How Often Should a Car Undergo Major Maintenance?
2 Answers
Generally, a car should undergo major maintenance every 20,000 kilometers. For 6-cylinder cars, it's recommended every 2 years or 60,000 kilometers, while 4-cylinder cars should have it every 2 years or 80,000 kilometers. Regular car maintenance includes changing the engine oil and oil filter, frequent car washing, and regular checks on tire surface and pressure, oil level, coolant level, and brake fluid level. Major maintenance covers a wide range of services such as engine oil, three filters (air, fuel, and oil), transmission gear oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, spark plugs, throttle body cleaning, fuel injector cleaning, catalytic converter cleaning, tire rotation, brake pad inspection and replacement, inspection of all rubber hoses, checking all lights, and tightening all screws.
As an experienced driver who has owned multiple car models, I believe there's no fixed standard for the interval of major maintenance—it really depends on how you use your car. Based on my experience, it's generally recommended every 10,000 to 15,000 kilometers or once a year. Why this interval? Because major maintenance includes core services like oil changes, oil filter replacement, air filter replacement, along with inspections of brake pads, tires, and the cooling system. When I was younger and drove less, I once stretched it to 20,000 kilometers before servicing, which led to severe engine carbon buildup and costly repairs. Now, I regularly check the maintenance manual and adjust the interval based on driving conditions—for example, shortening it to every 12,000 kilometers if there's heavy city traffic and getting it checked at a professional shop. In short, don't slack off. Major maintenance prevents breakdowns, extends your car's lifespan, saves fuel costs, and above all, prioritizes safety.
