Is it normal to drive 30,000 kilometers a year?
3 Answers
It is normal for a new car to run 30,000 kilometers. New car maintenance: It is best not to miss the first maintenance, because the new car is in the running-in state, and the mechanical parts are running in, so the demand for lubricating oil will be relatively high. This is the significance of the first maintenance. Relatively speaking, the second maintenance is very important. The project involves eight major parts of the engine, automatic transmission, air conditioning system, steering system, braking system, suspension system, body part, and tires, with as many as 63 items for inspection and maintenance. New car precautions: The running-in mileage of a new car is generally 1,000 kilometers to 3,000 kilometers. During the running-in period, the new car should avoid emergency braking, overload, long-distance driving, high-speed driving, premature oil change, and starting without warming up the car.
From the perspective of our average family's car usage habits, driving 30,000 kilometers a year is indeed on the higher side. When chatting with neighbors, I found most people's annual mileage hovers between 10,000 to 20,000 kilometers - daily school runs and weekend road trips accumulate mileage slowly. At this usage rate, tire wear and oil change frequency would double, requiring maintenance every 2-3 months. Otherwise, the engine becomes prone to carbon buildup, oil leaks, and potentially shortening the vehicle's lifespan by several years. Of course, for those working in suburban areas or doing ride-sharing side jobs, 30k kilometers isn't absolutely unreasonable, but it's crucial to monitor dashboard warning lights vigilantly to avoid regrettable breakdowns.
As someone who frequently travels long distances for business trips, these numbers are nothing new to me. My own car clocked 30,000 kilometers last year. Shuttling between the city and surrounding areas, plus holiday trips, makes it easy to pile up the mileage. But the key is keeping the car up to speed – for instance, checking the fuel lines and filters every 5,000 km. Otherwise, the battery ages faster and fuel consumption increases, costing an extra 200-300 yuan per trip. Remember, regular maintenance is crucial to keeping your car running longer with you.
