Do cars need maintenance every month?
2 Answers
Car maintenance is not required every month. Here are the relevant details: 1. Generally, a routine maintenance is performed every 5,000 kilometers or every six months, which mainly includes changing the engine oil, oil filter, and air filter. The maintenance every six months involves cleaning the exterior of the engine, taking care to waterproof the electrical components during cleaning. 2. If the electrical components have high waterproof requirements, avoid using high-pressure or high-temperature water jets to clean the engine. Instead, use a brush with cleaning solution to clean the engine exterior. 3. The fuel filter and air filter should be replaced every 10,000 kilometers, while the cabin air filter should be replaced every year or approximately every 20,000 kilometers. 4. A full fluid replacement is required at 40,000 kilometers. 5. During each maintenance session, the transmission should be inspected. Although transmission fluid does not need to be replaced, the fluid level should be checked regularly, and non-original fluid should not be used without authorization.
I've been driving my car for over a decade and never performed monthly maintenance—that's totally impractical! Manufacturer manuals typically recommend a full service every 5,000 km or 6 months, including oil and filter changes. There’s no need to overdo it unless your car is very old or you drive daily in mines or dusty areas, which might warrant slightly earlier intervals. Monthly maintenance is just a waste of money and time, and it’s easy for dealerships to upsell unnecessary services. Instead, I suggest doing simple monthly checks yourself: inspect tire pressure, engine oil level, windshield washer fluid, and bulb functionality. These tasks are easy DIY jobs that save both money and hassle. Remember, excessive maintenance might even shorten parts’ lifespan because fresh oil needs time to stabilize. Smart, balanced upkeep is the most cost-effective—just keep driving safely.
