
The second maintenance items for a car include changing the engine oil, replacing the oil filter, replacing the air filter, and replacing the cabin air filter, etc. Car maintenance is actually quite simple; it mainly involves the replacement of various fluids and wear-prone components. The fluids in a car include engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and transmission fluid, among others. The wear-prone components on a car include belts, various filters, wiper blades, tires, brake pads, brake rotors, spark plugs, ignition coils, etc. During maintenance, the focus is on replacing these fluids and wear-prone components, as well as inspecting other parts that are prone to wear. Spark plugs also need to be replaced regularly, as prolonged use without replacement may affect the engine's performance.

I just had my car's second maintenance, which was basically a routine service package. The most crucial part was changing the engine oil and oil filter, which is like giving the engine a deep cleanse. The air filter also needs to be replaced or cleaned depending on its condition, otherwise the engine will struggle to breathe. I asked the mechanic to measure the brake pad thickness and found out the front ones were already half-worn! Adjusting the tire pressure to 2.5bar is most fuel-efficient, and they also did a tire rotation for more even wear. All fluids were checked, with the coolant topped up to the middle line. If the steering feels heavier, it might be a power steering fluid issue that needs special attention. The chassis should be lifted for thorough inspection - my exhaust pipe hanger was loose last time. The cabin air filter often gets overlooked; when opened, it was full of leaves, and after replacement, the AC airflow became noticeably cleaner. The whole process took two hours, and the car felt more responsive when driving afterward.

Last month during the second maintenance, I specifically consulted a senior technician. The second maintenance is essentially a full vehicle health checkup. The mandatory items include engine oil and filter replacement, which is like giving the heart a blood transfusion. Last time, my car was found with coolant below the minimum level, and topping it up prevented overheating risks. The brake system was a key inspection point—they used calipers to measure the brake pad thickness, and I personally saw that the rear wheels still had 5mm of life left. Three aspects of the tires were checked: tire pressure, tread wear, and stone entrapment. Adjusting the tire pressure can reduce fuel consumption by 3%. The lighting test was practical; I didn’t even know one of the reverse lights was out. The undercarriage inspection revealed a loose battery bracket, which was tightened in time to avoid short circuits from bumps. The cabin air filter is recommended to be replaced annually, especially in spring when pollen is abundant. Finally, a full vehicle computer scan cleared two false alarm codes. The total cost was over 600, but catching issues early is more cost-effective.

The second maintenance is basically a routine service plus a full vehicle inspection. From my experience, the core consists of three main tasks: changing the engine oil and oil filter, inspecting the air filter, and tire maintenance. It's crucial to choose the right oil grade; I use 5W-30 full synthetic. Replace the air filter if it's dirty—the dealership charges 120 yuan, but you can save half by doing it yourself. Tire balancing is a must; the mechanic used balancing weights to eliminate steering wheel vibration at 60 mph. Don’t skip the brake pad inspection—my rear brake discs had visible grooves. Checking all fluids is highly practical; it helped me discover a clogged windshield washer nozzle and insufficient antifreeze freezing point. Finally, ask the mechanic to top up the spare tire pressure—once, I had a flat and found the spare was flat too. The whole process took 45 minutes, and the basic service plus labor cost just over 400 yuan.

My MPV just had its second maintenance, and family travel vehicles require extra attention. The core tasks included replacing the semi-synthetic oil and oil filter, both specified in the maintenance manual. I specifically asked the mechanic to inspect the electrical connectors under the third-row seats to prevent kids from kicking them loose. The brake system inspection was the top priority since the whole family's safety depends on it – both front and rear brake discs underwent thickness measurements. A nail causing slow air leakage was found in a tire, so we patched it in advance to avoid roadside breakdowns. The cabin air filter was upgraded to activated charcoal, essential for our allergy-prone child. The mechanic also taught me how to check the coolant reservoir's MAX line, and we added concentrate to the windshield washer fluid. During the undercarriage inspection, two missing skid plate screws were discovered and promptly replaced. Post-maintenance, fuel consumption dropped noticeably from 11L/100km to 10.3L/100km.


