What is the purpose of a car's first maintenance?

2 Answers
SanRonan
07/24/25 12:24pm
Car first maintenance items are as follows: 1. Replace engine oil, oil filter, fuel filter, and air filter. 2. Check whether the level of car coolant meets the specified requirements. 3. Check the fluid levels of the brake and clutch. 4. Check whether the oil level in the power steering reservoir meets the specified requirements, and inspect all oil pipe interfaces of the system for any leakage. 5. Check the fluid levels of the battery and the windshield washer reservoir. 6. Check the tightness and aging condition of the belts for the generator, air conditioner, water pump, and power steering pump. 7. Check whether the front and rear lights of the car are complete.
Was this review help?
7
0
Share
DiStella
08/11/25 6:31am
Getting the first maintenance for a new car is something you can't afford to be careless about. I take it very seriously because it ensures the safety of daily driving. The car has just been driven a few hundred kilometers, and the engine is in the running-in phase. Friction between metal parts can produce small debris. The main task of the first maintenance is to change the engine oil and oil filter, removing all these contaminants and replacing them with clean, fresh lubricating oil to avoid excessive engine wear. At the same time, the technician will check the braking system, tire pressure, lights, and various fluid levels to ensure all critical components are functioning properly. Neglecting the first maintenance might not show immediate problems, but in the long run, it can lead to decreased engine performance or major failures, resulting in higher repair costs. Doing it on time also maintains the validity of the warranty, which the manufacturer will honor. I always feel that spending a little time on the first maintenance gives me more peace of mind when driving out.
Was this review help?
8
4
Share
Expand All
More Forum Discussions

What engine is used in the Volkswagen Tharu?

The Volkswagen Tharu is equipped with two engine models: EA211-DJS and EA888-DPL. The EA211-DJS engine delivers a maximum horsepower of 150 HP, a maximum power output of 110 kW, a maximum power speed of 5000 rpm, and a peak torque of 250 N·m. The EA888-DPL engine offers a maximum horsepower of 186 HP, a maximum power output of 137 kW, a maximum power speed range of 4100-6000 rpm, and a peak torque of 320 N·m. The EA211-DJS engine in the Volkswagen Tharu is produced by SAIC Volkswagen's engine plant, while the EA888-DPL model is manufactured by the Loudang Engine Factory. For daily maintenance of the Volkswagen Tharu's engine, the following methods can be employed: Use lubricating oil of appropriate quality grade. For gasoline engines, select SD-SF grade gasoline engine oil based on the additional equipment of the intake and exhaust systems and usage conditions. For diesel engines, choose CB-CD grade diesel engine oil according to mechanical load, with the selection standard not lower than the manufacturer's specified requirements. Regularly change the engine oil and filter. The quality of any grade of lubricating oil will deteriorate during use. After a certain mileage, performance degradation can cause various engine issues. To prevent failures, change the oil periodically based on usage conditions and maintain an appropriate oil level. As oil passes through the fine pores of the filter, solid particles and viscous substances accumulate in the filter. If the filter becomes clogged and oil cannot pass through, the filter may burst or the safety valve may open, allowing oil to bypass through the bypass valve and carry contaminants back to the lubrication areas, accelerating engine wear and increasing internal contamination. Regularly clean the crankcase. During engine operation, high-pressure unburned gases, acids, moisture, sulfur, and nitrogen oxides from the combustion chamber enter the crankcase through the gap between the piston rings and cylinder walls, mixing with metal particles from component wear to form sludge. Small amounts remain suspended in the oil, while larger amounts precipitate, clogging filters and oil passages, making engine lubrication difficult and causing wear. Periodically use a radiator cleaner to flush the radiator. Removing rust and scale deposits not only ensures normal engine operation but also extends the overall lifespan of the radiator and engine.
14
2
Share

What is the NORMAL mode in a car?

NORMAL in a car refers to the standard driving mode, which is the most commonly used mode. In this mode, every aspect of the car's performance is balanced, including fuel efficiency, quietness, and power. It achieves the optimal balance between fuel economy, quietness, and power performance, making it suitable for city driving. To meet different driving requirements and adapt to various road conditions, automatic transmissions are equipped with different shift logics in their electronic control units. A mode selection switch is also provided on the control panel, allowing drivers to choose the transmission control mode independently. Common control modes for automatic transmissions include the following: Economy Mode (ECONOMY): This control mode is designed to achieve the best fuel economy. When the automatic transmission operates in economy mode, its shift logic ensures that the engine frequently runs within the economical speed range during driving, thereby improving fuel efficiency. Power Mode (POWER): This control mode is designed to maximize the car's power performance. In this mode, the automatic transmission's shift logic ensures that the engine frequently operates within the high-power range during driving, thereby enhancing the car's power performance and climbing ability. Snow Mode (SNOW): Some automatic transmission models feature a "snowflake" button near the gear lever, which activates the snow mode. This mode uses preset automation programs to make the transmission start in second gear, ensuring smoother and gentler torque output and reducing the likelihood of tire slippage on slippery snow surfaces. Sport Mode (SPORT): The electronic control unit increases the engine speed to maintain sufficient torque and enhance power performance, though this consumes more fuel. It briefly boosts the engine's power for rapid acceleration, essentially acting as an acceleration gear, hill-climbing gear, or overtaking gear. In sport mode, the engine speed rises sharply. Additionally, high engine speeds in sport mode can help remove carbon deposits from the engine. However, it is not advisable to use this mode continuously, as it increases the transmission's load, raises its temperature, and accelerates wear. Individual Mode (INDIVIDUAL): This mode allows drivers to customize the feedback of various modules, typically including steering wheel weight, chassis stiffness, throttle response, transmission reaction, engine mode, steering system mode, and exhaust system mode.
7
1
Share

What Causes the Engine Warning Light to Illuminate in the Ford Kuga?

There are primarily seven reasons why the engine warning light may illuminate: Sensor Malfunction: This includes sensors such as coolant temperature, crankshaft position, air flow, intake air temperature, and oxygen sensors. When these sensors are damaged, have poor connections, or their signals are interrupted, the vehicle's ECU cannot accurately obtain engine data, triggering the engine warning light. Fuel or Oil Quality Issues: Failure to use the fuel or engine oil as recommended by the manufacturer may cause engine wear, leading to the warning light activation. Poor Combustion of Air-Fuel Mixture: Incomplete combustion can result in engine carbon buildup or knocking. Once detected by the oxygen sensor and reported to the ECU, the warning light will illuminate as an alert. Issues such as faulty spark plugs, ignition coils, fuel pump failures, or clogged fuel lines can cause poor combustion. Turbocharger Problems: Issues with the intake boost pipes or turbocharger can also trigger the engine warning light. The most common issue is turbocharger damage, often accompanied by symptoms like oil leaks, excessive oil consumption, reduced power, metallic noises, or blue/black smoke from the exhaust. Intake System Issues: Problems in the air intake system may lead to clogged engine pipes, and in severe cases, the engine warning light will illuminate. A dirty or uncleaned air filter can cause intake problems. Exhaust System Issues: Exhaust faults can also activate the engine warning light. Common causes include faults in the rear oxygen sensor, catalytic converter, exhaust camshaft, or bearings. The catalytic converter is most frequently affected, especially due to the use of leaded gasoline, lead/silicon-based lubricant additives, physical damage, or fuel system malfunctions. Anti-Theft System Malfunction: If the car's electronic anti-theft system fails or the anti-theft controller does not match the engine ECU, the system may prevent the engine from operating normally, accompanied by the warning light. Steps to Address the Illuminated Engine Warning Light: First, check whether the engine is running normally. If there are issues like shaking or black smoke, avoid restarting the engine—especially if the red warning light is on. If the engine can start, turn it off and wait 5-10 minutes. Without pressing the brake, press the start button once or turn the key halfway to the 'ON' position (without engaging the clutch). The vehicle will enter self-diagnosis mode. After 5-10 seconds, observe whether the warning light turns off. If the light remains on, visit a service center as soon as possible. Technicians can use a diagnostic tool to retrieve error codes and perform targeted repairs.
9
5
Share

How to cancel Shanghai ETC device?

To cancel Shanghai ETC, you first need to go to the bank to terminate the credit card ETC function, and then go to the ETC service outlet to cancel the ETC service. ETC working principle: Through the on-board electronic tag installed on the vehicle windshield and the microwave antenna on the ETC lane of the toll station, dedicated short-range communication is carried out. The computer network technology is used to conduct background settlement processing with the bank, so that the vehicle can pass through the highway or bridge toll station without stopping, and can pay the highway or bridge fee. ETC usage precautions: The ETC transaction sensing area is 8 meters. When encountering a vehicle in front staying, in order to prevent the ETC device failure of the vehicle in front or no ETC device at all, a distance of more than 10 meters should be kept from the vehicle in front to prevent the automatic sensing from paying for the vehicle in front. The ETC lane recognition speed is 20km/h. If the speed is too fast, the vehicle device information cannot be read, and the deduction will also fail. Unauthorized disassembly or movement of the OBU device, ETC electronic tag falling off or loosening, etc., will cause the electronic tag to fail. It can be sent to the bank where the ETC card is processed or the highway office for testing. Non-human loosening or falling off only needs to be reactivated. When using a debit card to bind ETC, insufficient balance will also cause the deduction to fail. You can follow the guidance of the on-site staff to go to the manual MTC lane and use cash or swipe cards to pass. The windshield of the car is too thick to cause poor sensing. Especially for vehicles that have been repaired after an accident and replaced the windshield, or friends who have modified the front windshield need to pay attention.
13
4
Share

Which Button is the Rearview Mirror Heater?

The rearview mirror heater button is typically marked with a rectangle containing three upward-curving arrows. The car's heating button activates electric heating wires embedded behind the mirror to reduce moisture, fog, and frost on the front and rear windshields and exterior rearview mirrors, thereby improving the driver's visibility and ensuring clear mirror surfaces. This enhances driving safety. Methods to activate the rearview mirror heating function: There are generally two ways to activate the rearview mirror heating function. One is combined with the electric mirror adjustment button—simply rotate the knob to turn it on. The other is located on the air conditioning control panel—press the heating button to activate it. No manual angle adjustment is needed, as the driver's side has adjustment buttons. Principle of the rearview mirror heating function: After pressing the button, the electric heater behind the rearview mirror glass rapidly heats up to a fixed temperature (usually between 35-60 degrees Celsius) within minutes. The heat is then emitted from the left and right rearview mirrors. As the temperature rises and evaporation occurs, water droplets on the mirror surface gradually shrink, and fog slowly dissipates, effectively clearing frost and fog from the mirror. However, in heavy rain, its effectiveness may diminish and become less noticeable. Precautions for using the rearview mirror heating function: The principle of rearview mirror heating involves electric heating wires on the mirror, which consume significant power. Ensure the car is running when using this feature to avoid draining the battery, which could prevent the car from starting. Other methods for defogging rearview mirrors include: Opening windows slightly to create airflow between the inside and outside of the car, reducing temperature differences and gradually eliminating fog. Adjusting the car's air conditioning to the appropriate setting to blow warm air for defogging.
11
3
Share

What does the EPC light on the dashboard of a Volkswagen Polo mean?

EPC (Electronic Power Control) stands for Engine Electronic Power Control System. When a sensor malfunctions or detects abnormal conditions, the control system will take corresponding measures according to the preset program. The reasons for the EPC light appearing on the car are: The throttle is dirty and needs cleaning. The brake light is not working, so the brake switch and wiring should be checked. There is a problem with the fuel quality. Engine stalling due to improper operation. Intake system failure, such as leaks or blockages. When the EPC light comes on, it is important to go to a 4S shop or a professional auto repair shop as soon as possible to have a technician read the fault code with a computer and determine the problem for targeted repair. Below is a detailed introduction to other situations that may cause the EPC light to come on: Engine intake system failure: The EPC light will come on when the engine intake is not smooth or the intake volume is insufficient. Throttle failure: Carbon buildup is a common issue with the throttle, and dirt on the throttle body can also affect intake, causing the light to come on. Fuel system failure: For example, substandard fuel, deteriorated fuel, or poor fuel atomization. Engine failure: Insufficient engine pressure or problems with the power system such as the intake valve can also trigger the EPC light. ECU control unit failure: For example, interference with the vehicle computer signal or false alarms from the vehicle computer. Brake light failure: If the brake light is not working, the brake switch is faulty, or the brake wiring is faulty. Solutions for when the car's EPC light comes on: Troubleshoot the intake system, use fuel with the appropriate octane rating, clean the throttle, etc. Remove carbon deposits from related parts. Rewrite the relevant ECU data. If the EPC light comes on, the owner can first try turning off the engine and restarting it to see if the EPC light remains on. If it does not come on again, there may be no problem, and it could be due to the EPC light being affected. If the EPC light remains on or comes on frequently, the car should be driven to the nearest repair point for professional help to diagnose and fix the issue, eliminating potential safety hazards in time. The full English name of EPC is Electronic-Power-Control, which translates to electronic power control. Most people refer to it as the engine electronic stability system. The EPC system mainly includes controllers and sensors related to the power system. When the sensor data in the system is abnormal, the EPC system will take measures for the power system according to the preset program. Common EPC indicator lights are generally two colors: yellow and red. If the EPC fault light is yellow and the car can still drive normally, proceed slowly to a repair point for inspection. If the EPC fault light is red, it indicates a more serious situation, and the car should be pulled over immediately to contact relevant repair personnel for maintenance. Forcing the car to drive could directly affect the core components of the car or driving safety.
8
2
Share
Cookie
Cookie Settings
© 2025 Servanan International Pte. Ltd.