How often should a car undergo maintenance?
2 Answers
For minor maintenance, it is generally recommended every 5,000 kilometers or 6 months, while major maintenance is typically required every 20,000 to 30,000 kilometers or every 2 years. During engine operation, various frictions occur, generating debris that mixes with the engine oil. Failure to regularly filter the oil can directly affect the engine's lubrication. Minor car maintenance includes: replacing the engine oil and oil filter. Engine oil serves as the lubricant for engine operation, providing lubrication, cleaning, cooling, sealing, and wear reduction. It helps reduce wear on engine components and extends their service life. The oil filter is a component that filters the engine oil, removing substances such as gum, impurities, moisture, and additives. During engine operation, it filters out metal shavings from component friction, airborne impurities, and oil oxides.
As someone who mainly drives to and from work, my experience is to maintain the car based on both mileage and time for double insurance. Nowadays, most 4S shops recommend mineral oil every 5,000 km/six months, semi-synthetic every 7,500 km/eight months, and full synthetic every 10,000 km/one year, but don’t just rely on this! Last time, my colleague’s car hadn’t reached the mileage, but after ten months without an oil change, the engine was full of sludge when opened. Especially for those often stuck in traffic, shorten the interval—I commute three hours daily and insist on changing full synthetic oil every 8,000 km. Finally, a reminder: modified cars, old cars, or those parked long-term should be checked in advance.
