What is the difference between minor and major maintenance?
2 Answers
Differences between minor and major maintenance: 1. Minor maintenance refers to routine service items performed at the manufacturer's specified time and mileage intervals to ensure vehicle performance, including oil and oil filter replacement. Major maintenance refers to replacing the oil, oil filter, air filter, and fuel filter at the manufacturer's specified intervals. Major maintenance builds upon minor maintenance. 2. Minor maintenance is typically required every 5,000 kilometers, while major maintenance is needed every 20,000 kilometers. 3. Minor maintenance generally involves routine service items for vehicles with shorter driving distances to maintain performance, primarily including oil and oil filter replacement along with routine inspections. In contrast, major maintenance goes beyond minor maintenance by requiring replacement of the three filters and spark plugs in addition to oil changes. The three filters refer to the air filter, oil filter, and fuel filter.
When I first started driving, I often confused minor and major maintenance. Later, I learned the difference. Minor maintenance is basic work that needs to be done every six months or around 5,000 kilometers. It mainly involves changing the engine oil, cleaning the air filter, and checking the brakes and tires. It costs about three to four hundred yuan, saves time and effort, and can help detect small issues early, preventing them from turning into big problems. Major maintenance is more troublesome, usually done every two years or after driving 20,000 kilometers. It includes comprehensive tasks like checking the transmission, cleaning the cooling system, and even replacing spark plugs or timing belts, with costs easily exceeding a thousand yuan. The benefit is that it extends the engine's lifespan and keeps the car running more smoothly. I have a friend who skipped major maintenance and ended up damaging the transmission system, costing several thousand yuan in repairs. Following the manual for regular maintenance without cutting corners ensures the car runs long and safely.
