What does it mean when the car indicates it's time for maintenance?
3 Answers
The reason the car indicates it's time for maintenance is that the vehicle has reached its maintenance cycle, and the owner needs to perform maintenance promptly. The solution is to promptly visit the car's 4S shop for maintenance, after which the maintenance reminder light can be turned off. If the issue persists, it is advisable to seek help from a maintenance technician to disable the maintenance reminder. Typically, the car will give a reminder one or two thousand kilometers in advance, and the owner can choose to have it cleared after maintenance at the 4S shop. Common car maintenance items include: engine oil, oil filter, fuel filter, air filter, and cabin air filter. Car manufacturers provide a regular maintenance schedule for each vehicle upon leaving the factory, with maintenance items and cycles usually based on mileage. The purpose is to achieve optimal performance and extend the vehicle's lifespan through regular maintenance.
The maintenance reminder popping up on your car is generally calculated by the onboard computer based on the mileage you've driven or the vehicle's usage time. Every time you start the ignition, the system silently records the distance and time. For example, my car will light up a reminder to change the oil every 10,000 kilometers or about half a year. Over time, the oil gets dirty and loses its ability to protect the engine effectively. Additionally, a dirty air filter can block fresh air from entering the engine. If you don't maintain your car on time, increased engine wear will lead to higher fuel consumption and even potential breakdowns. I advise you to schedule an appointment with a 4S shop or a reliable repair shop as soon as possible. Don't delay too long—your car needs to stay healthy to run smoothly on long trips.
That maintenance reminder light popping up is your car's computer alerting you it's time for scheduled service. It calculates mileage via wheel speed sensors combined with time-based tracking. Key checks include engine oil life (low lubrication risks cylinder scoring), brake fluid hygroscopic rate (exceeding limits reduces braking power), and clogged air filters (increasing fuel consumption and emissions). At the dealership, I've seen countless cases where ignored warnings led to costly engine repairs. Immediately consult your maintenance manual's service intervals and get a comprehensive inspection to prevent issues.
