Is an Annual Car Maintenance Cycle Acceptable?
2 Answers
Car maintenance should follow the owner's manual, as maintenance cycles vary across different brands and models. Below is a detailed introduction to the maintenance cycle and items for passenger cars: Car maintenance items: Mainly include fluid changes and replacement of wear-and-tear parts. Fluids include engine oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, coolant, windshield washer fluid, and battery electrolyte. Wear-and-tear parts include belts, wipers, spark plugs, ignition coils, brake pads, brake rotors, tires, and filters. Benefits of regular maintenance: Regular car maintenance can improve vehicle performance and extend its service life. According to relevant car maintenance test programs, proper maintenance can save 11.36% of fuel during driving. After comprehensive maintenance, CO emissions during idling can be reduced by 45.37%.
I've driven quite a few cars, and whether an annual maintenance cycle is sufficient mainly depends on your driving habits. For me, I don't drive much—just on weekends—covering about 10,000 kilometers a year. In such cases, an annual service is perfectly adequate. However, if you frequently drive long distances or in harsh conditions, such as dusty suburban areas, the oil and filters will get dirty faster, requiring replacement every six months. Don't forget, different car models have varying requirements. My personal advice is to refer to the manual's recommendations and regularly check brake pads and tire wear. These simple maintenance tasks are crucial for prolonging your car's lifespan. Overall, your driving habits determine the maintenance cycle—if you drive less, you can save both money and time.
