What maintenance does a car need for its second service?
3 Answers
For the second service of a car, the following maintenance tasks are required: 1. The maintenance items involve inspection and maintenance of dozens of items across multiple systems, including the engine, transmission, air conditioning system, steering system, braking system, suspension, body, and tires. The key projects are still changing the engine oil and oil filter. 2. Secondly, during the second service, both the air filter and cabin air filter need to be replaced. 3. For the car's second service, no other replacements or cleaning, such as engine cleaning, are necessary. Before the second service, be sure to carefully review the maintenance list and avoid unnecessary items.
During my last second maintenance service, I found that it mainly involved changing the engine oil and oil filter, as the oil tends to thicken after the engine break-in period. They also checked the tire pressure and tread, mentioning that low pressure could affect braking and fuel consumption. Testing the brake system is crucial, as failure could be extremely dangerous on the highway. They inspected various fluids, such as coolant (insufficient levels can cause overheating) and brake fluid (low levels can make brakes feel soft). The air filter, often overlooked, can reduce engine efficiency when dirty. The inspection also included lights to ensure safe nighttime driving visibility. They tightened the chassis screws to prevent rattling noises while driving. I believe spending this money on maintenance is worth it to avoid minor issues turning into major repairs. Personally, I prefer to choose authorized service centers for maintenance.
As someone who frequently helps others with car repairs, I believe the core of the second maintenance is changing the engine oil and oil filter. Fresh oil is needed to protect the engine after the break-in period. Then, carefully inspect the tires and maintain the tire pressure at the manufacturer's recommended value. If the wear is excessive, recommend replacement. Check the wear level of the brake pads and discs; if they are too thin, replace them promptly. Inspect the coolant, brake fluid, and transmission fluid for levels and condition—top up or replace if low or contaminated. Clean the air filter regularly to prevent dirt from affecting air intake. Test each light in the lighting system to ensure they work, avoiding accidents on the road. Tighten all screws on the chassis thoroughly to prevent looseness that could cause instability while driving. Remind the car owner to pay attention to the report provided by the 4S shop—it contains many details, and it's not worth skimping on this expense.
