Do Cars Need Monthly Maintenance?

[DelStella]

Cars do not require monthly maintenance; the recommended maintenance cycle is every 5,000 kilometers or every six months. Car maintenance refers to the preventive work of regularly inspecting, cleaning, replenishing, lubricating, adjusting, or replacing certain parts of the vehicle. The purpose is to keep the car clean, ensure normal technical conditions, eliminate potential hazards, prevent faults, slow down the deterioration process, and extend the service life. The maintenance items for a car include: 1. Replacing engine oil, oil filter, air conditioning filter, and air filter; 2. Checking whether all fluids meet the standards; 3. Inspecting whether the lights, chassis, and braking system are functioning properly; 4. Checking and tightening the connection between the wheels and hub nuts; 5. Adjusting the idle speed and idle mixture pedal clearance; 6. Checking the tightness of the engine cylinder head screws.

[VonRiley]

As a seasoned driver with over twenty years of experience, I don't recommend servicing your car every month. Based on my experience, most vehicle manuals specify maintenance intervals, typically every six months or every 5,000 to 10,000 kilometers driven. For example, my old car required servicing every 7,500 kilometers. If you do it monthly, not only is it a waste of money—each service could cost several hundred dollars—but it might also negatively impact your car. Engine oil and air filters don't need to be replaced that frequently; excessive changes can disrupt the engine's internal balance, leading to performance degradation. Instead, I perform basic checks myself every month: measuring tire pressure, checking fluid levels, and ensuring all lights are functional. This approach is both safe and time-efficient. Following the manufacturer's recommendations is the wisest choice—don't fall for dealership upselling. Over-maintenance can accumulate problems over time, as I learned the hard way in my younger days when changing oil too often caused premature engine aging.

[EloiseLee]

As a new car owner, I used to worry about whether monthly maintenance was necessary, but now I realize it's completely unnecessary. After reading the owner's manual, I found the maintenance guidelines are clear: for example, my new car requires basic maintenance every six months or 8,000 kilometers. Going to the shop every month not only costs extra money—hundreds each time—but may also disrupt the car's normal operation; changing the oil too frequently can even harm the engine. I've learned to do quick monthly checks myself: cleaning the windshield, ensuring the tires are fine, and testing brake response—simple yet effective. Online discussions and fellow car owners' experiences have taught me that modern cars are designed to be durable and don't require such frequent attention. It's more worthwhile to spend the saved money on fuel or household expenses rather than being scared by service ads. Developing good habits is key, not blindly following frequent maintenance trends.

[RyderRose]

I love tinkering with my car and am familiar with everything from the engine to the suspension. I know very well that cars don't need monthly maintenance. The essence of maintenance is to service components like engine oil and filters, which have fixed service intervals—typically every six months or 10,000 kilometers is reasonable. Frequent servicing wastes materials and can even harm the system. Modern vehicles use high-grade synthetic oils that last much longer; I recommend using a mobile app to track mileage and service dates, setting reminders as needed. Over-maintenance can lead to extra wear from frequent disassembly and even affect electronic modules. I only perform basic checks monthly, like inspecting brake fluid levels or the cooling system, to ensure everything is in order. Don’t blindly follow unnecessary expenses—learning simple upkeep is far more practical.