How many kilometers should a car run before a major maintenance?
2 Answers
Generally, a vehicle needs a major maintenance after running 30,000 kilometers, which includes replacing components such as engine oil and oil filter, air filter, fuel filter, power steering fluid, and spark plugs. Below are the specific details of the maintenance: 1. Lubrication system: The car should be cleaned and maintained every 5,000km-10,000km. 2. Fuel system: The car should be cleaned and maintained every 10,000km-15,000km, or when you notice engine stuttering, sluggishness, poor acceleration, black smoke, lack of power, or increased fuel consumption. 3. Cooling system: The car should be cleaned and maintained once during the seasonal transition between winter and summer, or every 6 to 8 months under normal driving conditions, or when encountering issues like overheating, water leakage, or boiling. 4. Transmission: The car should be cleaned and maintained every 20,000km-25,000km, or when experiencing transmission slippage, high water temperature, delayed shifting, or system leakage.
I drive a Honda Civic, and the manual recommends a major service every 30,000 kilometers, which includes replacing the oil filter, checking brake pads and tire wear. Since I mainly commute in the city with heavy traffic, the engine often operates under high load, so I usually go to the dealership for inspection every 25,000 kilometers to prevent small issues from becoming big problems. Remember, a major service isn't just about changing the oil; you also need to check the transmission system, air conditioning refrigerant, and other details. A friend of mine almost had an accident due to brake failure after skipping a service. My advice is to adjust the schedule based on road conditions: you can wait until 30,000 kilometers if you drive mostly on highways, but do it earlier for muddy roads. Safety first—don't skimp on maintenance costs.
