Is the first maintenance at 5,000 kilometers or 3,000 kilometers?
3 Answers
For a car's first maintenance, you can service it at 3,000 kilometers, but it must be done by 5,000 kilometers. Details are as follows: Meaning of car maintenance: Car maintenance refers to the preventive work of regularly inspecting, cleaning, supplying, lubricating, adjusting, or replacing certain parts of the car's related components, also known as car upkeep. Currently, car maintenance mainly includes the maintenance scope of the engine system, transmission system, air conditioning system, cooling system, fuel system, power steering system, etc. Purpose of car maintenance: The goal of car maintenance is to keep the vehicle clean and in normal technical condition, eliminate hidden dangers, prevent faults, slow down the deterioration process, and extend the service life.
I remember a funny story about my first car maintenance years ago. The 4S dealership kept insisting I needed to do it at 3,000 km, claiming the new engine was too sensitive and delaying oil change would damage it. When I checked the manual, it clearly stated the first maintenance should be at 5,000 km - that's when I realized they just wanted to make extra money. Generally speaking, 5,000 km is the universal standard. Car manufacturers design engines considering the break-in period, where new parts generate metal debris through friction, making timely maintenance safest. However, some vehicles like certain sports cars or German brands might specify 3,000 km in their manuals, given their high-revving engines endure greater stress. Since I often drive in city traffic where oil degrades faster, I usually do mine around 4,000 km. Don't listen to random advice - always follow your manual. This saves unnecessary expenses while properly protecting your beloved car, giving you greater peace of mind when driving.
As someone who loves delving into car performance, I pay close attention to the first service mileage. The initial break-in period for a new car engine is crucial, as metal particle buildup can easily lead to wear, so 5,000 kilometers is typically the optimal point. However, it depends on the situation: if your car has a turbocharger or sport tuning, the manual might recommend the first service at 3,000 kilometers because oil protection degrades faster under high temperatures. I've tried different car models—for regular family sedans, 5,000 kilometers is sufficient, and using synthetic oil is even better, extending the maintenance interval. If you mostly drive short distances in the city, oil contamination happens faster, so doing it slightly earlier is wiser. In short, don't delay too long—ensuring a clean engine during the first service will make subsequent driving smoother and extend the engine's lifespan.
