Should I Still Go to a 4S Shop for Maintenance After Two Years of Car Ownership?
2 Answers
During the three-year warranty period, it is recommended to have maintenance done at a 4S shop. Although the cost of maintenance outside a 4S shop is cheaper, please note that if the car does not undergo scheduled maintenance at a 4S shop during the warranty period, the warranty is automatically forfeited. In case of any issues with the car later, the 4S shop will not provide warranty service. Below is an introduction to car maintenance: 1. Introduction to car maintenance: Car maintenance refers to the preventive work of regularly inspecting, cleaning, replenishing, lubricating, adjusting, or replacing certain parts of the car, also known as car servicing. 2. Scope of car maintenance: Modern car maintenance mainly includes the engine system (engine), transmission system, air conditioning system, cooling system, fuel system, power steering system, etc. 3. Purpose of car maintenance: The purpose of car maintenance is to keep the car clean, in normal technical condition, eliminate potential hazards, prevent faults, slow down the deterioration process, and extend the service life.
I've been driving this car for two years and always take it to the 4S shop for maintenance. It's not that I have money to burn. The main reason is that the car is still under warranty, and if something goes wrong at a small outside shop, the manufacturer might refuse to honor the warranty. Last time, my neighbor changed the engine oil at an outside shop, and the engine started making strange noises. The 4S shop directly refused the claim due to incomplete maintenance records, costing him 8,000 yuan in repairs for nothing. However, 4S shops are indeed expensive. A basic oil and filter change costs 1,200 yuan, twice as much as outside shops. If you know a reliable mechanic at a repair shop and use the same grade of full synthetic oil, saving that money for gas is more practical. Once the three-year warranty period is over, I'll definitely switch to my regular auto repair shop.
