Should I service my vehicle when the maintenance time is due but the mileage hasn't been reached?
2 Answers
Maintenance is required. Here are the relevant considerations for vehicle maintenance: 1. Maintenance has a cycle: Vehicles are generally serviced at a fixed time interval or mileage interval, such as minor maintenance every six months or 5,000 kilometers. However, these intervals may not always be perfectly aligned. If the vehicle is used infrequently, it may not accumulate much mileage in six months. Conversely, if the vehicle is used extensively, it may cover tens of thousands of kilometers or more in six months. 2. Heavy vehicle usage: Naturally leads to wear and tear, so the maintenance intervals should be shorter. 3. Light vehicle usage: Maintenance is still necessary because infrequent use does not mean everything remains in good condition. From the moment engine oil is opened, it begins to interact with air and will gradually deteriorate even if unused. Similarly, rubber components like tires will age over time due to prolonged exposure to air.
After driving for so many years, the experience I've summed up is that maintenance must be based on whichever comes first—time or mileage. For example, engine oil oxidizes and deteriorates; even if you don't drive, its lubrication effectiveness significantly declines after six months. Impurities in the oil filter can settle and clog the oil passages over time, and brake fluid tends to absorb moisture, affecting braking performance. Last week, my neighbor's car developed sludge in the engine due to overdue maintenance, costing nearly ten thousand yuan in repairs. So don't hesitate over a few hundred bucks for maintenance—go when it's due. It protects the engine and avoids more expensive repairs.
