Of course, different vehicle models have varying maintenance mileage intervals. However, with the increasingly steep maintenance costs at dealerships, truly understanding your car's major service mileage has become a hot topic. Below is a brief explanation of vehicle maintenance knowledge.
Major maintenance builds upon minor maintenance. Beyond replacing engine oil and the oil filter, it also includes changing the air filter and fuel filter. These filters respectively purify dust from the air and impurities from the fuel.
Smooth engine operation relies on the proper use of all maintenance components. Failing to replace the engine oil and three filters (air, fuel, oil) when they reach their service limits will adversely affect engine performance.
In developed regions like Western Europe, Japan, and Canada, where air quality is exceptionally clean and fuel standards are high, a 10,000-kilometer maintenance interval may suffice.
However, China's environmental conditions, road quality, and fuel standards differ significantly from those in Europe and America. Prolonged operation and parking in dusty environments increase impurities in the engine's intake system. This leads to incomplete combustion and carbon buildup within the engine. Without timely maintenance, fuel consumption tends to rise.
Additionally, domestic fuels in China contain slightly higher impurity levels, which can cause deposits to clog the three-way catalytic converter and result in exhaust system malfunctions.
Therefore, most automotive brands recommend that Chinese vehicle owners perform maintenance every 5,000 kilometers.
A major service is typically required when a vehicle reaches 30,000 kilometers, involving replacement of components such as engine oil and filter, air filter, fuel filter, power steering fluid, and spark plugs.
Most modern engines use lightweight, low-cost paper-element dry air filters that are easy to replace and highly efficient. These should be cleaned every 5,000 kilometers. To clean, remove the element and gently tap the ends. Blow compressed air from the inside out to dislodge dust—never wash with gasoline or water. Replace the air filter every 25,000 kilometers.
Regarding oil filters, most passenger car engines employ spin-on oil filters. These are non-reusable, disposable filters that must be replaced simultaneously with the lubricant during oil changes to prevent compromising oil quality. The recommended interval for replacing both oil and oil filter is also 5,000 kilometers.
During routine maintenance, technicians will conduct additional inspections based on the vehicle's condition and may add supplementary services. These may include: - Inspection, cleaning, and maintenance of engine-related systems - Wheel alignment checks - Inspection of all fastened components