What is a Car Maintenance Mileage Chart?
4 Answers
A car maintenance mileage chart is a reminder table based on the car maintenance cycle. In China, maintenance is generally performed every 5,000 kilometers, including oil and oil filter replacement. In regions like Europe, the United States, and Japan, the maintenance cycle is longer, usually exceeding 10,000 kilometers. Below are the corresponding mileage and items for vehicle maintenance: 1. The most commonly used item for vehicles is engine oil. The oil change cycle has two indicators: time and mileage, whichever comes first. Oil and oil filters are replaced simultaneously. (1) The replacement cycle for mineral oil is 6 months or 5,000 kilometers. (2) The replacement cycle for semi-synthetic oil is 8 months or approximately 8,000 kilometers. (3) The replacement cycle for full synthetic oil is 12 months or approximately 10,000 kilometers. 2. Air filters are generally replaced every 6 months or 10,000 kilometers. 3. Fuel filters are generally replaced every 1 year or 20,000 kilometers. 4. Cabin air filters are usually replaced when using the air conditioning in winter and summer. 5. Coolant, also known as antifreeze, is responsible for cooling the engine and is generally replaced every 2 years or 40,000 kilometers. 6. Brake fluid is replaced every 2 years or 40,000 kilometers. 7. Power steering fluid is replaced every 40,000 kilometers. If the vehicle has electric power steering, there is no power steering fluid. 8. Manual transmission fluid is replaced every 40,000 kilometers, while automatic transmission fluid is replaced every 60,000 kilometers. 9. Common wear-and-tear parts replacement cycle: Spark plugs are replaced every 30,000 to 50,000 kilometers. 10. Brake pads are replaced when they are below 3.5mm, generally lasting 40,000 to 60,000 kilometers. 11. Wiper blades are replaced every six months to one year. 12. Timing belts are replaced every 60,000 kilometers. 13. Tires should be rotated every 8,000 to 13,000 kilometers. A wheel alignment should be performed every 30,000 to 40,000 kilometers, and tires should be replaced when worn to the limit.
I've been driving for decades and often chat with friends about maintenance. The car maintenance mileage chart is like a maintenance map for your car, specifically telling you what to do at different mileage points, such as changing the oil every 5,000 kilometers and checking the tires at 20,000 kilometers. This chart is usually recommended by the manufacturer and tucked away in the user manual, helping you avoid sudden car troubles and saving you from expensive repairs. Thanks to this chart, I've kept my car running smoothly and safely, especially now that cars are getting more expensive—proper maintenance can extend its lifespan by several years. I recommend all car owners find their car's maintenance chart and post it somewhere visible, so they don't wait until the car starts complaining. If you can't find the manual, you can ask the 4S store—they provide it for free.
As a car enthusiast who treats my vehicle like my own life, I always check the mileage chart before each maintenance. It's essentially a scheduled checklist that specifies maintenance items at different mileage intervals. For instance, replace the air filter at 15,000 kilometers and conduct a full system inspection at 30,000 kilometers. This thing is super important because timely maintenance makes the engine more durable, reduces failure rates, and saves fuel. From my own experience, neglecting the chart's instructions leads to the car protesting—like increased noise or skyrocketing fuel consumption—which ends up being more costly. It's best to develop the habit of adjusting the schedule based on driving habits—those who drive long distances frequently should service their cars a bit earlier.
When I first started driving, I knew nothing, but now I understand the purpose of the maintenance mileage chart. Simply put, it's a reference guide telling us when to service the car. For example, the first oil change is due at 5,000 kilometers for a new car, followed by brake pad inspections every 10,000 kilometers. This chart helps prevent oversight, protects critical components, and extends the vehicle's lifespan. I recommend beginners get a standard chart from the dealership—don't guess randomly to avoid damaging the car.
