Toyota Corolla 10th Gen (2009-2010) Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals

This is the maintenance schedule and associated service intervals for the Toyota Corolla 10th Gen (2009–2010). It applies to North American models built on the all-new tenth-generation platform introduced for 2009, featuring a revised chassis, updated suspension design, and new engine options.

The Toyota Corolla 10th Gen was offered in the following variants:

• CE, LE, and S models equipped with a 1.8-litre DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder engine with Dual VVT-i, producing 132 hp and 128 lb-ft of torque (paired with a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission) 
• XRS model equipped with a 2.4-litre DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder engine with VVT-i, producing 158 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque (five-speed manual or five-speed automatic) 

All models share the same basic front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout, MacPherson strut front suspension, torsion beam rear suspension, and standard anti-lock braking system  . Vehicle Stability Control was standard on XRS models (regional variations may apply)  .

The factory maintenance schedule for 2009–2010 models specifies service every 5,000 miles or six months, whichever comes first  . Engine oil and filter replacement is required at each 5,000-mile interval.

Between 2009 and 2010, there were no mechanical changes that alter maintenance requirements. Trim-level differences such as wheel size, tire specification, or brake package on the XRS do not affect the core service schedule. As a result, the maintenance schedule presented here applies uniformly to all Toyota Corolla 10th Gen models from 2009 through 2010.

Other Toyota Corolla Models:

• Toyota Corolla 11th Gen (2014-2019)
• Toyota Corolla 12th Gen (2020+)

This site has links for things like oil and spark plugs from which we earn a commission (which unfortunately nobody can save, not even us). If you appreciate this work, then please use those links. Thanks!

Toyota Corolla 10th Gen (2009-2010) Service Intervals

The basic service interval for the Toyota Corolla 10th Gen (2009–2010) is every 5,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first. This schedule applies to both the 1.8-litre models and the 2.4-litre XRS.

At every 5,000-mile service:

• Replace engine oil and oil filter
• Rotate tires
• Inspect brake pads, discs, linings, and drums
• Inspect and adjust all fluid levels
• Check installation of driver’s floor mat

At longer intervals, additional tasks apply:

• Inspect ball joints, steering linkage, brake lines, radiator and condenser
• Inspect engine coolant
• Inspect exhaust system components 
• Replace cabin air filter
• Replace engine air filter
• Inspect transmission fluid or oil 

The 1.8-litre and 2.4-litre engines are straightforward transverse four-cylinder layouts with easy access to filters and service points, making routine maintenance simple and predictable.

General Notes on Serviceability of the Toyota Corolla 10th Gen (2009-2010)

• The Toyota Corolla 10th Gen uses either a 1.8-litre Dual VVT-i four-cylinder or a 2.4-litre VVT-i four-cylinder in XRS models. Both are conventional transverse inline engines with straightforward access to filters, belts, and ignition components, making routine servicing simple.
• Engine oil and filter must be replaced every 5,000 miles or 6 months without exception  . This short interval is part of the factory schedule and should not be extended.
• The engine is liquid-cooled. Coolant condition should be monitored during inspections and replaced at 100,000 miles, then at regular intervals thereafter. Keeping coolant fresh prevents internal corrosion.
• Brake components should be inspected at every 5,000-mile service. XRS models may have different wheel and tire sizes, but inspection requirements are the same.

Maintenance schedule for the Toyota Corolla 10th Gen (2009-2010)

This is the maintenance schedule for the Toyota Corolla 10th Gen (2009–2010), including CE, LE, S, and XRS models equipped with the 1.8-litre and 2.4-litre four-cylinder engines. The content is the same as in the official Toyota Warranty and Maintenance Guide, though presented in a clearer and more practical format.

The schedule is divided into three parts:

• Regular maintenance: Every 5,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first.
• Periodic maintenance: Maintenance tasks that occur between 15,000 miles – 30,000 miles or 18 months – 36 months, whichever comes first.
• Long-term service intervals: Items that require attention at longer, sporadic intervals.

Where Toyota specifies different requirements based on oil type, driving conditions, or drivetrain configuration, those notes are included so the schedule can be followed accurately without referring back to the manual.

Regular Maintenance

At every 5,000-mile or 6-month service, Toyota specifies a set of standard maintenance items for the Toyota Corolla 10th Gen. These include both required replacements and routine inspections, and they apply to all vehicles regardless of how they are driven.

Toyota also lists additional maintenance items for special operating conditions. For the Toyota Corolla 10th Gen, these apply if the vehicle is regularly driven on dirt roads or dusty roads, or if it is used for towing.

Under these conditions, certain items require closer attention and, in some cases, earlier replacement rather than inspection. This most commonly affects engine oil and related drivetrain components, as well as suspension and steering parts that are exposed to dust or added load.

If your driving is mostly normal commuting with a mix of city and highway use, you can follow the standard maintenance table. If the vehicle is frequently driven on dusty roads or used for towing, refer to the additional maintenance section and adjust the schedule accordingly.

Periodic Maintenance

In addition to completing all items listed under Regular Maintenance (5,000 miles / 6 months), also perform the following periodic maintenance tasks.

Periodic maintenance items occur between 15,000 miles – 30,000 miles or 18 months – 36 months, whichever comes first. These services introduce additional scheduled replacements beyond the routine oil and filter changes, and they build on the regular maintenance rather than replacing it.

Special operating condition (Towing): If the vehicle is regularly used for towing, replace the front differential oil on manual transmission models every 30,000 miles or 36 months, whichever comes first.

Long-Term Service Intervals

The following tasks are required less frequently, at longer mileage and time intervals. While they are not part of the regular 5,000-mile service, they are essential for long-term performance and reliability. Refer to the maintenance schedule table below for the exact mileage or time requirement, and follow whichever comes first.

Note: Drive belts receive their first inspection at 60,000 miles or 72 months, and must then be inspected every 15,000 miles or 18 months thereafter.

Perform the following long-term maintenance tasks if the vehicle is regularly used for towing.

Tire sizes and pressures for the Toyota Corolla 10th Gen (2009-2010)

Toyota Corolla tire sizes range from 15-inch to 17-inch. The following lists the tire sizes and recommended tire pressures for the Toyota Corolla 10th Gen (2009-2010).

About the Toyota Corolla 10th Gen (2009-2010)

The Toyota Corolla 10th Gen arrived for 2009 as a clean-sheet redesign, and it felt like Toyota tightening every bolt on a formula that already worked. The body was all new, wider and lower, built on a revised platform with a new chassis and suspension setup. It was still unmistakably a Corolla, just sharper and more planted.

Under the hood, most buyers got the 1.8-litre Dual VVT-i four-cylinder. It makes 132 hp at 6,000 rpm and 128 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. It is paired with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. Nothing exotic here, just a straightforward DOHC 16-valve engine that does exactly what it promises. Smooth, predictable, easy to live with.

Then there is the XRS. That model swaps in a 2.4-litre four-cylinder producing 158 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. Same basic layout, more displacement, noticeably stronger midrange. It can be had with a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic. It is not a hot hatch, but compared to the regular 1.8 it feels like it finally has some muscle.

Trim levels break down like this:

• CE and LE: comfort-focused, same 1.8-litre engine, conservative wheels and suspension tuning
• S: still the 1.8, but with sportier touches such as alloy wheels, body kit, and fog lamps 
• XRS: 2.4-litre engine, larger wheels, Vehicle Stability Control as standard 

All models use a front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout with MacPherson struts up front and a torsion beam rear suspension. Anti-lock brakes are standard across the board. It is conventional engineering, which is part of the charm. Nothing complicated, nothing fragile.

Inside, Toyota focused on usability. The redesign brought a roomier feel, improved storage, and better ergonomics without dramatically changing exterior dimensions. The S and XRS add sportier trim details, but the basic layout stays simple and functional.

Compared to rivals of the time like the Honda Civic or Mazda3, the Corolla 10th Gen leaned more toward durability than drama. It is less flashy than a Mazda3 and less edgy than a Civic, but it has a calm, honest quality that ages well.

Maintenance is straightforward. The factory schedule calls for service every 5,000 miles or six months, whichever comes first. Oil and filter are replaced at every interval. Cabin and engine air filters come up at 30,000 miles. Coolant is first replaced at 100,000 miles  . It is a disciplined schedule, but the engine layout makes everything accessible and easy to service.

Between 2009 and 2010 there were no mechanical changes that affect maintenance. Wheels and trim varied by model, and the XRS carries different tires and output, but the service requirements remain the same.

The Toyota Corolla 10th Gen is not trying to impress you with tricks. It just does the fundamentals properly. Simple engines, sensible suspension, predictable service intervals. If you want a compact sedan that feels engineered rather than hyped, this one delivers.

References — Screenshots from the Toyota Corolla 10th Gen (2009-2010) Owner’s Manual

Below is a selection of screenshots from the maintenance schedule for the Toyota Corolla 10th Gen (2009-2010) from the official manual.