How Should Cars Be Maintained?

[VanFrank]

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.

[DeJocelyn]

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.

[McLola]

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.

[DiAyla]

Three major maintenance tips to save hassle and money: Check oil level with dipstick and coolant level weekly, replace if discolored; inspect air filter monthly for dirt, especially prone to clogging during willow catkin season; have a mechanic lift the car quarterly to check for cracked ball joint boots. Choose oil viscosity as per manual—0W-20 for Japanese cars, 5W-40 for German models, never mix. Be cautious with batteries after three years—dimming headlights during start-stop is a warning sign. Don't ignore squeaky wipers, rubber strips can be replaced in seconds. Tire pressure monitors are more accurate than car washes—pressure drops 0.1bar per 10°C temperature drop, top up air when autumn comes.

[RobertFitz]

Budget-Savvy Maintenance Tips: Choose entry-level full synthetic oil from major brands, often on sale for 100+ yuan per barrel. Buy Mann air filters and replace them yourself to save 50 yuan in labor costs. Adjust maintenance intervals based on road conditions - 10,000 km is fine for mostly highway driving, reduce to 7,000 km for frequent traffic jams. Check windshield washer fluid level during car washes - water mixed with detergent won't clean properly. Rotate tires every 20,000 km to even out wear and extend tire life by two years. Don't insist on OEM brake pads - domestic ceramic pads are affordable and wear-resistant. Buy wiper blades on Pinduoduo (10 yuan for three pairs), replacing them every three months won't break the bank. Replace fuel filters at 60,000 km, or delay to 80,000 km if fuel tank is clean.

[DiGeorge]

For new cars, don't exceed 3 months for the first maintenance, and keep an eye on free items at the 4S dealership. When buying used cars, replace all fluids first, don't trust the previous owner's maintenance records. For older cars, focus on checking rubber components - hoses and belts over 10 years old may burst anytime. Modified cars need wiring protection - self-installed daytime running lights may blow fuses easily. EV maintenance is simpler but don't forget gear oil changes - mandatory every 2 years/40,000 km. Replace cabin air filters more frequently for EVs - dust in battery cooling vents affects lifespan. For long-term parked vehicles, disconnect battery cables and inflate tires to 3.0 bar to prevent deformation. Lift wiper blades to prevent rubber adhesion, and place charcoal bags inside to prevent musty odors.