How Many Kilometers Should a Car Be Driven Before Maintenance?
4 Answers
Generally, a car should undergo maintenance every 5,000 kilometers or every six months. According to 4S dealership regulations, car maintenance should be performed between 5,000 to 10,000 kilometers. The primary purpose of car maintenance is to keep the vehicle clean and in good technical condition. It helps eliminate potential hazards, prevent accidents, slow down the aging process of components, extend their lifespan, and ensure the car operates smoothly. Routine maintenance includes changing the engine oil and oil filter, cleaning the air filter, inspecting spark plugs, brake fluid, transmission oil, battery, throttle, and fuel injectors, checking tires and their pressure, and examining the chassis, brake pads, brake discs, brake lines, steering linkage ball joints, and shock absorbers. New cars typically require their first maintenance after three months or 3,000 kilometers. During the initial break-in period, many parts need to be properly worn in. Therefore, new cars should have their oil filter replaced at 3,000 kilometers, and the engine oil, oil filter, and air filter replaced at 7,500 kilometers. After the break-in period, maintenance should be done every 5,000 kilometers. It is also important to choose an authorized 4S dealership for maintenance.
I've been driving for over a decade, and maintenance definitely shouldn't be a one-size-fits-all approach. When I first got my new car, the 4S dealership recommended the first service at 5,000 kilometers. Later, after switching to full synthetic oil, the 4S technician said I could stretch it to 8,000 kilometers. Now with my German car, the owner's manual specifies maintenance at 12,000 kilometers, but since I mostly drive short distances in the city with frequent traffic jams, I opt to change the oil around 8,000 kilometers. Old Zhang at the repair shop mentioned that if you often drive on highways, you can go up to 15,000 kilometers between services. But if you frequently drive on dusty dirt roads, the air filter gets dirty faster, so it needs checking at around 6,000 kilometers. It also depends on the type of oil—mineral oil needs changing at 5,000 kilometers, semi-synthetic at 7,000 to 8,000, and full synthetic can last up to 10,000 kilometers.
Last time I had my car serviced, I specifically asked the technician at the 4S dealership. He said getting minor maintenance every 5,000 to 10,000 kilometers is the safest approach. My Japanese SUV has been running for three years now, and I generally stick to changing the engine oil and oil filter every 8,000 kilometers. However, the technician emphasized that maintenance intervals vary significantly for different components. Since I frequently drive on highways, my tires need to be rotated front-to-back every 20,000 kilometers, and the brake fluid should be replaced every two years. Spark plugs only need replacement at 40,000 kilometers, while the cabin air filter should be changed with every service. The most important factor is the driving environment—in northern regions where winter temperatures drop to -20°C, maintenance should be more frequent. I've developed a habit of checking the dipstick every 5,000 kilometers; if the oil looks dark, it's time to prepare for a change.
My wife bought a new energy vehicle last year, and its maintenance rules are completely different from those of a gasoline car. Her pure electric car's manual states the first service is due at 15,000 kilometers, mainly for battery and electrical system checks. My old gasoline car is much more troublesome, with the maintenance light coming on precisely at 7,500 kilometers. I remember once when I was on a long business trip, covering 3,000 kilometers round trip, and when I got home, I found the engine oil had turned as black as soy sauce, so I rushed to get it changed. The mechanic said that nowadays, cars come with intelligent reminder systems, and following the indicator lights for maintenance is generally foolproof.
