What is the appropriate mileage for a car's first maintenance?
2 Answers
The first maintenance for a car is appropriate at 5,000 kilometers. The first maintenance includes: 1. Changing the engine oil, oil filter, and cleaning the air filter, checking whether the generator belt and wiper blades are damaged; 2. Checking whether the levels of various fluids are normal; 3. Checking whether the tire pressure is normal and whether there is uneven wear, bulging, or damage on the tires; 4. Inspecting the car chassis, including brake pads, brake discs, connecting rods, ball joints, and CV joints for any scratches; 5. Verifying whether all switches and lights in the car are working properly. Precautions for the first maintenance are: 1. Make an appointment in advance; 2. Record any faults or questions encountered while driving and inform the staff during the maintenance registration.
Last time I picked up my new car, the salesperson specifically reminded me about the first maintenance. It's generally recommended between 5,000 to 10,000 kilometers. I always check the user manual carefully because there are big differences between brands. For example, my German car specifies 7,500 kilometers, while Japanese cars often require it at 5,000 kilometers. Don't delay too long, otherwise the engine oil gets dirty and poor engine break-in may accelerate part wear. My previous car developed noises because I was a few months late for maintenance, costing me over a thousand more in repairs. Early checks also include air filter replacement and chassis tightening, which can prevent small issues from becoming big problems. Develop a record-keeping habit—note every maintenance in a small notebook to save money and hassle.
