What are the free items for a car's first maintenance?
2 Answers
New car first maintenance items generally include changing the engine oil and oil filter. The first maintenance is usually scheduled at 5,000 kilometers or within 6 months, whichever comes first in terms of mileage or time. Since there is a period from the factory to the owner's hands, the engine oil can deteriorate over time, so early maintenance is required. Generally, 4S stores provide free first maintenance. Here are the relevant details: 1. Time for first maintenance: Excluding waiting time in line, normal first maintenance takes about one to two hours. 2. General maintenance items: Common maintenance items for vehicles include engine oil, oil filter, transmission oil, spark plugs, air conditioning filter, air filter, fuel filter, and brake fluid—eight items in total. The air filter and air conditioning filter can be replaced as needed based on usage. They can also be purchased online and replaced by yourself to save some costs.
Last year, I bought a new car and took it for its first free maintenance service, which felt like a great deal. The main services included an oil change and oil filter replacement—the most basic maintenance—and getting it done for free meant no worries about engine carbon buildup. They also checked tire pressure and wear, with free adjustments that saved me a lot of hassle. Additionally, inspecting brake fluid levels and brake pad thickness was standard, and some 4S shops even topped up windshield washer fluid or coolant for free to ensure safe vehicle operation. More importantly, there was a full vehicle inspection, such as a computer scan to check for fault codes, eliminating potential risks at no cost. I think this program is a perk offered by car manufacturers to attract customers, aiming to encourage owners to develop regular maintenance habits and choose their dealerships first for future repairs. I recommend new car owners take full advantage of this opportunity, book early, and avoid exceeding mileage or time limits. A regular maintenance service could cost hundreds or even over a thousand yuan if paid out of pocket, so getting it done for free is like saving on living expenses while also extending the car’s lifespan.
