What are the maintenance intervals and items for sedans?
4 Answers
Minor maintenance is typically performed every 5,000 to 10,000 kilometers and mainly includes changing the engine oil and oil filter. Major maintenance is carried out every 20,000 to 40,000 kilometers, involving more components than minor maintenance, such as replacing the engine oil, oil filter, air filter, fuel filter, and other routine maintenance items. 1. Minor Maintenance: (1) Engine oil is the lubricant for engine operation. It plays a crucial role in lubricating, cleaning, cooling, sealing, and reducing wear on the engine. It significantly reduces wear on engine components and extends their service life. (2) The oil filter is the component that filters the engine oil. Engine oil contains a certain amount of gum, impurities, water, and additives. During engine operation, metal shavings from friction between components, impurities from inhaled air, and oil oxides are all filtered by the oil filter. If the oil is not filtered and directly enters the oil circulation system, it will adversely affect the engine's performance and lifespan. 2. Major Maintenance: (1) The air filter ensures that the engine, which requires a large amount of air during operation, receives clean air. Without filtration, dust in the air can accelerate wear on the piston group and cylinder. Larger particles entering between the piston and cylinder can cause severe "cylinder scoring." The air filter's role is to remove dust and particles from the air, ensuring that sufficient, clean air enters the cylinder. (2) The fuel filter provides clean fuel to the engine by filtering out water and impurities from the gasoline. This optimizes engine performance and offers the best protection for the engine.
As for car maintenance, I've been driving for almost ten years, so let me share some experience. Minor maintenance should be done every 5,000-10,000 kilometers or every six months, mainly changing the engine oil and oil filter, checking tire pressure and brake pad thickness, and also inspecting wear-prone parts like lights and wipers. Major maintenance requires a comprehensive overhaul every two years or 40,000 kilometers, replacing air filters, cabin air filters, and spark plugs when necessary, as well as timely replacement of fluids like brake fluid and coolant. Special reminder: Transmission fluid must be changed at 60,000 kilometers, or the repair costs will really hurt. When washing your car, pay extra attention to any oil leaks under the chassis and listen for abnormal engine sounds. These small habits can keep your beloved car running smoothly for several more years.
Vehicle value retention hinges on maintenance, which I prioritize. The first service at 5,000 km is mandatory, followed by annual or 10,000-km intervals focusing on full synthetic oil and triple filter changes. At 20,000 km, brake system inspection is critical; 40,000 km demands comprehensive servicing: transmission fluid replacement, spark plug renewal, and throttle body cleaning. Rotate tires every 20,000 km, replace entirely at 50,000 km. Don't neglect interior care—condition leather seats quarterly and clean sunroof tracks monthly. Upgrading to LED lighting reduces electrical load, while regular ceramic coating protects paintwork. Complete maintenance records can boost used car value by 15%, making this investment worthwhile.
Maintenance is actually quite simple. I always focus on these items. Basic maintenance every six months: change engine oil and oil filter, check battery voltage, and inspect tire tread depth (replace immediately if below 1.6mm). Advanced maintenance depends on mileage: replace cabin air filter and engine air filter every 20,000 km, and change brake fluid and coolant every 40,000 km. Easily overlooked items include power steering fluid replacement every 3 years and wiper blade rubber replacement every six months. What you can do yourself: check the dipstick color weekly (replace if it turns black) and clean AC vents monthly. Keeping a tire pressure monitor is very practical as it provides timely warnings for sudden air leaks. Remember, the maintenance schedule recommended in your manual is the most reliable—don't fall for unnecessary upsells from roadside shops.
