How Should Cars Be Maintained?
3 Answers
Car maintenance should include changing the oil and oil filter, washing the car regularly, and frequently checking the tire surface and pressure, oil level, coolant level, and brake fluid level. Car maintenance, also known as car servicing, refers to the preventive work of regularly inspecting, cleaning, replenishing, lubricating, adjusting, or replacing certain parts of the car. Car maintenance mainly includes the maintenance of the engine system, transmission system, air conditioning system, etc., with the purpose of keeping the car clean, maintaining normal technical conditions, eliminating potential hazards, preventing faults, and extending the service life. Car maintenance is divided into minor maintenance and major maintenance. Minor maintenance generally refers to the routine maintenance items performed at the manufacturer's specified time or mileage to ensure vehicle performance, mainly including oil and oil filter replacement. Major maintenance refers to the routine maintenance performed at the manufacturer's specified time or mileage, which includes replacing the oil, oil filter, air filter, and fuel filter.
My car still looks brand new after ten years, all thanks to this maintenance routine. Changing the engine oil is something you can't slack on—full synthetic oil should be changed every 8,000 km, or as early as 6,000 km if road conditions are poor. The three filters are easy to replace: the air filter can be changed by just popping open the hood, costing only 20 yuan. Change the cabin air filter while you're at it to keep the car smelling fresh. Brake pads must be replaced if they're thinner than a coin's edge, and tire pressure should be checked monthly—if you notice uneven wear, get a wheel alignment immediately. Before winter, check the antifreeze's freezing point, switch to winter-grade windshield washer fluid, and apply a bit of grease to the battery terminals to prevent oxidation. Stick to these basics, and even the repair shop owner will sigh when they see me.
The most important thing about maintenance is not to wait until something breaks! I keep the owner's manual in the glove compartment to check the maintenance schedule anytime. Every 5,000 kilometers, I take the manual to the shop for minor maintenance—changing the engine oil and filter costs just over 300 yuan. Check the brake fluid's moisture content every six months; if the brake pedal feels spongy, it's time for a replacement. Clean the air conditioning ducts every spring—just buy a foam spray for 30 yuan and do it yourself. After heavy summer rains, remember to clear the sunroof drainage holes—a simple wire poke will do. Last time, I saw the neighbor's car floor soaked because leaves clogged the drains. Don’t just wash the exterior—use a vacuum monthly to clean between seat crevices. Crumbs attract mice, and chewed wires would be disastrous.
