How Many Kilometers Should a Car Go Before a Major Maintenance?
4 Answers
Generally, a car should undergo a major maintenance every 5,000 kilometers. Below are the reasons and items for a car's major maintenance: Reasons for a car's major maintenance: It is not only to maintain the car's cleanliness and normal technical condition, eliminate potential hazards, and prevent failures, but also to extend the car's service life. Car maintenance is a preventive measure that involves adjusting or replacing certain parts of the car within a certain period, also known as car servicing. Items for a car's major maintenance: Replace engine oil and oil filter; Replace air filter; Check spark plugs; Replace fuel filter; Add brake fluid; Replace transmission oil; Clean throttle body; Clean fuel injectors; Check tires and braking system; Replace cabin air filter; Replace engine belt.
My car has been running for almost ten years, and experience tells me that major maintenance is something you really can't take lightly. Regular minor maintenance is done every 5,000 to 10,000 kilometers, but a thorough major maintenance is usually scheduled every 50,000 kilometers. Especially around the 40,000-kilometer mark, I have the mechanic replace all the fluids in the car—transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid—everything gets refreshed. Critical components like spark plugs and belts also need careful inspection; if they snap on the road, it’s a real hassle. I remember once delaying until 70,000 kilometers, only to find the coolant had deteriorated, nearly causing engine trouble. So don’t just rely on mileage—consider your daily driving conditions too. If you frequently drive on dirt roads or highways, you might need to schedule maintenance earlier.
After driving for so many years, I've concluded that major maintenance intervals primarily depend on three key factors. First is the vehicle model difference - Japanese cars typically require major maintenance every 60,000 km, while German cars might need inspection at 40,000 km. Second is usage frequency - my colleague who commutes 100 km daily gets a full vehicle check at 30,000 km. Third is reviewing previous maintenance records - if major components like timing belts were replaced last time, you can appropriately extend the current interval. The safest approach is to follow the owner's manual which clearly specifies maintenance milestones for each model. I make it a habit to thoroughly inspect the brake system, suspension system, and especially tire wear at 50,000 km - safety always comes first.
Last week, I took my domestic SUV for its 60,000-kilometer major maintenance. The mechanic said this milestone is particularly crucial. In addition to the mandatory oil and oil filter change, it's essential to inspect the entire electrical system to prevent wiring aging. The transmission fluid must be replaced; otherwise, gear shifts may become sluggish. Air filters and cabin air filters are especially important in spring—I didn't change them promptly last year and ended up with allergic rhinitis. It's best to schedule major maintenance outside the rainy season for clearer undercarriage inspections. My neighbor delayed until 80,000 kilometers, only to spend over 6,000 yuan repairing the transmission—a classic case of being penny-wise and pound-foolish.
