How Many Kilometers Should a Car Be Serviced?
2 Answers
Cars should be serviced every 5,000 to 7,500 kilometers. The maintenance items for a car include: cleaning, inspection, replenishment, lubrication, tightening, adjustment, replacement, etc. The purpose of car maintenance is to keep the vehicle clean, maintain normal technical conditions, eliminate hidden dangers, prevent faults, slow down the deterioration process, and extend the service life. The maintenance and replacement cycles for important car components are: spark plugs should be replaced every 20,000 kilometers; wiper blades should be replaced annually; brake fluid and coolant should be replaced every 2 years; tires should be replaced in pairs every 50,000 to 80,000 kilometers; brake pads should be replaced every 60,000 to 80,000 kilometers; the battery should be replaced every 3 to 4 years; and the fuel filter should be replaced every 100,000 kilometers.
As a frequent driver, I've found that maintenance intervals aren't fixed—the 5,000 to 10,000 km range is just a general guideline. It really depends on your driving habits. For example, with my city driving involving heavy traffic and frequent engine starts and stops, the oil consumption is faster, so I get maintenance every 6,000 km. If you do more highway driving, the interval can be extended to 10,000 km, provided you use full synthetic oil, which is more durable and long-lasting. Additionally, the vehicle model makes a big difference. For gasoline cars, the owner's manual for new models may suggest 7,500 km, while older cars might need maintenance as early as 5,000 km to prevent thickened oil from causing part wear. Delaying maintenance not only leads to louder engine noise and higher fuel consumption but could also result in costly major repairs. I always check the dashboard alerts and regularly replace filters and other add-ons, saving hundreds a year while keeping the engine more durable.
