How Many Times Should a New Car Be Serviced in a Year?
3 Answers
It is appropriate to service a new car twice a year, with the first maintenance required at around 5,000 kilometers. Car maintenance refers to the preventive work of regularly inspecting, cleaning, supplying, lubricating, adjusting, or replacing certain parts, also known as car servicing. Its purposes are: 1. To keep the car clean and tidy; 2. To ensure good technical condition, eliminate hidden dangers, and prevent faults; 3. To slow down the deterioration process of parts and extend their service life. The benefits of maintenance include: 1. Ensuring the vehicle is in excellent performance condition; 2. Improving the vehicle's efficiency and reducing the wear of its parts and tires; 3. Enhancing driving safety; 4. Avoiding potential hazards caused by vehicle issues; 5. Reducing noise and environmental pollution; 6. Keeping the vehicle's appearance clean and preventing damage.
As a seasoned driver with over a decade of experience, I can tell you that new car maintenance shouldn't be rigidly tied to fixed schedules. What matters most is how you actually use your vehicle. If you're mainly commuting in the city with good road conditions and driving about 10,000 kilometers annually, a basic maintenance once a year is sufficient. However, if you live in a dusty area, frequently drive on mountain roads, or make lots of short trips with frequent stops, you might need to change the oil and filter every seven to eight months. This is especially true for turbocharged vehicles - prolonged low-speed driving leads to more carbon buildup, requiring more frequent maintenance. During my last service, the mechanic mentioned that modern full synthetic oils have significantly improved durability, eliminating the need for as frequent changes as before, which saves both hassle and money.
Old Wang from the car repair shop next door talked to me about this. He said many car owners waste money on excessive maintenance. The most reliable method is to check your vehicle's manual—manufacturers specify everything clearly. Nowadays, most new cars use long-life engine oil, and under normal driving conditions, an annual service every 10,000 kilometers is perfectly fine. However, if you drive harshly, such as daily construction site trips or deliveries, you should inspect the chassis and filters every six months. Remember, new car owners shouldn’t be fooled by dealerships into servicing every three months—the engine oil in new cars is still in great condition. Old Wang mentioned seeing many cars being taken for maintenance after just 3,000 kilometers, which is purely a waste of money.
