How often should a car be serviced under normal circumstances?
3 Answers
Under normal circumstances, a car should be serviced every six months. Routine car maintenance involves replacing the three filters and engine oil. The three filters that need to be replaced are the oil filter, air filter, and fuel filter. These components are used frequently and require regular maintenance. In addition, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and air conditioning refrigerant are typically replaced every two years or 40,000 kilometers. When selecting related products, it is advisable to choose original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts to avoid affecting the vehicle's performance. Additionally, car body refurbishment mainly involves repairing scratches, engines, bumpers, leather materials, and other components.
How often to service your car really depends on how you use it. After driving for over a decade, here's what I've learned: New cars should get their first service within 3,000 km, then follow the manual—typically minor maintenance every 5,000 to 10,000 km or every six months to a year. However, if you frequently drive on rough roads, crawl in traffic, or take many short trips that prevent the engine from warming up properly, consider servicing 1,000–2,000 km earlier. Cars using full synthetic oil can stretch to 10,000 km between services, but those with conventional mineral oil shouldn’t exceed six months. Also, don’t just focus on mileage—items like tire rotation and brake pad checks need attention over time, or they’ll damage the chassis.
For daily car use, we just want peace of mind. I'm used to getting a check-up every six months or after driving 7,500 kilometers. Why set it this way? Engine oil is like the blood of a car—its performance declines after six months, especially in summer when high temperatures cause greater viscosity changes. For those who drive long distances frequently, change the oil and oil filter every 8,000 kilometers. For commuters like me who drive less than 5,000 kilometers in six months, maintenance is still necessary because oxidized oil can produce sludge. Also, check if the air filter is dirty—during spring in the north when willow catkins are abundant, the air filter can clog in just three months. Remember, if the wrench icon lights up on the dashboard, address it immediately.
