How Far Should a New Car Go Before Its First Maintenance?

[SanGriffin]

The first maintenance for a new car is at 5,000 kilometers. Below is more information about the first car maintenance: First Maintenance Inspection: During the first maintenance, the engine oil, oil filter, fuel filter, and air filter are replaced. Car maintenance refers to the regular preventive work of inspecting, cleaning, supplying, lubricating, adjusting, or replacing certain parts of the car. Its purpose is to keep the car clean, maintain normal technical conditions, eliminate hidden dangers to prevent faults, slow down the deterioration process of parts, and extend the service life. Precautions for the First Maintenance of a New Car: Avoid running the engine for a long time in an unventilated garage; avoid sucking the oil pipe with your mouth; avoid getting carburetor cleaner on the car body.

[FelixLynn]

When my new car reached 3,000 kilometers, the dashboard displayed a maintenance reminder. Honestly, there's no standard answer for the first service. Japanese cars usually require it at 5,000 kilometers or six months, while some German cars can go up to 10,000 kilometers. The key is your driving environment—if you're often on construction sites or dirt roads, it's better to go in 1,000–2,000 kilometers earlier. Remember to bring the maintenance manual, as dealerships often push for early servicing. I now make it a habit to have the salesperson stick a reminder note on the windshield at delivery, so I don’t forget. The oil life monitor is quite handy these days—when it drops to 15%, it’s time to book an appointment.

[DeJude]

My daily driver didn’t get its first oil change until 7,200 km, and the technician said the filter was completely black. The first service interval should consider two key factors: mileage (most cars recommend 5,000-8,000 km) and time (even with low usage, engine oil degrades after six months). My neighbor’s PHEV has more complex rules – electric and fuel mileage are tracked separately. Avoid aggressive driving during break-in; keep RPMs below 3,000 for the first 2,000 km to minimize metal shavings in the first oil change.

[MarcusFitz]

Last time when accompanying my friend for the first maintenance, I learned an interesting fact: some performance cars come with a break-in counter, which automatically limits the speed once it reaches the preset value. For regular cars, it's recommended not to exceed 8,000 kilometers before the first maintenance, with the key being to replace the initial oil containing metal debris. Fully synthetic oil can extend the interval to around 10,000 kilometers, but it's still advisable to do the first maintenance earlier. I make a habit of keeping a maintenance logbook in the glove compartment and checking the odometer every time I refuel. Before long-distance road trips, always check the oil dipstick—if metallic reflective particles are found, send the car for repair immediately.