How many kilometers are required for the first maintenance?
2 Answers
The first maintenance should be performed between 3,000 to 5,000 kilometers. The first maintenance includes: 1. Changing the engine oil, oil filter, and cleaning the air filter, 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 there is uneven tire wear, bulging, or damage; 4. Inspecting the car chassis, including the brake pads, brake discs, connecting rods, ball joints, and CV joints for any scratches; 5. Checking whether all switches and lights in the car are working properly. Precautions for the first maintenance are: 1. Make an appointment in advance; 2. Record any faults or questions encountered while driving and inform the staff during the maintenance registration.
I've driven quite a few cars, and generally, the first maintenance is recommended between 5,000 to 10,000 kilometers. At this point, the new car has just been broken in, the small friction particles between parts are mostly cleared out, and the engine runs smoother. I usually drive gently for the first few hundred kilometers, avoiding sudden acceleration, to let the engine adapt. Then, as soon as it hits five thousand, I promptly go for an oil and filter change and check the brake system and such. Different brands have different requirements—Japanese cars often set it at five thousand, Volkswagen might say six thousand, Hyundai eight thousand, BMW ten thousand—don't overlook these details. If you usually drive more on rural dirt roads with a lot of dust, you should advance the maintenance mileage to prevent grime buildup from affecting engine life. Remember, after maintenance, the car performs better, runs more fuel-efficiently, and is more reliable. Delaying it will only lead to higher repair costs later.
