Should I Still Go to the 4S Shop After the First Maintenance?

3 Answers
VonBrandon
07/29/25 11:35pm
After the first maintenance, if within the warranty period, it is still recommended to maintain the car at the 4S shop. Here is some relevant information: 1. Keep the relevant receipts: It is advisable to maintain the car at the 4S shop to avoid a lot of trouble if the car develops problems. However, if you choose to maintain it outside, it is recommended to select a regular and reliable repair shop with complete procedures and keep the relevant receipts. 2. Required documents: Business license of the repair shop, operating license for the repair industry, manufacturer's authorization certificate, settlement invoice for maintenance, proof of use and qualification certificate for maintenance parts, and the qualification certificate of the repair technician.
Was this review help?
9
3
Share
GriffinLee
08/16/25 2:33am
When I first bought a car, I also thought I could get it serviced anywhere after the initial maintenance, but it actually depends on the situation. If the car is still under warranty, manufacturers usually require regular maintenance at authorized 4S shops, otherwise they may refuse compensation if problems arise. I insisted on going to the 4S shop for three years back then—although it was a bit more expensive, the technicians were more professional and the inspections were more thorough, allowing potential issues to be detected early. After the warranty expired, I started using a neighborhood repair shop, where an oil change cost only half as much. I suggest new car owners avoid taking risks at least until the warranty period ends—otherwise, the cost of repairing an engine or transmission out of pocket can be shocking. This is a long-term investment; proper maintenance can extend the car's lifespan.
Was this review help?
12
1
Share
Expand All
ArthurLee
10/19/25 2:56am
I'm quite cost-conscious, so after the first maintenance, I asked around. The maintenance cost at a 4S shop is high, with engine oil and labor costing around 700-800 yuan, while a roadside shop might only charge 300-400 yuan. But remember, if you don’t go to a 4S shop during the warranty period, problems may arise—the manufacturer could refuse compensation by claiming you didn’t follow the required maintenance. My car has a five-year warranty, so for the first three years, I went to the 4S shop to play it safe. Later, for minor issues like replacing the cabin air filter, I either did it myself or went to a small workshop. I suggest checking the manual to confirm and avoid losing big for small savings. Also, when choosing a place outside the warranty, check the reputation—some small shops are quite reliable. The money saved can be used elsewhere, like travel.
Was this review help?
2
1
Share
Expand All
More Forum Discussions

How Long Does It Take to Get the Car Back After a Recall?

Automobile recall return time usually depends on the working hours required for the recall repair project. Here are some relevant extended information: 1. Vehicle recall: refers to a measure where car manufacturers collect vehicles with safety or technical defects and repair these defects. Although modern cars have a high degree of electrification and lower failure rates than before, because modern cars have more functions, the probability of problems has also increased significantly. Therefore, car recalls exist across all brands. 2. Compensation: After a vehicle recall, there is an impact on the owner's use and the brand's reputation. In order to salvage the brand's reputation, 4S shops usually provide certain compensations after a car recall, but these compensations are usually just 4S shop labor discount coupons, car wash and beauty coupons, etc.
7
4
Share

What to Do If Your Driver's License Has Been Overdue for Review for More Than One Year?

You need to pass the subject one exam to restore your original driving qualification, and you cannot drive a motor vehicle before restoration. Here are the relevant introductions about overdue review: 1. Notes: The applicant should take the road traffic safety laws, regulations, and related knowledge exam. Four photos of the motor vehicle driver. The original copy of the "Motor Vehicle Driver Physical Condition Certificate" issued by a medical institution. 2. Application materials: The applicant should take the road traffic safety laws, regulations, and related knowledge exam, commonly known as subject one, and pass the exam within two years after the cancellation of the motor vehicle driver's license.
13
5
Share

Why Does a Car Compressor Fail?

Introduction to the main causes of compressor damage: 1. The air conditioning system is not clean, and granular impurities are sucked into the compressor; 2. Excessive refrigerant or lubricating oil in the system causes "liquid hammer" damage to the compressor; 3. The compressor operates under long-term high temperature and high pressure harsh conditions; 4. Severe oil shortage in the compressor leads to excessive wear; 5. The electromagnetic clutch of the compressor slips, causing excessive friction temperature; 6. The power configuration of the compressor is too small. The following are the measures to avoid air conditioning compressor failures: 1. Avoid using the air conditioning system for a long time when the car is idling; 2. Ensure that the refrigerant is not overfilled during car air conditioning maintenance; 3. Do not continue to use the air conditioning system after any abnormality is detected.
9
5
Share

What are the symptoms of water ingress in the Magotan transmission?

The symptoms of water ingress in the Magotan transmission include experiencing slight jerking sensations during gear shifts while driving, which gradually intensify over time. Upon opening the coolant reservoir, oil stains may be observed inside. When draining the transmission fluid, it may appear entirely milky white. Below is an analysis of the causes of water ingress in the Magotan transmission: 1. Internal corrosion and leakage of the transmission cooler: Transmission fluid enters the cooling system and mixes with the coolant, causing the coolant to contaminate the transmission fluid and turn it milky white. The deteriorated transmission fluid leads to issues such as jerking and slipping during gear shifts. 2. Forced driving through water during the rainy season: Also known as wading, when the water depth reaches two-thirds of the wheel height, water can easily enter the transmission.
5
5
Share

What are the yellow dots on the car?

The yellow dots on the car are caused by metal dust adhering to the body and rusting over time. Methods to remove and prevent yellow dots: For small localized areas, use a damp towel to scrub firmly; if the damp towel doesn't work, purchase a cleaning wax, apply it to the towel, and gently wipe to remove the dots. When yellow dots appear in large areas, visit a car detailing shop for polishing and waxing to eliminate them. Regularly washing the car to remove dust, iron particles, and other debris from the paint surface can help protect the paint from corrosion to some extent. Reduce exposure to direct sunlight by parking indoors; if parking outdoors is unavoidable, install a car cover or canopy to shield the vehicle.
10
3
Share

What gear should an automatic transmission car be in when it enters water?

For an automatic transmission car entering shallow water, you can keep it in D gear; for deep water, shift to L gear. Below is a detailed introduction to the car gears: 1. R gear (Reverse gear): When this gear is engaged, the hydraulic system connects the reverse oil circuit, causing the drive wheels to rotate in reverse for backward movement. Do not forcibly shift to "R" gear when the vehicle is not completely stopped, as it may damage the transmission. 2. N gear (Neutral gear): When in neutral, the planetary gear system idles without power output. 3. D gear (Drive gear): When the gear shift lever is in this position, the hydraulic control system automatically connects the corresponding forward gear oil circuit based on throttle opening and vehicle speed signals, enabling automatic shifting with speed changes for automatic transmission functionality. 4. P gear (Parking gear): Uses a mechanical device to lock the rotating parts of the car's tires, preventing the vehicle from moving. 5. L gear (Low gear or Digital limit gear): The transmission can only switch between limited gears. "1" or "L" is the lowest gear of the transmission, typically used only when extremely strong power is required, such as climbing steep slopes or towing heavy vehicles.
10
2
Share
Cookie
Cookie Settings
© 2025 Servanan International Pte. Ltd.