When is the best time for car maintenance?
3 Answers
Car maintenance is best done every six months. Also known as car servicing, it refers to the preventive work of regularly inspecting, cleaning, replenishing, lubricating, adjusting, or replacing certain parts of the car. Car maintenance mainly includes servicing the engine system, transmission system, air conditioning system, etc., with the aim of keeping the car clean, maintaining normal technical conditions, eliminating potential hazards, preventing faults, and extending the service life. The content of car maintenance includes: 1. Changing the engine oil, oil filter, and cleaning the air filter, checking whether the generator belt and wiper blades are damaged; 2. Checking whether the levels of various fluids are normal; 3. Checking whether the tire pressure is normal and whether there is any uneven wear, bulging, or damage to the tires; 4. Inspecting the car chassis, including the brake pads, brake discs, connecting rods, ball joints, and CV joints for any scratches; 5. Checking all switches and lights in the car to ensure they are working properly.
I usually decide the car maintenance schedule based on mileage and time. My car gets serviced every 5,000 kilometers or every six months, which is the regular standard recommended by the manufacturer's manual. If you often drive in congested urban areas with poor road conditions and heavy dust, it's better to shorten the interval to every 4,000 kilometers or four months. I recently switched to an SUV and found it consumes more fuel than a sedan, so the maintenance intervals need extra attention. I also check tire pressure and the oil dipstick monthly—simple maintenance can extend the vehicle's lifespan. Regular servicing not only maintains performance but also prevents unexpected breakdowns on the road, avoiding delays. Overall, timely maintenance makes the car more reliable and gives peace of mind while driving.
I think maintenance intervals should consider driving habits and usage conditions. For me, since I frequently drive on highways, an oil change every 7,500 kilometers is sufficient. However, if you often drive on dirt roads or in mountainous areas where the oil is prone to contamination, you should advance the inspection of filters to every 5,000 kilometers. Additionally, don't forget seasonal changes; service the air conditioning system before summer, and replace the coolant and check the battery before winter to avoid breakdowns. Having driven several cars, I've found that minor maintenance costs are low but save on major repairs; for example, delaying an oil change accelerates engine wear. Develop the habit of keeping detailed maintenance records—don't rely on guesswork.
