brake lines and all associated components.
  • Check the ball joints.
  • Inspect the boots for the driveshaft.
  • Examine the steering boots, linkage, and gearbox.
  • Check the exhaust system.

Every 30,000 Miles or Every Three Years

  • Replace the air filter for the cabin.
  • Replace the engine air filter.
  • Check the oil for the front differential.
  • Examine the fuel system, including the gasket for the fuel tank, vent system, hoses and gaskets, and fuel lines.

Every 60,000 Miles of Driving or Every Six Years

  • Check the drive belts.
  • Inspect the transmission fluid and change if needed.

Every 100,000 Miles or More

  • Replace coolant for the engine at 100,000 miles or ten years.
  • Replace the spark plugs every 120,000 miles of driving or every 12 years.

Additional Maintenance for Special Driving Conditions

Toyota Corolla

The standard maintenance schedule only applies if you drive your Corolla in regular conditions. If you primarily drive your car on dusty roads or in very heavy traffic, you may need to follow a slightly different maintenance schedule. Towing a trailer with your Corolla also subjects it to extra strain and will require extra maintenance. Keep in mind that only occasionally taking back roads or tackling rush hour traffic does not require any special maintenance.

Extra Semi-Annual Maintenance for Special Conditions

Include these additional maintenance tasks every 5,000 miles or six months if you drive your Corolla in dusty conditions:

  • Check the ball joints and inspect the boots for the driveshaft.
  • Check and, if necessary, replace the engine air filter.
  • Examine the steering boots, linkage, and gearbox.
  • Make sure all nuts and bolts are tight on the Corolla's body and chassis.

Maintenance for Towing with Your Corolla

If you use your Corolla to pull a trailer, you'll need to perform the following tasks:

  • Every six months or 5,000 miles, make sure all the nuts and bolts are tight.
  • Every three years or 30,000 miles, replace the oil for the manual transmission and the front differential.

Your Maintenance Schedule and Your Corolla's Warranty

All new Toyota Corollas come with a warranty from the manufacturer. Unless you purchase additional coverage, this warranty typically covers the entire vehicle for the first three years or 36,000 miles you own it. In addition, the standard powertrain warranty covers the major systems of your car and lasts for five years or 60,000 miles. This coverage is important and offers peace of mind, but following the specified maintenance schedule is essential. If you do not maintain your Corolla according to the schedule, you can void your warranty.

Helpful Maintenance Tips

Feeling a little overwhelmed about your maintenance schedule? These tips can help you keep track of your car's maintenance requirements and maintain your sanity at the same time:

  • Keep detailed records about your vehicle. Your Corolla comes with a maintenance log. You can fill this out each time you have your car serviced, and you'll have a useful record of when the service was performed.
  • If you get confused about whether to perform maintenance using the monthly schedule or the mile-based schedule, simply use whichever one comes first. If your car has 32,000 miles on it but is only two years old, it's still time to replace the air filter.
  • At the beginning of each year, it can help to mark scheduled maintenance on your calendar. Then you'll remember to schedule appointments and keep up with your Corolla's health.
  • You can service your car at a Toyota dealer or any authorized service shop. While your car is still under warranty, it sometimes makes sense to take it to the dealer for service. That way, both you and the dealer have a record of repairs and maintenance for your car.

Part of Owning a Car

Maintenance is an essential part of owning any car. If you keep up with the regular maintenance for you Toyota Corolla, you can expect your vehicle to give you years of trouble-free performance.

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Toyota Corolla Maintenance Schedule