Car Maintenance: Based on Date or Mileage?
3 Answers
Both the maintenance date and mileage should be considered, with whichever comes first being the determining factor. For frequent drivers, focus on mileage: Some car owners drive frequently and can follow mileage-based maintenance intervals, such as 5,000 km, 10,000 km, 15,000 km, or 20,000 km. For infrequent drivers, focus on time: Some owners drive their cars less often, in which case maintenance can be scheduled based on time. Car maintenance is divided into major and minor services. Minor maintenance primarily involves changing the engine oil and oil filter, while major maintenance includes replacing parts such as the engine oil filter, air filter, and cabin air filter. Components like spark plugs, brake fluid, and transmission fluid do not have fixed replacement intervals and should be replaced according to the vehicle's maintenance manual.
I've been driving for over 20 years and find this quite interesting. Initially, I only focused on mileage for maintenance, but once my car sat idle for nearly half a year. When I drove it again, the engine noise was as loud as a tractor. Later, I checked the manual and learned that engine oil and coolant degrade over time—mileage alone isn't enough. Maintenance should consider both time and mileage; for example, manuals typically recommend service every six months or 5,000 kilometers, whichever comes first. Especially in summer heat, rubber parts age faster, while in winter, changes in oil viscosity also matter. Now, I set phone reminders to avoid missing schedules. Skipping timely maintenance leads to worse carbon buildup in the engine, making repairs far costlier. Don’t underestimate it—safety first. Just make it a habit.
I've only been driving for a little over a year and knew nothing about car maintenance when I bought my vehicle. For the first few months, I just followed the mileage-based schedule, but the mechanic told me that wasn't comprehensive enough—components like tires and batteries naturally degrade over time. The manual recommends maintenance every 3 months or 10,000 kilometers. Now I've developed a habit of keeping a log and regularly checking oil levels and air filters. If the car isn't driven often, the date becomes more critical; for someone like me who takes frequent weekend trips, mileage takes priority. In environments with heavy rain or snow, moisture can accelerate corrosion in pipelines, making early maintenance a smarter move to avoid exorbitant repair costs later. Overall, striking a balance is the wisest approach.
