What Maintenance Does a Car Need After Running 30,000 Kilometers?
3 Answers
After running 30,000 kilometers, a car requires both basic and advanced maintenance. Basic maintenance includes: changing the engine oil, oil filter, air filter, cabin air filter, and fuel filter. Advanced maintenance includes: changing the brake fluid, power steering fluid, and coolant. The replacement intervals for each item are as follows: 1. Cabin air filter: 10,000 kilometers. 2. Fuel filter (internal/external): Internal: 40,000-60,000 kilometers; External: 20,000 kilometers. 3. Brake fluid: Within 2 years or 40,000 kilometers. 4. Power steering fluid: Approximately 2 years or 30,000 kilometers. 5. Coolant: 2 years.
As a veteran driver who frequently takes long-distance trips, reflecting on the major maintenance at 30,000 kilometers, I believe the most crucial tasks are changing the engine oil and oil filter. Insufficient engine lubrication can easily cause wear and tear, making the engine sound rough. Tires should be carefully inspected for tread depth and pressure to ensure there's no uneven wear—safety is paramount. I've witnessed tire blowout accidents on the road, which are extremely dangerous. Brake pads should be replaced once they're halfway worn, or else braking performance will suffer. Spark plugs should also be checked—if they fail to ignite, acceleration becomes sluggish. Don’t forget the cabin air filter; driving in summer can get stuffy and hot, and a dirty filter reduces airflow, making it hard to breathe. Lastly, I recommend checking the wipers and headlights—poor lighting at night strains the eyes. Overall maintenance helps prevent major issues, saves on repair costs, and extends the car's lifespan—don’t wait for a breakdown to regret it.
From my experience, the key to 30,000 km maintenance is maintaining the engine system. The old engine oil must be replaced to prevent carbon buildup damage, along with the accompanying oil filter. The air cleaner should be cleaned or replaced, as excessive dust accumulation can increase fuel consumption. Check the transmission system, such as the gearbox oil. If it's a manual transmission, it might still be fine, but for an automatic transmission, consider replacing it to avoid gear shifting hesitation. Inspect the coolant level and color, as leaks or overheating can lead to engine seizure, which is a major issue. Check the brake disc thickness; if it's too thin, braking power will be insufficient, especially in rainy conditions where slipping is more likely. It's also advisable to check the battery terminals and battery life, as starting failure may require a jump start. After maintenance, the car will run smoother, fuel efficiency will improve, and safe driving will be ensured.
