At how many kilometers should a car undergo a major maintenance?
2 Answers
When a car reaches 30,000 kilometers, it requires a major maintenance service. This includes replacing the engine oil, oil filter, air filter, fuel filter, power steering fluid, and spark plugs. Typically, during a car maintenance service, technicians will perform additional inspections based on the vehicle's specific condition and may add other maintenance items, such as inspection and cleaning of the engine-related systems, wheel alignment checks, and inspection of various fastening components. For any car, as its age and mileage increase, its technical condition will gradually deteriorate. Fastened components may become loose, and the clearance between parts will increase due to wear. Various protective fluids in the car, such as engine oil, transmission fluid, and coolant, may become coked, scaled, deteriorated, or ineffective. If not replaced in time, these issues can affect the car's normal operation and lifespan.
The last car I drove had a major service at 40,000 kilometers, but there's actually no universal standard—it depends on what car you drive. German cars usually require one every 20,000 kilometers, while Japanese cars are more lenient, with 30,000 to 40,000 kilometers being normal. A major service isn't just about changing the engine oil; it includes replacing transmission fluid, brake fluid, coolant, and checking the belts and spark plugs. My friend's SUV skipped its 30,000-kilometer major service, and the belt snapped, leaving him stranded on the road—repairs cost nearly 10,000 RMB. The most reliable approach is to check your own maintenance manual; the manufacturer spells it out clearly. Your driving habits also matter—if you're constantly crawling in city traffic, consider getting service 5,000 kilometers earlier.
