Is It Mandatory to Service the Car After Driving 5,000 Kilometers?
2 Answers
Driving 5,000 kilometers does not necessarily require servicing, as it depends on the condition of the vehicle. Below are relevant details about vehicle maintenance: 1. Maintenance Schedule: The first service for a car should be conducted within 5,000 kilometers or three months (whichever comes first), followed by subsequent services every 5,000 kilometers or six months. 2. Maintenance Items: Common maintenance items for general vehicles include engine oil, oil filter, transmission fluid, spark plugs, cabin air filter, engine air filter, fuel filter, and brake fluid—totaling eight items. 3. Specific Maintenance Intervals: Mineral-based engine oil should be replaced every 5,000 kilometers or six months; synthetic oil should be replaced every 8,000–10,000 kilometers or every eight months. Manual transmission fluid is typically replaced every two years or 60,000 kilometers; automatic transmission fluid is usually replaced every 60,000–120,000 kilometers. Power steering fluid is generally replaced every two years or 40,000 kilometers, with regular checks for any shortages and timely top-ups. Brake fluid is typically replaced every two years or 40,000 kilometers. The engine air filter replacement cycle is one year or 10,000 kilometers, adjustable based on driving conditions. The built-in fuel filter should be replaced every five years or 100,000 kilometers, while the external fuel filter requires replacement every two years. Brake pads usually need replacement around every 30,000 kilometers.
As a veteran driver with 20 years of experience, I think the 5,000 km maintenance recommendation depends on specific circumstances. My old German car's manual states a 10,000 km service interval, but the dealership always urges me to come in at 5,000 km. Later, I asked a mechanic friend and learned that the key factor is the type of oil used. Mineral oil indeed requires more frequent changes, needing maintenance around 5,000 km; semi-synthetic can last 7,000-8,000 km; while full synthetic can easily go over 10,000 km. Additionally, daily driving conditions matter - like my situation in northern China with cold winters and poor roads, or frequent driving on dusty construction sites, does warrant earlier maintenance. Honestly, there's no need to be intimidated by dealership scare tactics - following the manual is always correct.
