How many kilometers should a car be serviced after driving?
2 Answers
Car should be serviced every 5,000 kilometers or so. The car maintenance items include: 1. Check and adjust the tension of the fan and water pump drive belt; 2. Check and adjust the tension of the camshaft timing belt; 3. Adjust the valve clearance; 4. Replace the oil filter, air conditioning filter, and air filter; 5. Replace the engine oil and spark plugs; 6. Supplement the radiator coolant; 7. Clean the throttle valve, fuel injector, and three-way catalytic converter. Car maintenance refers to the preventive work of regularly inspecting, cleaning, supplying, lubricating, adjusting, or replacing some parts of the car, also known as car maintenance.
I've been driving for over ten years and often take long-distance trips, so I'm accustomed to getting maintenance every 5,000 to 8,000 kilometers. It largely depends on my driving habits—for instance, if I do more highway driving, I can stretch the oil change interval to 10,000 kilometers since the engine undergoes less stress. But in city traffic with constant stop-and-go, the wear is heavier, so I might need a check-up around 6,000 kilometers. The car manual suggests 10,000-kilometer intervals for new vehicles, but mine is an old Toyota, and the oil and filters get dirty faster, especially in seasons with poor air quality and more dust, requiring more frequent changes. I also ask the mechanic to check tire pressure and brake pads to avoid sudden issues. When hauling loads or climbing hills, the extra strain means maintenance should be done sooner—say, within 4,000 kilometers—to prevent premature engine wear. Bottom line: safety first. Don’t delay maintenance to save money—my neighbor’s car ended up smoking on the road due to delayed servicing, costing way more in repairs.
