Is a 5,000-kilometer maintenance mandatory for cars?
2 Answers
Car maintenance at 5,000 kilometers is essential. The maintenance intervals for engine oil and oil filters: approximately every 5,000 kilometers. Below are relevant details about car maintenance: 1. Use lubricating oil of appropriate quality grade: For gasoline engines, choose SD--SF grade gasoline engine oil based on the additional equipment of the intake and exhaust systems and usage conditions; for diesel engines, select CB--CD grade diesel engine oil according to mechanical load, with the selection standard not lower than the manufacturer's specified requirements. 2. Regularly change the engine oil and filter: The quality of any grade of lubricating oil will change during use. After a certain mileage, its performance deteriorates, leading to various engine issues. To avoid malfunctions, change the oil regularly based on usage conditions. 3. Maintain good crankcase ventilation: Most gasoline engines now come equipped with a PCV valve to facilitate engine ventilation. However, contaminants from blow-by gases can accumulate around the PCV valve, potentially causing it to clog.
After driving for over a decade, I've realized that 5,000-km maintenance isn't mandatory. Many modern vehicle manuals now recommend 7,500 or even 10,000-km intervals, especially with synthetic oil that lasts longer. Having owned several cars primarily used for short urban commutes (where oil degrades faster), I typically inspect around 7,000-8,000 km. For frequent highway/long-distance driving, 10,000-km maintenance works fine. The key is consulting your owner's manual—it specifies intervals based on your vehicle's engineering. While regular maintenance matters, avoid overspending by tailoring schedules to actual driving conditions. Those savings can fund other car expenses.
