What to Prepare for the First Vehicle Maintenance?
3 Answers
For the first vehicle maintenance, you need to prepare the vehicle registration certificate and the maintenance manual. The maintenance items include: 1. Replacement of engine oil, oil filter, air conditioning filter, and air filter; 2. Inspection and adjustment of tire pressure; 3. Checking the coolant level, brake fluid level, and clutch fluid level; 4. Inspection of the tension of the generator, air conditioning, water pump, and power steering pump belts. Vehicle maintenance is a preventive measure that involves regular inspection, cleaning, replenishment, lubrication, adjustment, or replacement of certain parts. Its purposes are to maintain a clean vehicle appearance, ensure normal technical conditions, eliminate potential hazards, prevent failures, slow down the deterioration process of components, and extend the service life.
Last time before my first maintenance, I specifically asked the master technician at the 4S dealership. For a new car's first maintenance, there are three most important things to bring: the vehicle license and maintenance manual are absolutely mandatory - don't lose the first maintenance coupon in the manual as it can save you hundreds. Remember to take a photo of your odometer reading with your phone beforehand to avoid disputes when verifying at the shop. Oh, and clear out all the clutter from your car - last time half a case of mineral water hidden in the trunk made the technician move things around for ages. When making the appointment, ask how long it will take - some shops offer free windshield washer fluid refills and tire pressure top-ups if you ask, otherwise you'll miss out. Recently if there's a yellow triangle warning on your dashboard, remember to show it to the after-sales service to avoid being blamed for improper operation.
Having worked in car repair for seven or eight years and handled over a thousand first maintenance services, here are some detailed reminders for everyone: Besides the usual documents, also bring the manufacturer’s extended warranty card and a copy of the purchase invoice. These can help resolve disputes about the three-guarantee period on the spot. For minor issues like chassis noises or door jams, recording a video on your phone to show the technician is ten times more effective than verbal descriptions. Remove any stones stuck in the tire treads beforehand, as this will prompt the mechanic to inspect the tires more carefully. During summer maintenance, bring a towel to wipe off dust from the air filter compartment, and in winter, pay extra attention to checking the antifreeze level. Lastly, always double-check the oil viscosity grade during an oil change—using the wrong one can lead to regrets later.
