Can the first car maintenance be done at any 4S store?
3 Answers
You can get your car's first maintenance at any 4S store, but you can enjoy free maintenance at the 4S store of your car brand, including the 4S stores of the same brand in other regions. All manufacturers provide nationwide warranty service. It should be noted that you need to have the first maintenance card with you before going for maintenance, as the 4S store requires the first maintenance card to provide free maintenance, and the 4S store will reclaim it. The 4S store applies for subsidies from the manufacturer based on the first maintenance card. Without the first maintenance card, you cannot enjoy free maintenance. When the vehicle is undergoing its first maintenance, bring the user manual with you. The service store will stamp the maintenance chapter on the manual, which is also the proof of vehicle maintenance.
The first car maintenance doesn't necessarily have to be done at the original dealership, but it must be performed at an authorized 4S store of the same brand. Last time I got a new car, the maintenance manual clearly stated that the first service could be completed at any service center of that brand. For example, I bought my car at the Toyota dealership in the east of the city, but later went to the one in the west for convenience, and everything went smoothly. The staff checked the car and recorded the maintenance information. The advantage of doing this is ensuring complete warranty records, so the manufacturer won't shirk responsibility if the car breaks down. Moreover, if you go too far and choose a different brand's service center, they might not have the original equipment and parts, making it hard to guarantee maintenance quality. Regular maintenance keeps the car in stable condition and avoids costly major repairs later. I always make a phone appointment in advance to save time from waiting in line.
When getting the first car maintenance, although you can go to any brand's service center, it must be a shop certified by the same manufacturer. My car repair experience tells me that going to a different brand for repairs may result in technicians not using dedicated diagnostic tools, which could easily lead to major issues by overlooking minor problems. Maintenance records must be synchronized to the manufacturer's database for the warranty to remain valid. I recommend car owners check the specific requirements in the maintenance manual and not take shortcuts by going to the wrong place, only to end up paying extra. Choosing a nearby authorized service point can save time and avoid unnecessary hassle, making the car feel smoother after maintenance.
