What maintenance is required for a car that has run 30,000 kilometers?
4 Answers
For a car that has run 30,000 kilometers, both basic and advanced maintenance are required. 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: Cabin air filter: 10,000 kilometers. Fuel filter (internal/external): Internal: 40,000-60,000 kilometers; External: 20,000 kilometers. Brake fluid: Within 2 years or 40,000 kilometers. Power steering fluid: Approximately 2 years or 30,000 kilometers. Coolant: 2 years.
After running 30,000 kilometers, it's time to give the car a thorough maintenance. Changing the engine oil is a must, and the oil filter should be replaced along with it. The air filter is probably clogged with dust, affecting the engine's breathing. I usually check the air filter box myself to see how dirty it is. The brake pads need to be measured by a mechanic for thickness; if they're worn down to just 3 millimeters, they should be replaced immediately. The tires should be checked for uneven wear, and a four-wheel alignment should be done to prevent the car from pulling to one side. The chassis rubber bushings and suspension ball joints should also be carefully inspected for cracks or aging. If the spark plugs have never been replaced, now is the time to get a new set to avoid affecting ignition performance. The coolant and brake fluid should be replaced after this long, especially since the cooling system must not fail when using the air conditioning in summer. After all these are done, you can drive with peace of mind.
The 30,000-kilometer maintenance is actually quite particular. The first thing to do is definitely an oil and oil filter change, which is a routine task every 5,000 kilometers. The braking system is crucial, so the wear on the brake discs and pads needs to be carefully inspected. It's recommended to directly replace the cabin air filter, otherwise, there might be unpleasant odors when using the AC in summer. Spark plugs are generally nearing the end of their lifespan at this mileage, especially for turbocharged engines, which require extra attention. The steering and suspension systems should also be thoroughly checked by the mechanic to see if the rubber bushings are aging or cracking. Don't forget to perform wheel balancing on the tires and check if the wheel alignment data is accurate—shaking steering wheels are often caused by this issue. The battery's health should also be tested to avoid sudden failure to start. Oh, and finally, have the mechanic tighten all the screws under the car chassis. After such maintenance, the car can run smoothly for several more years.
For the 30,000-kilometer maintenance, I focus on several key areas. Engine oil and oil filter must be replaced—no question about that. Take out the air filter and tap off the dust; if there's oil stains, replace it directly. Check the thickness of the brake pads, especially for models with faster rear wheel wear. Inspect the tires for significant differences in wear between front and rear, and rotate them if necessary. Whether to replace the spark plugs depends on the vehicle model—direct injection engines are better off being replaced. For chassis components, mainly check the condition of the steering tie rod ball joints and lower control arm bushings. Test the antifreeze's freezing point and replace it if insufficient. Also, measure the brake fluid's moisture content—replace if it exceeds 3%. Wiper blades are likely due for replacement after this long; replacing them before the rainy season is the wisest. Doing these should suffice.
