What Documents Are Needed for the First Maintenance of a New Car?
3 Answers
The items required for the first maintenance include: driver's license; maintenance manual; warranty manual; owner's ID card; vehicle's driving license; vehicle registration book; vehicle purchase invoice, to be taken to the designated first maintenance facility for the vehicle's first service. Important note: make an appointment with the 4S shop in advance. The first maintenance refers to the initial service after the new car has been driven, with the specific time varying by vehicle, generally after driving 5,000 kilometers or 6 months. The car needs to participate in the first maintenance in time, neither early nor delayed. The realization of the first maintenance marks the end of the car's break-in period, and it can now be driven according to the standard load and normal speed required by the vehicle. The time for the first maintenance is calculated from the date of picking up the car. There are two indicator values for the first maintenance time: mileage and time. Whichever indicator is met first will be taken as the standard. The first maintenance items include: oil change, oil filter replacement, cleaning the air filter, checking various oil levels for normalcy, inspecting the generator belt, checking for damage to the wiper blades, checking tire pressure for normalcy, and inspecting the tires for damage or bulges, etc. Time required: it takes about 2 hours to complete all the work. The most important part of the first maintenance for a new car is the oil and oil filter replacement. When changing the oil, the oil filter must be replaced together, and the choice of oil must refer to the "Vehicle Use and Maintenance Manual," as different vehicle models specify different oil grades. Maintenance precautions: Do not rinse the interior of the car body with water: Many people will organize and clean their cars themselves during holidays, rinsing the car body with water and scrubbing with a cloth. Here, it is important to remind that the interior of the car body does not need to be directly rinsed with water. If the floor mats are dirty, you can use a vacuum cleaner or take them out, brush and wash them with detergent, dry them, and then put them back. There are many through-holes in the grooves under the rubber mats on the floor of the driver's cabin. If water enters, it will not dry by wind but will flow through the holes to areas like the gearbox, causing erosion and corrosion. The better practice is to clean with a vacuum cleaner and then scrub with a cloth to prevent water accumulation. Do not mix different brands of antifreeze: When the antifreeze in the car is in short supply, it is recommended that you drain the antifreeze as soon as possible and add the same brand of antifreeze from the beginning. Because the chemical functions of antifreeze vary greatly by brand, and different brands use different corrosion inhibitors. Do not mix them to avoid unnecessary trouble. Do not lubricate tire bolts and nuts: When the bolts on a moving car rust, they are usually oiled to make them work properly again. To prevent the bolts and nuts on the wheels from rusting, some people apply lubricating oil to them, but this brings necessary risks to safe driving. When the car is driving at high speed, the bolts and nuts can be easily loosened or even fall off, leading to driving malfunctions.
When I first got my new car and went for the initial maintenance, I was quite nervous, afraid of forgetting something and wasting time. For the first service, you must bring the vehicle manual or maintenance booklet, which is key for recording service history; the vehicle license is necessary to prove ownership; the purchase invoice is also essential as it confirms the purchase date; and don’t forget your ID card, as it’s needed for identity verification. Some 4S shops may also check the warranty card, so it’s best to have everything ready. I once had a friend who forgot the manual and almost voided the warranty, so I recommend organizing a document folder a few days in advance and putting everything inside. Also, ask the 4S shop if an appointment is needed to avoid queuing. The first maintenance usually includes free oil and filter changes. Bringing all the documents ensures peace of mind and avoids multiple trips—taking some time to prepare is worth it.
I've driven several new cars and am very familiar with the first maintenance process. The key is to bring a few basic documents: don't forget the vehicle manual, it's the home base for maintenance records; the vehicle license is required to prove ownership; ID card is essential; the purchase invoice is sufficient for reference. Most dealerships don't check the warranty card, but it's good to have it just in case. Experience tells me it's best to call ahead to confirm the dealership's requirements, as some brands use apps for appointments where documents are directly uploaded electronically, saving you from bringing paper copies. The focus of the first maintenance is basic checks like oil changes and tire pressure adjustments. Having all the documents ready ensures a smooth process, so don't sweat the small stuff.
