What is the difference between car maintenance outside and at a 4S shop?
2 Answers
The differences between car maintenance outside and at a 4S shop are as follows: 1. Professionalism: 4S shops are equipped with dedicated car diagnostic computers, including some special proprietary tools provided by manufacturers, which demonstrate professionalism. These devices can monitor the car at any time and identify faults within minutes, making them more convincing. Some repair shops also have such equipment, but they generally rely on the experience of mechanics and lack strong professionalism. 2. Technical expertise: The maintenance staff at 4S shops are more skilled, receiving periodic training and professional education, and have access to more resources, making the team highly professional. In contrast, while some repair shops may have talented mechanics, they are few and far between, and the technical level may vary. 3. Price: Maintenance at a 4S shop is slightly more expensive than maintenance outside.
I've been driving for over a decade and have experienced various maintenance scenarios. External maintenance is much cheaper – a roadside shop might charge just over 100 yuan for an oil change, while a 4S shop could easily cost 400-500 yuan, a huge difference. However, saving money doesn't necessarily mean it's better. External shops often use non-genuine parts of inferior quality, leading to issues like oil leaks or strange noises within months after replacement. 4S shops exclusively use genuine OEM parts, employ professional technicians who conduct thorough inspections, leaving you with virtually no worries. There's also the warranty issue – it's best to stick with 4S maintenance for new cars, otherwise manufacturers might refuse warranty claims. Overall, go external if you're on a tight budget, but for new cars or if you want hassle-free service, 4S is the safer choice.
