How often should maintenance be performed after a car's warranty expires?
3 Answers
After a car's warranty expires, it is recommended to choose a local authorized repair shop for maintenance. Here are two key points regarding maintenance: 1. Introduction one: Car maintenance refers to the preventive work of regularly inspecting, cleaning, replenishing, lubricating, adjusting, or replacing certain parts of the car, also known as car servicing. 2. Introduction two: Car maintenance can include major maintenance and minor maintenance. Major maintenance is based on minor maintenance. In addition to engine oil and oil filters, the products replaced also include air filter elements and fuel filter elements.
It depends on your car's condition and driving habits. After the warranty period, I follow the maintenance intervals recommended in the manual. Most cars suggest an inspection every 5,000 to 10,000 kilometers or every six months to a year. Since I mostly drive in urban conditions, I usually change the engine oil and oil filter every 8,000 kilometers. Pay special attention to wear-and-tear parts like tires and brake pads. Last time, my brakes made strange noises, and the mechanic said it would be dangerous if they wore down further. After the warranty, buying your own supplies and finding a reliable small shop can save you 30% on costs, but never extend the maintenance cycle just to save money. My neighbor delayed changing the oil until 15,000 kilometers, which resulted in engine cylinder scoring and costly repairs.
My experience is that post-warranty maintenance shouldn't be rigid—it depends on the vehicle's age and usage. My car is eight years old now, and I make sure to get it inspected every six months. Even if I don't drive much, I still change the oil to prevent fluid degradation and part corrosion. If the mileage exceeds 5,000 km, pay attention to dashboard warnings—last time, a coolant leak nearly left me stranded on the road. I recommend developing the habit of checking tire pressure and lights every time you wash your car; such small things can prevent major issues. It's best to use full synthetic oil—it's more expensive but can extend the engine's lifespan by several years. Don't fall for extra services pushed by dealerships; stick to the manual's basic maintenance schedule.
