Should I Service My Car Before or After a Long Trip?

[LorenzoDella]

Whether to service your car before or after a long trip depends on the mileage. Consider how many miles the long trip will add. If it significantly exceeds the recommended interval, it's advisable to service the car beforehand. If it's just a hundred or two miles over, you can service it after returning. Here’s some related information about car maintenance: 1. Introduction: Car maintenance refers to the preventive work of regularly inspecting, cleaning, supplying, lubricating, adjusting, or replacing certain parts of the car, also known as car servicing. 2. Maintenance Scope: Modern car maintenance mainly includes the engine system, transmission system, air conditioning system, cooling system, fuel system, power steering system, and more.

[MacCassandra]

As a seasoned driver who has learned the hard way from several roadside breakdowns, I firmly believe in getting a full check-up before embarking on a long-distance trip. I remember one summer vacation when I was in a rush to take my family to the beach—I ignored the fact that my car had just passed its maintenance interval. Mid-journey, the engine light came on. After pulling over, I found the engine oil was too thin and there were issues with the cooling system. The tow truck and repairs cost me over 2,000 RMB, ruining our holiday. On long highway drives, vehicles endure heavy loads, and factors like tire pressure, brake pad wear, and oil levels can all lead to failures. Spending less than an hour at the repair shop for a full inspection, oil change, and tire adjustment is a small investment for safety and savings. Don’t underestimate maintenance—a few hundred yuan can buy peace of mind and reliability for the entire trip. It’s not worth the risk. Make it a habit to do quick pre-trip checks to avoid being stranded and needing help on the road.

[Jon]

From the perspective of daily car usage, I'm a practical person who usually recommends getting maintenance done before a trip. Last time before a long drive, I hesitated, but considering that roadside repairs could double the cost and disrupt the journey, I decided to visit the dealership in advance. Changing the oil and checking the brakes—small expenses that prevent major troubles. During long-distance driving, the engine runs continuously, and a poorly maintained car is prone to overheating or breaking down. Post-maintenance, the car performs better and is slightly more fuel-efficient. Conversely, if the car has just been serviced and is in good condition, short trips can be taken without prior maintenance. Ultimately, it's about weighing costs: maintenance fees are fixed and manageable, while travel mishaps are unpredictable. Safety should always come first—better to be safe than sorry.

[OIvan]

I think it's definitely better to choose maintenance first. The car is your partner, and it needs to be kept in optimal condition at all times. Long-distance driving puts a lot of stress on the vehicle—tire wear, the cooling system, and brakes all need to be reliable. I make it a habit to do a quick self-check before trips: check the oil dipstick, inspect tire pressure, and test if the lights are working. If any issues are found, I fix them early to avoid calling a tow truck on the road, which wastes both time and money. A maintenance session isn't a big job; getting it done in half an hour gives me peace of mind before setting off.