How Long Does the First Maintenance Take to Complete?
3 Answers
First maintenance takes about 2 hours to complete. The first maintenance items include: 1. Changing the engine oil and oil filter, cleaning the air filter, and checking whether the generator belt and wiper blades are damaged; 2. Checking whether the levels of various fluids are normal; 3. Checking whether the tire pressure is normal and whether the tires have uneven wear, bulges, or damage; 4. Inspecting the car chassis, including the brake pads, brake discs, connecting rods, ball joints, and CV joints for scratches; 5. Verifying that all switches and lights in the car are working properly. Car maintenance precautions are: 1. Make an appointment in advance; 2. Record any faults or questions encountered while driving and inform the staff during maintenance registration.
Last time I took my new car for its first service, I was also worried about it taking too long. The actual experience from entering the 4S shop to getting the car back took about 1.5 hours. Their process was quite standardized: first, the service advisor took 10 minutes to check in the car, then the mechanic drove it into the bay for a full inspection, with core items like oil and filter changes taking about 40 minutes. After that, the chassis and tire checks took 20 minutes, and finally, washing and handing over the car took another 20 minutes. I recommend avoiding weekend rush hours—I went on a Wednesday morning when it was less crowded, and I could enjoy a freshly ground coffee and browse my phone in the lounge. Don’t forget to bring the maintenance manual, as some brands may require an electronic system update, which could add an extra 10 minutes.
With over a decade of car repair experience, I've witnessed countless first maintenance cases. The standard procedure takes 45 minutes to an hour at most. Three key factors matter: Booking appointments saves queue time at reception; Vehicle type significantly impacts duration - oil changes for sedans are quicker while SUV lift adjustments consume more time; Shop efficiency varies greatly, with authorized 4S shops completing basic maintenance in 30 minutes when bays are available. Remind owners to clear valuables from trunks beforehand - last week a customer's packed fishing gear delayed the spare tire compartment inspection by 15 minutes. The worst scenario involves trainees practicing - even an oil filter replacement can take 20 minutes.
