What is the difference between regular maintenance and major maintenance?
2 Answers
Regular maintenance and major maintenance differ in their basic definitions and maintenance intervals. Basic definitions differ: Minor maintenance refers to the routine maintenance items performed at the manufacturer's specified time or mileage to ensure vehicle performance, primarily involving oil and oil filter replacement. Major maintenance refers to the conventional maintenance performed at the manufacturer's specified time or mileage, including oil and oil filter replacement, air filter replacement, and fuel filter replacement. Maintenance intervals differ: The interval for minor maintenance depends on the effective time or mileage of the oil and oil filter used; the interval for major maintenance is based on the existence of minor maintenance, with these two types of maintenance alternating.
Regular maintenance is simply checking things at the shop or doing a basic self-inspection each time—changing the engine oil and oil filter, adjusting tire pressure, topping up the windshield washer fluid. It’s usually done every 5,000 to 10,000 kilometers—cost-effective and hassle-free, mainly to prevent minor issues like engine carbon buildup. Major maintenance is far more involved, done every 20,000 to 40,000 kilometers, requiring a thorough inspection. Beyond the basic oil change, it includes checking brake pads, coolant, replacing spark plugs, and even the timing belt to avoid sudden engine failure. As someone who commutes daily, I see regular maintenance like daily brushing and washing up, while major maintenance is like an annual health checkup. Skipping major maintenance can lead to serious breakdowns, costing much more to repair. It’s best to stick to regular maintenance on schedule and get periodic major maintenance to keep the car running longer and safer—don’t slack off and neglect it.
