What maintenance is needed for a car at 20,000 kilometers?
2 Answers
The regular maintenance items for a car at 20,000 kilometers include changing the engine oil, oil filter, air filter, cabin air filter, spark plugs, etc. Here is extended information about the 20,000-kilometer maintenance: 1. Changing the engine oil and oil filter is essential: Under the harsh conditions of high temperature and high pressure inside the engine, the shelf life of the engine oil is significantly shortened, and its performance deteriorates. Over time, it fails to protect the engine. The oil filter prevents impurities from mixing into the oil, which can cause oxidation, leading to sludge and clogging the oil passages. Therefore, both the engine oil and oil filter should be replaced simultaneously. 2. If the air filter and cabin air filter were not replaced during the 10,000-kilometer maintenance, they must be replaced at the 20,000-kilometer maintenance. 3. If the car uses standard material spark plugs, preparations should be made to replace them at 20,000 kilometers.
Last time when I went for the 20,000 km maintenance, the mechanic followed a standard procedure. Engine oil and oil filter must be replaced—they're basically the lifeblood of the engine. The air filter was taken out and, sure enough, covered in dust, so it got replaced with a new one. The mechanic used a computer to check the vehicle data and found the brake pads still had enough thickness, but he specifically helped rotate the front and rear tires. Brake fluid was tested for moisture content with a tester pen, and since it met the standard, it wasn’t changed. All the chassis bolts were tightened one by one, and the cabin air filter was taken out, blown clean, and deemed still usable. Finally, they gave the car a free wash, and it felt noticeably smoother to drive. A tip: remember to take a photo of the odometer before maintenance to avoid being tricked into early servicing.
