Is the first car maintenance required within three months?
2 Answers
The first car maintenance is not required within three months; it is based on whichever comes first between three months or 5,000 kilometers. Precautions for the first car maintenance include: 1. Make an appointment in advance; 2. Bring essential items such as the maintenance manual and vehicle registration; 3. Record any faults or questions encountered during daily driving and inform the staff during the first maintenance registration. The first car maintenance items include: 1. Replace engine oil, oil filter, and clean the air filter; check if the generator belt and wiper blades are damaged; 2. Check if the levels of various fluids are normal; 3. Check if the tire pressure is normal and if there is any uneven wear, bulging, or damage; 4. Inspect the car chassis, including checking for scratches on the brake pads, brake discs, connecting rods, ball joints, and CV joints; 5. Check if all switches and lights in the car are functioning properly.
I also used to think that the first car maintenance had to be done within three months without fail, but later I learned that this isn’t a hard-and-fast rule. Most manufacturers do recommend the first service at three months or 5,000 kilometers, whichever comes first, mainly to change the oil and inspect critical components like the engine after the break-in period, preventing wear and tear from accumulating into bigger issues. However, this timeframe is clearly stated in the owner’s manual, with some brands like Toyota being more lenient (up to six months), while others like BMW are stricter. If you exceed the deadline by a week or two, there’s no need to panic, but consistently delaying it could void your warranty—my friend once had to pay out of pocket for minor engine repairs because he was two weeks late for his first service. In short, I strongly recommend following the manual’s schedule and confirming with your dealer—safety first, don’t delay.
