What Are the Contents of Car Maintenance?

[MacMartin]

Car maintenance includes: replacement of engine oil and oil filter, air filter, gasoline filter, and pollen filter; maintenance and replacement of spark plugs; inspection and maintenance of systems such as transmission oil. 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. It should be noted that the air filter and cabin air filter should be inspected first to determine if replacement is necessary. If they are not severely dirty, they can be cleaned and reused; if they are very dirty, they must be replaced promptly. The function of the air filter is to filter the air before it enters the cylinder, removing impurities, dust, sand, and other foreign particles.

[MaddoxAnn]

Last time my friend's car broke down halfway, he regretted not doing regular maintenance. Honestly, maintenance is about keeping your car from throwing tantrums: you must change the engine oil and filter every 5,000 to 10,000 km—it's like giving the heart a blood transfusion; check tires monthly for bulges or cracks, as low pressure wastes fuel and risks blowouts; worn brake pads will squeak—replace them immediately; change the air filter twice a year, or the engine can't breathe. Easily forgotten items: coolant every two years to prevent overheating, brake fluid absorbs moisture and fails, and oxidized battery terminals can be cleaned with boiling water. DIY saves money—replacing a cabin air filter takes just five minutes!

[VonAaron]

As a female car owner, I'm most afraid of encountering issues on the road. Maintenance can be divided into basic and major services: Basic items can be checked monthly by yourself, such as whether all lights are working, if the wipers are clearing properly, and remembering to top up the windshield washer fluid. Professional inspections are needed every six months, focusing on whether there are oil leaks from the chassis, if the brake fluid's water content exceeds standards, and whether the air conditioning cooling is strong enough—these directly relate to safety. At the shop, maintenance will include wheel alignment to prevent the steering from pulling to one side; cleaning carbon deposits can save you 10% on fuel costs. Here's a tip: take a photo of the mileage before maintenance to prevent being overcharged on mileage. Used cars require even more frequent maintenance—my family's old car has been maintained regularly for eight years without major repairs.

[StFrank]

I've worked in a repair shop for seven years, so here's some practical advice. The three key points of maintenance are: oil, water, and electricity! Choose engine oil based on viscosity—Japanese cars typically use 0W-20, while German cars often use 5W-40. Transmission fluid must be changed at 60,000 kilometers; waiting until slippage occurs is too late. Electrical system maintenance is where you're easily scammed—just use a battery tester to check health and clean rust off the connectors. Pay special attention to chassis components: cracked control arm bushings make the whole car shake, and loose ball joints clunk over bumps. Nowadays, visual reports are trending—ask the mechanic to use a borescope to photograph carbon buildup in the cylinders when removing spark plugs. That's way more reliable than listening to sales pitches. Remember! Anyone who just changes the oil without cleaning the oil passages is cutting corners.

[Barnes]

Those who frequently drive long distances understand the importance of maintenance best. I always get a tire rotation and wheel balancing every 20,000 kilometers—vibrations at high speeds are terrifying. A thorough brake system maintenance is a must; poorly lubricated caliper pins can cause uneven wear. For those who drive in mountainous areas often: manual transmission cars should have their clutch three-piece set replaced at 80,000 kilometers, while automatic transmissions should have their radiator checked. If you've installed a roof box, inspect the sunroof drainage holes—last time mine got clogged, I could've raised fish inside the car! Modified cars require even more attention: adjust the camber angle for coilover suspensions, and for cars with ECU tunes, change to full synthetic oil every 5,000 kilometers. Check the spare tire pressure every six months—finding it flat when you have a blowout is pure despair.

[SanAthena]

From a tech-savvy perspective, maintenance hinges on data monitoring. Reading fault codes via OBD is just the basics; regularly recording the engine oil life index (displayed in newer models) is crucial. For frequent short-distance driving, measure fuel dilution rates—gasoline mixed in oil corrodes engines. Monitor cooling system pH levels; acidification can damage radiators. Modern high-end maintenance employs fluid analyzers: brake fluid is safe only when water content ≤ 3%, while excessive metal particles in transmission fluid signal wear. Tire care goes beyond inflation—use infrared thermometers to detect tread temperature differences and diagnose alignment issues. Tracking these metrics yourself can save major repair costs!