What to Do If the First Car Maintenance Is Overdue by One Month?
4 Answers
Being one month overdue for the first car maintenance will not affect the vehicle, and it can be used normally. The first maintenance items include: 1. Replace engine oil, oil filter, and clean the air filter; 2. Inspect the car chassis; 3. Check all switches and lights to ensure they are working properly; 4. Check tire pressure. Car maintenance refers to the preventive work of regularly inspecting, cleaning, supplying, lubricating, adjusting, and replacing certain parts of the car, also known as car servicing. Its purpose is to keep the car clean, maintain normal technical conditions, eliminate hidden dangers, prevent faults, slow down the deterioration process, and extend the service life.
I've encountered this situation several times where the first maintenance of a new car was delayed by a month, and it seems quite common. The key is to promptly contact your dealer or 4S shop—they usually have a grace period policy, so exceeding a month might not severely affect the warranty or incur charges. Call them to explain the reason, such as being busy with work or simply forgetting, and they’ll help you schedule an appointment quickly. Bring the purchase contract and manual during the maintenance. The technician will check the oil condition, filters, and engine break-in to ensure no major issues. Remember, the first maintenance is mainly about preventing early wear—delaying it for too long could lead to problems, but exceeding a month is still early detection. I recommend setting a phone calendar reminder or linking the maintenance date in an app to avoid forgetting again. In short, act quickly—don’t delay handling it, as keeping the car running smoothly is what matters most.
It's common to miss the first service deadline in daily life. Being a month overdue isn't a big deal, so don't worry unnecessarily. Just call the 4S store hotline to schedule service and explain the situation honestly. Often, they'll handle it for free or charge a nominal fee. Bring all your documents when visiting – they mainly change the oil and perform basic checks without giving you a hard time. Typically, warranty coverage remains valid even one month overdue, especially with mainstream brands being more lenient. Last time I exceeded the deadline due to business travel, they processed it through their express channel. Afterwards, develop good habits: check the dashboard maintenance light monthly and note deadlines from the manual. This prevents future costs – proper new car maintenance saves money long-term. In short, stay relaxed and invest small efforts to resolve minor issues.
Don't panic financially if you exceed the first maintenance by one month: in most cases, the warranty remains valid. Call the dealer to inquire about their policy. There might be a make-up service or low-cost solution to avoid losing more by trying to save a little. The longer you delay, the more wear accumulates, leading to more expensive repairs in the future. Quickly schedule an inspection; it might be resolved for free or at a small cost. A tip from experience: set a calendar reminder to prevent this, saving both hassle and money.
