Is Earlier First Car Maintenance Better?
2 Answers
Earlier first car maintenance is not necessarily better. Generally, maintenance is recommended at three months or 5,000 kilometers. Here is some extended information about first maintenance: 1. Content of minor maintenance: Minor maintenance generally refers to the routine maintenance items performed at the manufacturer's specified time or mileage to ensure vehicle performance. It mainly includes changing the engine oil and oil filter. 2. Content of major maintenance: Major maintenance refers to the routine maintenance performed at the manufacturer's specified time or mileage, which includes changing the engine oil, oil filter, air filter, and fuel filter. In addition to changing the engine oil and oil filter, major maintenance also includes the air filter and fuel filter.
I've worked at a 4S dealership for many years and noticed many new car owners have this misconception. In fact, doing the first maintenance too early is completely unnecessary. New cars come with special break-in additives in the factory oil, and replacing it prematurely just wastes resources. The manufacturer's recommended first maintenance interval (usually around 5,000 km or 6 months for most vehicles) is rigorously tested to match the engine's optimal break-in period. Overly early maintenance not only costs extra money but may also lead mechanics to misjudge component conditions. Of course, delaying too long isn't good either - exceeding the specified mileage could affect warranty coverage. My advice is to simply check the recommended timing in your maintenance manual rather than listening to people pushing for premature service.