How many kilometers can a car still drive after reaching the maintenance period?
2 Answers
A car can still drive one to two thousand kilometers after reaching the maintenance period. The first-level maintenance is a maintenance operation centered on tightening and lubrication for motor vehicles that have traveled a certain mileage, including checking and tightening the bolts and nuts of the exposed parts of the car; adding lubricant to the designated lubrication parts; checking the lubricant level in each assembly and adding lubricant; cleaning various air filters, etc. The second-level maintenance is a maintenance operation centered on inspection and adjustment for motor vehicles that have traveled a certain mileage. Maintenance scope: In addition to the first-level maintenance items, it includes checking and adjusting the working conditions of the engine and electrical equipment, dismantling and cleaning the oil pan and oil filter, checking and adjusting the steering and braking mechanisms, dismantling and cleaning the front and rear hub bearings; adding lubricant, dismantling and inspecting tires, and performing tire rotation, etc.
Honestly, how many extra kilometers you can drive after the car's maintenance period depends entirely on the vehicle's condition and the type of maintenance. For example, an oil change—most manufacturers recommend doing it every 5,000 to 10,000 kilometers. But if you're too busy, driving an extra 1,000 or 2,000 kilometers might not be a big deal—engine oil doesn’t degrade that quickly. However, don’t push it too far; exceeding 2,000 kilometers or more can accelerate engine wear due to oil breakdown, and over time, you risk severe damage like cylinder scoring. Other components matter too—if you skip brake pad or tire maintenance, driving even a few hundred extra kilometers could be dangerous. Personally, I think the key is developing good habits: check your car’s condition on schedule and don’t risk ruining the entire engine to save a few bucks on maintenance. Remember, there’s no fixed number—the farther you push it, the higher the risk, especially for older cars or those frequently driven at high speeds, which are more prone to issues.
