Is it necessary to perform car maintenance every 5,000 kilometers?
3 Answers
Car maintenance every 5,000 kilometers is essential. The following introduces the items involved in car maintenance and the benefits of regular maintenance. Car maintenance items: Mainly include replacing fluids and wear-prone parts. Fluids include engine oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, coolant, windshield washer fluid, and battery electrolyte. Wear-prone 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%.
Actually, cars don't necessarily require maintenance every 5,000 kilometers. I think this notion is somewhat outdated. Older vehicles did recommend such frequent intervals, but with many modern cars using synthetic oil and improvements in manufacturing technology, most manuals now suggest oil changes between 7,500 to 15,000 kilometers. Take my own car for example—the manual states maintenance is only needed every 12,000 kilometers, and when I checked the oil quality, it was still quite clean. It really depends on your driving habits. If you're constantly stuck in city traffic with high engine load, you might need to service it a bit earlier. But if you do mostly highway driving, extending the interval is perfectly fine. Don't waste money unnecessarily—just follow the manual for the most reliable, cost-effective, and eco-friendly approach. I recommend developing a habit of regular vehicle checks instead of being misled by dealerships into over-maintenance, which wastes resources and isn't beneficial for long-term engine health. Remember, safety comes first, but that doesn't mean unnecessary hassle.
As a veteran driver with over a decade of experience, I used to blindly follow the 5,000-km maintenance rule in my younger days, only to realize something was off within a few years. My new car, purchased less than three years prior, had already cost me a fortune in maintenance fees. It wasn't until I checked the manual that I understood modern engine designs have been optimized, with full synthetic oil capable of lasting over 10,000 km. My advice: if your car is in good condition and you mostly drive on smooth roads, like long highway trips, there's absolutely no need for 5,000-km intervals. But for older vehicles or frequent off-road driving on muddy terrain, early checks on oil and filters are essential. Money-saving tip: learn to check the oil dipstick yourself—only act when the color darkens or there's an odd smell. Over-maintenance can actually accelerate part wear; I've seen friends' cars develop issues from excessive servicing. The key is spending wisely on essentials while sticking to regular maintenance.
