So December is fast approaching, which means it's time for my Ford Focus's annual service. Last year I had the timing belt done since I knew I was going to pass the 100k miles danger mark this year, so that's out of the way and can be forgotten about - unless by some work of magic I still have this car after 175k miles or so.

This year though there's a new batch of jobs to be done after passing 100,000 miles to keep my car running smoothly. Alas, here it goes:

• Oil change.


• New oil filter


• New air filter


• New cabin air filter


• Engine coolant flush & change


• General fluid top up


• Fuel filter


• New valve rocker cover gasket


• New PCV valve and hoses

So nothing really crazy to be done except the valve cover gasket and PCV valve, which I'm having done to try and cure two minor issues. First, there's a very tiny oil leak from the rocker cover, which is to be expected from an engine that's done this many miles as the rubber of the gasket breaks down.

Secondly, my Focus is giving off slight burning oil/exhaust smell when warm which disapears when moving but comes back when I slow down/stop at traffic lights etc. This could also be caused by the tiny oil leak from the rocker gasket burning off but is more commonly made by the PCV valve degrading or the hoses splitting from age.

Most excellently though I recieved a cheque to reimburse me for my tuition fees because I paid too much, which is more than enough to cover the cost of two services! Woot!