How often should a car be serviced?
4 Answers
Generally, a car should be serviced every 5,000 kilometers. Below is relevant information about car maintenance: First maintenance time: Some manufacturers determine the first maintenance time based on either time or mileage. The exact first maintenance time should be referred to in the vehicle's user manual or warranty manual. The first maintenance is very important and is usually free, so it is essential to remember to do it to avoid missing it, which could affect the car's third maintenance. Maintenance items: Main car maintenance items include replacing engine oil, oil filters, transmission oil, spark plugs, air conditioning filters, air filters, brake fluid, etc. However, not all these items need to be replaced during every maintenance session, as it depends on their service life. Additionally, maintenance involves the inspection and upkeep of dozens of items across multiple systems, including the engine, transmission, air conditioning system, steering system, braking system, suspension, body, and tires.
Actually, this issue is quite common. From my observation of my own car, I usually go for maintenance every six months or around 5,000 kilometers. The key is to follow the requirements in the vehicle manual, as different car brands can vary significantly. For example, my German car requires maintenance once a year or every 10,000 kilometers, while my friend's Japanese car needs it every six months. If you mostly drive in the city with heavy engine load, I'd recommend doing it earlier; if you drive more on highways, you can delay it slightly. Last time I forgot to change the engine oil, and the engine noise became noticeably louder. The technician later said excessive sludge buildup can indeed damage the engine. For new cars, it's safest to follow the manual for the first few years, but after five years, you can shorten the interval. Now, before the weather gets hotter, I plan to check the cabin air filter and get the maintenance done at the same time.
The maintenance interval depends on the specific vehicle conditions. For pure electric vehicles, a basic inspection every 10,000 kilometers is sufficient, mainly focusing on the brakes and cooling system. I commute 40 kilometers daily, so maintenance is generally mileage-based, with a reminder light on the dashboard at every 5,000 kilometers. Friends who frequently take long trips should pay more attention to tire wear and engine oil condition. Last time, I saw a mechanic dismantle a car that hadn't been maintained for a long time, and the engine was severely carbon-fouled. A special reminder: those using full synthetic oil can maintain every 8,000 to 10,000 kilometers, while semi-synthetic oil is good for 5,000 kilometers. In winter with frequent cold starts, maintenance should be done earlier.
Practical experience tells me not to rely solely on either time or mileage. A colleague's car only ran 8,000 kilometers in two years, but the engine oil emulsified severely. I drive about 2,000 kilometers per month, so servicing every five months is the most reasonable. Older cars require more frequent attention, especially those over eight years old, as rubber components age quickly. Recently, I noticed the brake fluid hadn't been changed in two years, and the pedal became soft. In humid southern regions, pay extra attention to chassis rust inspections, while in the north, antifreeze must be replaced before winter. For modified performance vehicles, maintenance intervals should be shortened even further.
