What to Replace During the First Car Maintenance?
2 Answers
The key items for the first maintenance of a new car are changing the engine oil and oil filter. Below is relevant information about the first maintenance: 1. Two indicators for the first maintenance, whichever comes first: The first maintenance has two indicators—mileage and time—whichever comes first will be the determining factor. Exceeding either one may affect the warranty. According to the manufacturer's specified first maintenance time, Dongfeng Honda Wanshunda dealership recommends 3,000-5,000 kilometers or 3 months. Two and a half months after the owner takes delivery of the car, the dealership will continuously remind the owner to come in for the first maintenance within the remaining half month to avoid the awkward situation of the first maintenance expiring. 2. The first maintenance time is related to the vehicle's condition: The first maintenance time varies due to differences in the specific technical conditions of the vehicle. The engine has a break-in period with the new car. Different car series, brands, and even models are equipped with engines of different designs. Some engines have better materials and higher precision, resulting in relatively less wear; others have higher requirements for engine oil, or even special requirements. 3. There is no need to perform the first maintenance in advance: The data and time provided by the manufacturer are under ideal conditions. In actual situations, the maintenance time and cycle may need to be shortened. As for routine maintenance, it also depends on the car's brand and usage. Generally, maintenance is performed every 5,000 kilometers or 3 months on average, especially changing the engine oil, which is very important because engine oil has a shelf life. If the car is used less and is in good condition, it can be extended to 6 months.
I just had my first maintenance service last month at the 4S shop. They changed the engine oil and oil filter, which is pretty standard. They said there would be metal shavings in the engine during the break-in period, so it's necessary to clean them out promptly. The technician also replaced the cabin air filter, which I didn’t know needed changing in a new car. The most surprising part was that they checked all the vehicle fluids thoroughly—details like brake fluid level and coolant concentration were all inspected. The tire pressure was adjusted very precisely, and they even did a free wheel balancing for all four tires, which stopped the steering wheel from shaking when turning. It’s advisable to read the manual before the first maintenance to ensure you don’t miss any manufacturer-recommended items—some 4S shops might skip checking the transmission fluid. Remember to bring the maintenance manual, or you might have to make an extra trip.
