When should the new Lavida change its engine oil?

[Morris]

Lavida new car only needs to change the engine oil during the first maintenance. The first maintenance time is 3000 to 5000 kilometers or 3 months, whichever comes first. Engine oil is the lifeblood of a car, that is, engine lubricating oil, which can lubricate and reduce wear, assist in cooling, seal and prevent leakage, prevent rust and corrosion, and absorb shock for the engine. The Lavida is a compact car launched by SAIC Volkswagen, with a length, width and height of 4670mm, 1806mm and 1474mm respectively, and a wheelbase of 2688mm. The car is equipped with a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine, with a maximum horsepower of 113ps and a maximum torque of 145nm.

[VanFrank]

My Lavida has been running for almost three years. I changed the engine oil at the first service when it reached 5,000 km, but the 4S technician said new cars don’t need such frequent changes. The manufacturer’s manual recommends changing the oil every 10,000 km or 12 months after the first service, as full synthetic oil can handle it. I drive daily in city rush-hour traffic and now change it at 12,000 km, but last year before a highway trip back home, I specifically changed the oil early. I suggest everyone pay attention to the dashboard maintenance reminder light—when the yellow light comes on, don’t delay, especially during the high-temperature summer months. You can also check the oil dipstick monthly to observe the color; if it turns deep brown, it’s time to prepare for a change. Don’t wait until the engine sound becomes muffled to take action.

[AxelRose]

My friend bought a Lavida and keeps asking me about maintenance. I told him the most important thing is not to believe the dealership's recommendation to change the oil every six months. If you don't drive 10,000 km a year after the first service, there's no need to change it—full synthetic oil lasts much longer. My Lavida has been gathering dust in the garage all year, and I only drove 4,000 km last year. The dealership kept pushing for an oil change, but I refused. What you really need to pay attention to is the driving conditions: if you're often stuck in traffic, change the oil at 8,000 km; if you mostly drive on highways, you can delay it to 15,000 km. Buying your own oil and filter and having a small shop change it costs just 300 yuan, half the price of a dealership.

[LaKaleb]

The oil change for a new Lavida is divided into three stages: the first maintenance at 5,000 kilometers is mandatory to replace the break-in oil containing metal shavings; the second maintenance at 10,000 kilometers switches to semi-synthetic oil; thereafter, full synthetic oil should be replaced every 12,000 to 15,000 kilometers. Our repair shop often encounters owners rushing in at 5,000 kilometers, wasting money and resources unnecessarily. The key is to monitor the oil life monitoring system, which displays the remaining percentage on the central control screen. I teach customers a practical trick: touch the oil cap 20 minutes after parking—if it's scalding hot, it indicates the oil is aging quickly and needs replacement. In northern winters with temperatures below -20°C, it's essential to use 0W-grade oil; otherwise, cold starts can damage the engine.

[StMaverick]

When I first got my Lavida last year, I also struggled with the oil change interval. The maintenance manual suggested 10,000 km, but veteran drivers advised moving it up to 7,000 km after the first service. Later, a friend in auto repair tested my used oil with instruments and said the viscosity of full synthetic only started exceeding standards at 9,000 km. Now I strictly change at 9,000 km, saving 3,000 km more than the dealership's recommendation. Lavida owners who do lots of highway driving can even stretch to 12,000 km - the key is monitoring oil consumption. If it drops over 0.3L per 1,000 km, change early. Pro tip: avoid cheap mineral oil - full synthetic lasts 5,000 km longer for better value.