How many kilometers should a car be serviced normally?
2 Answers
Normally, a car should be serviced every 5,000 to 7,500 kilometers. Car maintenance items include: cleaning, inspection, replenishment, lubrication, tightening, adjustment, replacement, etc. The purpose of car maintenance is to keep the car clean, maintain normal technical conditions, eliminate hidden dangers, prevent failures, slow down the deterioration process, and extend the service life. The maintenance and replacement cycle of important car components is: replace spark plugs every 20,000 kilometers, wipers every year, brake fluid and coolant every 2 years, tires in pairs every 50,000 to 80,000 kilometers, brake pads every 60,000 to 80,000 kilometers, battery every 3 to 4 years, and fuel filter every 100,000 kilometers.
A few days ago, a Civic with 7,000 kilometers on the odometer came into my shop, and the owner was still asking if it needed maintenance. Actually, oil life has a lot to do with driving conditions. For those frequently stuck in city traffic with short trips, it's best to change the oil at 5,000 kilometers. If you often drive on highways, the factory full synthetic oil can easily last up to 12,000 kilometers. I recommend new car owners check their manuals—most Japanese cars require the first service between 5,000 to 8,000 kilometers. Pay special attention to the air filter; in northern areas with lots of sand and dust, it should be replaced every 20,000 kilometers. Brake fluid and coolant, on the other hand, are more critical to change every two years, so don’t just focus on the mileage.
