What are the main aspects of car maintenance?

[LaAndrew]

Car maintenance primarily involves the five oils, three waters, and tires. The five oils refer to gasoline, engine oil, transmission oil, power steering oil, and brake fluid. The three waters refer to coolant, windshield washer fluid, and battery water. 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. The benefits of maintenance include: 1. Ensuring the vehicle is in excellent performance condition; 2. Improving the vehicle's efficiency and reducing the wear of its parts and tires; 3. Enhancing driving safety; 4. Avoiding potential hazards caused by vehicle issues; 5. Reducing noise and environmental pollution; 6. Keeping the vehicle's appearance clean and preventing damage.

[IsaacRose]

When I first bought a car, I was also confused about what maintenance entailed, until an experienced mechanic enlightened me: the core is all about the three fluids—oil, water, and electricity! Engine oil needs to be changed every 5,000 to 6,000 kilometers, just like our blood needs renewal. Coolant and brake fluid should be replaced every two years; otherwise, overheating in summer or spongy brakes in winter can be extremely dangerous. Small items like air filters and cabin air filters, which cost only twenty or thirty bucks, should be replaced when dirty—don’t hesitate. And don’t forget about the four 'feet'—tires need regular stone removal and crack checks. Rotating their positions can extend tire life by 20,000 kilometers. Lastly, make sure the mechanic scans for trouble codes with a computer—some hidden issues can be detected faster than dashboard warnings.

[DamianRose]

As a seasoned driver with over 300,000 kilometers of experience, I believe car maintenance can be divided into visible and invisible aspects. Visible maintenance includes tasks like changing engine oil and filters, checking tire pressure, and inspecting wiper blades for wear. The invisible aspects are more nuanced—transmission fluid must be changed every 60,000 kilometers, or else gear-shifting jerks will make you question your life. Replace brake discs when their thickness drops to 3mm; waiting until metal-on-metal sounds appear will cost you several times more. Even if your battery can start the engine, after three years it could fail anytime—best to test its health before winter. If you notice difficulty igniting or a sudden spike in fuel consumption, replace the spark plugs—last time I changed mine, I gained an extra 80 kilometers per tank!