What are the maintenance items for a car?
2 Answers
Car maintenance items are divided into major maintenance and minor maintenance. The main items for minor maintenance include changing the engine oil and oil filter; major maintenance involves replacing parts such as the engine oil filter, air filter, and cabin air filter. Below are the specific details: 1. Minor maintenance generally refers to the routine maintenance performed after a car has traveled a certain distance, as specified by the manufacturer in terms of time or mileage, to ensure vehicle performance. It mainly includes changing the engine oil and oil filter. The timing for minor maintenance depends on the effective duration or mileage of the engine oil and oil filter used. The validity periods of mineral oil, semi-synthetic oil, and full-synthetic oil vary by brand and grade, so follow the manufacturer's recommendations. Oil filters are generally categorized into standard and long-life types. Standard oil filters are replaced along with the engine oil, while long-life oil filters have a longer service life. The oil filter is a component that filters the engine oil. Engine oil contains a certain amount of gum, impurities, water, and additives. During engine operation, the oil filter removes metal particles from friction between parts, impurities from the intake air, and oil oxidation products. 2. Major maintenance refers to the routine maintenance performed at the manufacturer-specified time or mileage, which includes replacing the engine oil, oil filter, air filter, and fuel filter. Major maintenance builds upon minor maintenance, and these two types of maintenance are usually performed alternately. The intervals vary by car brand, so follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
There are quite a few car maintenance items, and I think the core ones include changing the engine oil and oil filter, which is very important to keep the engine running smoothly. I usually change them every 5,000 to 10,000 kilometers. Next is checking the tires—pressure that's too high or too low is bad, as it affects handling and safety. If the wear is uneven, a wheel alignment is needed. The braking system also needs attention; replace the brake pads if they're worn thin and check the brake fluid for moisture. Dirty air filters and cabin air filters can affect the air quality inside the car, so I often replace them myself—it's simple and saves money. Fluids like coolant, transmission fluid, and power steering fluid shouldn’t be overlooked either; check their levels and condition regularly. For the battery, keep the terminals clean to avoid poor contact and starting issues. Lighting checks include ensuring the headlights, taillights, and turn signals are working. Maintenance isn’t something to slack on—doing it on time extends the car’s lifespan, ensures safe driving, saves fuel costs, and prevents costly major repairs later.
