What Does Regular Maintenance at a 4S Shop Include?

[IvanRose]

The main maintenance items at a 4S shop include: Oil and oil filter replacement (10,000 km): The oil filter replacement is primarily for maintaining the lubrication system. The main function of the lubrication system is to effectively lubricate various components of the car engine to prevent excessive wear. The oil filter removes various impurities from the oil, ensuring the normal operation of the lubrication system. When changing the oil, the oil filter should be replaced along with the oil. Normally, a car requires maintenance every 5,000 km. Fuel filter (30,000 km): Removes impurities and moisture from the fuel, allowing the engine to perform at its best. Spark plugs (Platinum: 60,000 km; Iridium: 80,000 km): Prevents ignition difficulties and ensures the engine does not suffer from power loss. Brake fluid (40,000 km): Absorbs moisture from the air, improves braking performance, and ensures driving safety. Brake pads (should not be thinner than 3mm): Over time, brake pads wear out, reducing braking effectiveness. Replacing them ensures stable handling performance. Air and cabin air filters (30,000 km): Improves the quality of intake air, enhances the efficiency of the air distribution system, and filters dust and unpleasant odors from the air. Overall vehicle inspection: A comprehensive check to ensure driving safety. General car maintenance typically includes the following aspects: Cleaning: Washing and wiping the interior and exterior surfaces of the car, as well as removing dirt from various filters, carbon deposits in the combustion chamber, and scale from the cooler. Lubrication: Adding or filling lubricants at various lubrication points, as well as topping up or replacing the engine, transmission, steering gear, and differential oils. Tightening: Primarily involves tightening bolts and nuts at threaded connections. Inspection: Mainly checks the working performance and local conditions of the car, such as braking distance and wear of brake pads, engine power and cylinder pressure, and whether the condition of the fuel and electrical systems meets specifications. Adjustment: Based on inspection results, adjusts car assemblies or parts to meet specified technical conditions. Body maintenance. Also commonly referred to as car detailing, the main purpose is to remove oxidation and corrosion from the exterior and interior of the car, then protect it to highlight the car's "beauty." It mainly includes: paint care, seat and carpet care, bumper and skirt care, dashboard care, chrome plating care, leather and plastic care, tire and wheel hub warranty, windshield care, chassis care, and engine exterior care. Interior maintenance. While body maintenance aims to keep the car looking young, interior maintenance ensures the car can travel hundreds of thousands of kilometers without major repairs, maintaining optimal technical condition. It mainly includes: lubrication system, fuel system, cooling system, braking system, and carburetor (injector) maintenance. Body refurbishment. This includes diagnosing and treating deep scratches, repairing multi-material bumpers, fixing hard damage to wheel hubs (covers), refurbishing leather and synthetic materials, and refreshing engine colors. However, with advancements in science and technology and the automotive industry, the integration of advanced technologies, especially computer-based systems, into cars is making future vehicles increasingly intelligent, thus adding new dimensions to car maintenance. A car consists of tens of thousands of parts. Over time, the performance of functional components (including lubricants) gradually declines due to wear, aging, and corrosion. Under normal driving conditions, this degradation occurs gradually in many parts. Since no two cars are used identically, it's impossible to predict identical wear and aging for each part. Therefore, manufacturers set specific inspection intervals to adjust and replace components expected to change over time or use—this is "regular maintenance." Its goal is to restore the car's performance to optimal condition, prevent minor issues from becoming major problems, ensure vehicle safety, and achieve better economy and longer lifespan.

[DelChloe]

I'm very familiar with the routine maintenance at 4S shops. Every time I take my car in, it's pretty much the same few items. An oil change is standard, along with replacing the oil filter to ensure the engine runs smoothly with proper lubrication. Next is checking the tires—making sure the tire pressure is correct and the wear is even to avoid premature damage, and rotating the tires if needed. The brake system is a must-check, inspecting the thickness of the brake pads and the condition of the rotors to avoid issues before it's too late. The lighting system is also checked, including headlights, taillights, and turn signals, to ensure safe nighttime driving. Replacing the air filter is essential to keep the engine breathing clean air. They also check various fluids, like coolant, brake fluid, and power steering fluid, topping up or replacing them if they're low or dirty. Inspecting the chassis and suspension is crucial to spot any leaks or looseness, preventing strange noises or loss of control on the road. I believe regular maintenance, whether yearly or based on mileage, extends the car's lifespan, prevents major repairs, and ensures cost-effective, worry-free, and safe driving.