What Does the First Maintenance Generally Include?
3 Answers
The first maintenance generally involves a simple oil and oil filter change, followed by a comprehensive inspection of the vehicle. Normally, there are no additional items that need replacement. Below are the precautions and timing: Precautions: The first maintenance for a car refers to the initial service performed after purchasing a new vehicle. However, there are many aspects to pay attention to during car maintenance to avoid unnecessary expenses. This is especially true for novice drivers who have never performed maintenance on a car before, as they might easily opt for unnecessary services. First Maintenance Timing: The timing for the first maintenance varies from the regular maintenance cycle. Some cars require it at just 2,000 kilometers, while others may extend up to 8,000 kilometers, depending on the specific technical conditions of the vehicle.
You’ve asked the right question! I just had my first service, and it’s far more than just an oil change. The 4S shop first lifted the car and tightened every chassis bolt with a wrench—many bolts on a new car can loosen after a few hundred kilometers. Then the technician connected a computer to read fault codes, and I saw the calibration data for the steering wheel angle sensor being updated right before my eyes. The most surprising part was they even recalibrated the wheel hub bolts with a torque wrench, explaining that new car hubs are prone to settling. The drained oil was dark and shiny, and the technician said it contained metal particles from the break-in period. They even upgraded the infotainment system for free, bumping the navigation version from 3.0 (factory default) to 5.2. I’d recommend keeping an eye on them to check brake pad thickness—my left front wheel showed abnormal wear, and the mechanic fixed it by adjusting the caliper guide pins.
The first maintenance is far more important than you think! When my hybrid car was serviced, the technician focused on checking the battery cooling vents and blew out a lot of flocculent material with a high-pressure air gun. The coolant level inspection actually requires three steps: checking the main radiator when the engine is cold, checking the auxiliary reservoir when the engine is hot, and observing the expansion tank after turning off the engine. The most practical part was the free tire rotation, moving the less worn rear tires to the front. The technician said this could extend tire life by 20%. Remember to bring your dashcam footage—they test the light combinations during the inspection, which is a perfect opportunity to check if your front and rear turn signals are synchronized.
