What needs to be done for car maintenance?
4 Answers
Car maintenance items include: 1. Inspection items include checking the lifespan of some wear-prone parts and examining vulnerable areas. Mainly involves four-wheel alignment data inspection, fault code inspection, belt timing system inspection, and chassis inspection. These areas are more prone to damage during regular use or consist of components that are more susceptible to wear. 2. Fault code inspection is very important. During every maintenance session, ensure the mechanic uses a diagnostic tool to read the fault codes. If there are serious fault codes, timely repairs are necessary. For intermittent fault codes, the mechanic can use the diagnostic tool to clear them.
I remember being all flustered during my first few car maintenance visits. Now for every service I always keep an eye on these essentials: Must change the engine oil and oil filter - that's the engine's lifeblood, usually needs replacing every 5,000 km. Then check both the cabin air filter and engine air filter - these directly affect interior air quality; I take them out to inspect and replace if dirty. Brake pad thickness needs measuring, plus tire pressure and tread wear checks - these are critical for driving safety. Finally have the mechanic scan the ECU to read fault codes and check battery health. Oh, and never forget details like lights and wipers - bad wipers in rain are downright dangerous. I always ask the shop to provide an itemized checklist of inspected components for peace of mind.
My car has run 60,000 kilometers and undergone both minor and major maintenance services. The minor service just involves basic tasks like changing the engine oil and the three filters, which costs around a hundred bucks. At the 20,000-kilometer mark, I did a major service where the transmission fluid and brake fluid were replaced - these are often overlooked but can cause serious issues if deteriorated. At 30,000 kilometers, I had the throttle body and fuel injectors cleaned, and noticed significantly smoother acceleration afterwards. The most critical was replacing the spark plugs and timing belt at 50,000 kilometers - the mechanic warned that delaying this could potentially damage the engine. The maintenance manual's recommended schedule is the most reliable guide - following the mileage intervals prevents both unnecessary spending and inadequate servicing. I rotate the tires roughly every other maintenance visit, which extends their lifespan by over half a year.
Last week while driving on the highway, I felt the brakes were a bit soft, so I immediately had the braking system checked. The most critical aspects of maintenance are life-saving components like brake pads and tires. I always measure the thickness of my brake pads every 10,000 kilometers and replace them immediately if they're thinner than 3mm. Tires require even more attention to wear indicators – never compromise with bulges or cracks. Chassis inspections are often overlooked, but worn bushings can cause alignment issues. After my last replacement, cornering became much more stable. Light checks shouldn't be neglected either, especially emergency lights like fog lamps. I believe these safety components are far more important than car washing or waxing – driving with peace of mind is what matters most. Brake fluid should generally be changed every two years, as deteriorated fluid can lead to brake failure.
