What does AB maintenance mean?
3 Answers
B maintenance is the major maintenance for vehicles, while A maintenance is commonly referred to as minor maintenance. Minor maintenance is required every 5,000 to 7,500 kilometers or every 6 months. Major maintenance is performed every 40,000 kilometers. At the 20,000-kilometer mark, maintenance includes replacing the engine oil, oil filter, air filter, and cabin air filter, along with some routine inspections. Therefore, B maintenance includes A maintenance, and typically, AB maintenance is performed alternately. Generally, maintenance at 5,000 kilometers includes: replacing engine oil and the oil filter, cleaning the air filter; checking the battery condition and the horn and lighting systems; inspecting the coolant level and freezing point, and cleaning the radiator; checking the brake system for leaks and ensuring the brake pads are within the specified thickness; examining engine belt wear and adjusting belt tension; inspecting the transmission, drive shaft, and universal joint boots for leaks or damage. Engine oil: This is the lubricating oil for engine operation. It lubricates, cleans, cools, seals, and reduces friction in the engine. It plays a crucial role in reducing wear on engine components and extending their lifespan. Oil filter: This component filters the engine oil. Engine oil contains a certain amount of gums, impurities, moisture, and additives. During engine operation, metal shavings from friction, airborne impurities, and oil oxidation products are all filtered by the oil filter. If the oil is not filtered before entering the oil circulation system, it can adversely affect the engine's performance and lifespan. Air filter: Proper installation of the air filter can reduce wear on components such as cylinders, pistons, and piston rings. It is generally cleaned every 5,000 kilometers and replaced every 10,000 kilometers. Oil filter: Proper installation of the oil filter prevents impurities from mixing into the oil during the operation of the internal combustion engine, avoiding wear on moving parts and oil circuit blockages. When replacing the engine oil, the oil filter must also be replaced; otherwise, it will affect the quality of the lubricating oil. The replacement cycle for engine oil and the oil filter is typically 5,000 kilometers. Fuel filter: Proper installation of the fuel filter prevents impurities and moisture mixed into the gasoline during storage, transportation, and refueling from causing cylinder wear. To ensure optimal engine performance, the fuel filter is usually replaced every 20,000 kilometers or once a year. The benefits of maintenance include: ensuring the vehicle operates in optimal condition; improving vehicle efficiency and reducing wear on parts and tires; enhancing driving safety; preventing vehicle issues that could lead to hazards; reducing noise and environmental pollution; maintaining the vehicle's appearance and preventing damage. Automobile maintenance typically includes the following aspects: Cleaning: Sweeping, washing, and wiping the interior and exterior surfaces of the vehicle, as well as removing dirt from various filters, carbon deposits in the combustion chamber, and scale in the cooling system. Lubrication: Adding or filling lubricating grease at various lubrication points, as well as topping up or replacing the lubricating oil in the engine, transmission, steering gear, and main drive. Tightening: Primarily tightening bolts and nuts on threaded connections. Inspection: Mainly checking the vehicle's performance and local operating conditions, such as the braking distance and wear of brake pads, engine power and cylinder pressure, and whether the oil and electrical circuits meet specified technical standards. Adjustment: Based on inspection results, adjusting the vehicle's assemblies or components to meet the specified technical conditions.
Our family car has been receiving AB maintenance for years, which simply means regular maintenance is divided into two categories: A and B. A maintenance is like a routine minor check-up, performed every 5,000 kilometers or six months. The main tasks include changing the engine oil and filters, checking if the brake fluid level is sufficient, and it costs around 200 yuan, which is quite cost-effective. As for B maintenance, it's a comprehensive overhaul, done every 10,000 kilometers or once a year. It includes replacing the air filter, spark plugs, tire inspections, and more detailed checks, costing about 400-500 yuan. I'm used to following the maintenance schedule, which can extend the engine's lifespan. Even after running 50,000 kilometers, the car still drives smoothly, and the fuel consumption has even decreased a bit. For new car owners, it's essential to develop this habit early on and not delay until problems pile up, as repairs can be quite costly then.
Every time I help someone with car repairs, I emphasize that AB maintenance is a fundamental yet crucial scheduled service. A maintenance quickly handles oil changes and basic lubrication to prevent carbon buildup in the engine; B maintenance involves deeper inspections of drive belts, transmission fluid, and battery condition to prevent breakdowns. In the workshop, I often see owners who neglect maintenance, turning minor issues into major repairs that cost thousands for part replacements. I recommend following the intervals in the vehicle manual and learning simple maintenance tasks like checking tire pressure—it saves money and hassle. Keeping maintenance records also adds value when selling the car, so don’t let laziness get in the way.
