Can I have my car serviced outside the 4S store?
3 Answers
You can have your car serviced outside the 4S store. The car maintenance items include core components and wear-prone parts. The core components include the chassis, engine, and transmission, while the wear-prone parts include engine oil and oil filter, spark plugs, air conditioning filter, tires, brakes, and car lights. The replacement cycle for car maintenance parts is: 1. Brake pads should be replaced every 50,000 kilometers; 2. Spark plugs should be replaced every 20,000 kilometers; 3. Engine oil and oil filter should be replaced every 5,000 kilometers; 4. Air conditioning filter should be replaced every 20,000 to 30,000 kilometers.
You can definitely choose not to have maintenance done at the 4S shop, which I've personally experienced. For the first two times after buying the car, I went to the 4S shop—not only were the costs high, but the queues were long. Later, on a friend's recommendation, I went to a reputable independent repair shop, saving three to four hundred yuan each time, with more attentive and quicker service. The key is finding a professional technician who understands your car model; they use genuine manufacturer parts or equivalents and won't mess around. The law states that maintenance outside doesn't automatically void the warranty, as long as you keep proper records each time, like receipts and parts lists, proving it was done according to the manual standards. I've also tried changing the oil myself, but you need to have the right tools and safety measures in place. Besides saving money, you can also upgrade small car accessories, which is quite worth it. However, for the first year of a new car, it's advisable to stick with the 4S shop for more reliable protection.
I think it's best to prioritize dealership maintenance for new cars under warranty, even though the cost is higher, it offers more peace of mind. I've seen cases where people had issues due to unprofessional repairs at independent shops, leading to failed warranty claims and wasted money. After the warranty expires, of course, you can freely choose independent repair shops for more convenience and cost savings. Always keep complete maintenance records, including receipts and service details, in case the manufacturer needs verification. Also, choose qualified shops and check if the parts they use meet OEM standards. In the long run, it can save a lot of money, but being conservative during the new car phase is not a bad idea.
