What to Do If the First Maintenance Cannot Be Done at a 4S Shop?
2 Answers
You can find a nearby authorized service station for the first maintenance; or consult the selling 4S shop or the manufacturer to see if there are any authorized repair shops in the local area that can perform the first maintenance. In cases where there is no local 4S shop, you can negotiate with the 4S shop where you purchased the car to take away the relevant materials for the first maintenance and handle it yourself later. The first maintenance must be recorded in the system, and the nationwide warranty will only take effect after the first maintenance is completed. The first maintenance must be done at a 4S shop or an authorized repair shop designated by the manufacturer. Apart from regular maintenance, this reason is also because the 4S shop staff needs to enter and archive your car's code during the first maintenance, which then officially activates your car's "identity card." Only after the first maintenance is archived with this code will your car's nationwide warranty officially take effect. When picking up the car in a different location, the selling 4S shop should provide the free maintenance (once or twice) by giving the required engine oil and oil filter to the buyer to take away. The 2-year or 60,000-kilometer warranty items can be serviced at the nearest 4S shop or authorized service station. You can also make a free call to consult the selling 4S shop or the manufacturer to check if there are any authorized service stations in your local area.
I've been driving for over a decade and have seen many discussions about the first maintenance. The main risk of not doing the first maintenance at a 4S shop is that it may affect the warranty rights, as many car brands require maintenance at official designated shops to maintain the warranty. First, check your car purchase contract or user manual to see what the specific terms are. Some new cars offer free first maintenance, and I suggest not wasting the opportunity to go to a 4S shop to avoid trouble. But if you're on a tight budget, you can choose a reliable independent repair shop where prices are cheaper. Remember to keep all maintenance invoices and records to prove that you used genuine oil and filters. In case of major problems later, these documents can help you prove that it wasn't due to improper maintenance. However, it's best to visit a 4S shop at least once during the new car phase, spending some time to ensure everything is in order and avoid higher repair costs later. Overall, the first maintenance is the starting point of the maintenance cycle, so don't overlook its importance.
