
Car maintenance is typically performed every 5,000 to 10,000 kilometers, and the maintenance items include: 1. Replacement of engine oil, oil filter, cabin air filter, and engine air filter; 2. Inspection of coolant level, battery fluid level, and windshield washer fluid level; 3. Inspection of brake and clutch fluid level, and power steering fluid level; 4. Inspection of oil pipe connections for leaks; 5. Inspection of front and rear lights; 6. Inspection of tire pressure and wear, and tightening of screws to specified torque. 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. Its purpose is to keep the car clean, maintain normal technical conditions, eliminate potential hazards, prevent failures, slow down the deterioration process, and extend the service life.

I've been driving for over 20 years, and I believe maintenance depends on your driving habits. I make it a habit to do basic maintenance, changing the engine oil and oil filter every 5,000 kilometers, which is crucial for engine protection. At 20,000 kilometers, it's time to replace the air filter and cabin air filter, especially for someone like me who often drives on construction sites—without changing the filters, the car fills with dust. The 40,000-kilometer mark is a major service point, requiring fresh transmission fluid and brake fluid. The most commonly overlooked is tire rotation; I swap the front and rear tires every 8,000 kilometers, extending their life by another 20,000 kilometers. Always remember to check the brake pad thickness regularly—safety is something you can't afford to neglect.

I've noticed that maintenance cycles vary significantly between brands, but generally, you can refer to the manual. For new cars, the first service is best done within 5,000 kilometers, followed by oil and oil filter changes every 8,000 kilometers or so. The air filter should be replaced every 15,000 kilometers, especially in northern areas with heavy sand and dust. The 30,000-kilometer mark is a turning point, when you should check the spark plugs and belt wear. Last time, I didn't replace the belt in time, and it snapped on the road, costing me a fortune in towing fees. Coolant and brake fluid are best changed every two years, don't wait until 50,000 kilometers to address them.

Maintenance priorities depend on the service level. For minor maintenance, just change the engine oil and oil filter, which I do every 6,000 km. Medium maintenance at 20,000 km requires replacing both the air filter and cabin air filter - skimping here may lead to sinus issues. Major maintenance at 40,000 km focuses on transmission fluid and brake system fluids. I recommend tire rotation every 10,000 km to extend tire life. Pay special attention to the cooling system for older vehicles - I've seen numerous radiator burst cases. Regular inspection of chassis rubber bushings is essential.


