What parts need to be replaced during a minor car maintenance?
3 Answers
Minor car maintenance requires the replacement of engine oil and the oil filter. Minor maintenance refers to the routine service items performed at the manufacturer-specified time or mileage intervals to ensure vehicle performance. Engine oil, composed of base oil and additives, serves to lubricate, clean, seal, and cool the car's engine. As the vehicle is driven, the base oil and additives in the engine oil degrade and lose effectiveness, necessitating regular oil changes to protect the engine. The oil filter, or oil filter element, functions to remove debris, sludge, and moisture from the oil, delivering clean oil to various lubrication points. Over time, the filtering performance of the oil filter declines and may eventually fail, so it must be replaced periodically to maintain its effectiveness and prolong the engine's lifespan.
I drive to work every day, so regular minor maintenance is essential, with the focus on changing the engine oil and oil filter. Over time, the oil becomes thick and sticky, which can accelerate engine wear, leading to increased fuel consumption and louder noise. The air filter also needs to be replaced periodically—it acts like the car’s lungs, ensuring smooth airflow by filtering out dust, which keeps the engine performing well. If the shop also checks the tires or brake fluid, that’s a bonus, but the core replacements are these three items. Sticking to minor maintenance has been a lifesaver—my car has run smoothly for 5 years without major issues, saving me a lot on repairs. After each service, the car feels lighter and more responsive, so I highly recommend keeping up with the schedule.
Having driven for over 20 years, I've long mastered the essentials of minor maintenance. Key replacements include engine oil, which lubricates internal engine components to prevent friction-induced overheating damage; the oil filter that removes impurities to avoid clogging oil passages; and replacing the air filter ensures clean air intake for more efficient combustion. These affordable measures prevent major overhauls, typically costing just a few hundred yuan. I even DIY simpler tasks like air filter changes. Though minor maintenance seems trivial, it's the lifeline for prolonging vehicle lifespan—the savings on repairs could cover multiple fuel refills.
