How many kilometers does a new car need to be serviced after driving?
2 Answers
New cars need to be serviced after driving 5,000 kilometers. The following are the car maintenance items and the replacement cycles for some vehicle parts: Car maintenance items: These include core components and wear-prone parts. Core components include the chassis, engine, and transmission, while wear-prone parts include engine oil and oil filters, spark plugs, air filters, tires, brakes, lights, etc. Replacement cycles for some vehicle parts: Engine oil and oil filters need to be replaced every 5,000 kilometers; air filters need to be replaced every 20,000 to 30,000 kilometers; spark plugs need to be replaced every 20,000 kilometers.
I bought a new car last year, and the salesperson told me that the first few maintenance services are super critical. After driving the first few thousand kilometers, the engine and other components need a break-in period. It's generally recommended to do the first maintenance at around 5,000 kilometers, which includes changing the engine oil and oil filter, and checking the tires, brakes, etc. I personally did my first maintenance at 6,000 kilometers, but I feel it's better to do it a bit earlier to avoid component wear. The car's manual specifies the exact mileage, which may vary by a few hundred kilometers between brands—for example, Toyota and Volkswagen recommend 5,000 kilometers, while BMW and Audi suggest 7,500. What I've learned is that regular maintenance isn't just about mileage; you also need to consider time—whichever comes first, three months or 5,000 kilometers, especially in the first year of a new car. In short, frequent maintenance helps the car last longer and saves you hassle and money in the long run.
