What exactly are the maintenance projects? Is it an iq tax? This is the confusion that every owner will encounter. Automobile maintenance appears to be complex and rules-based, with the core being built around the four core components of “engine, gearbox, chassis, electrical systems”, where the maintenance cycles and projects vary greatly。
Data from a vehicle complaints platform in 2024 show that 35 per cent of vehicle failures resulted from inadequate maintenance — either the fluids to be replaced were not changed in time or were tricked into unnecessary projects. For example, 5,000 kilometres are replaced by spark plugs (actually 30,000 kilometres can run), and 100,000 kilometres are not replaced by transformer tank oil (which causes valve wear)。
Taking into account the experience of the 10-year teacher at the car repair plant, the present paper compiles a “full list of auto maintenance” based on projects (e. G. Oil, filter cores), regular inspection projects (e. G. Brake blades, tyres), and needs-based selection projects (e. G. Gas-saving door cleaning), specifying the roles, cycles, costs and pit-sheltering points of each project. For example, oil replacement is not only a mileage but also a fluid condition; brake blade thickness below 3 mm must be replaced, otherwise the brake safety will be affected. Whether you are the owner of the new car or the old driver, it is clear from this that what you should do with the maintenance of your car, when you should do it, and avoid spending your money。
I. Engine systems: the car's “heart”, with a delivery during
(i) oil and filter core replacement: 5000-10000 km required
The oil is referred to as the “blood” of the engine, which is responsible for the three main functions of lubrication, cooling and cleaning, and if it fails, the engine wears more than triple。
Replacement period:
Mineral oils: 5,000 km or 6 months (fit for old cars, natural gas engines)
Semi-synthetic oils: 7,500 km or 9 months (based on value for money and protection)
Total composite oils: 10000 km or 12 months (turbo pressurized, direct spray engine preferred)。
Note:
(b) the use of oil oil labels (e. G., 5w-30, 0w-20) which are consistent with the vehicle manual and which, if not correctly marked, would cause lubricants
The oil must be replaced simultaneously with oil filtration cores (infested impurities in oil), and the oil must be changed in isolation equal to white
Don't take lightly the propaganda of “life-free oil” and even a complete synthesis of oil can turn into oxidation more than 15,000 kilometres。
“my car, with the `high-end oil' recommended by 4s, said it could run 15,000 kilometres, resulting in a noise of an engine for 12,000 kilometres, and the oil mud was removed and found to be blocking the oil lane.” the jenan owner's experience reminds us that oil replacement cannot be unduly prolonged。
(ii) air- and air-conditioning-filtration cores: do not wait until blocked
The two filter cores are “face masks” for engines and crews, and their role is to filter impurities and protect core components。
Air filter core:
(a) effects: filter the air into the engine to prevent dust, sand-particle grinding cylinders and pistons
Replacement period: 15,000 km or 1 year (smog-smoged area reduced to 10,000 km)
Self-checking method: the filter core is removed and must be replaced if the surface is clearly ash and dark (but can do it on its own at a cost of only $30-50)。
Air-conditioning filter core:
Effects: filtering of air entering the cab, blocking pollen, pm2. 5, fungus, etc.
Change cycle: 10,000 km or 6 months (recommended for early replacement during summer when air conditioners are frequent)
Pipes: it is good not to buy “activated carbon filter cores” and some of the poor products have poor air penetration, leading to lower air-conditioning winds。
“the air-conditioning cores were not changed last winter, the smell of which was always felt when the heat was opened, and it was discovered that the cores were full of fungus, which caused inflammation.” the lessons learned by wuhan owners illustrate the healthy nature of air conditioning cores。
(iii) firecrackers: “imposter” affecting power and fuel consumption
The spark plugs are responsible for lighting the gas mixture in the gas tank, which, after aging, leads to twitching, acceleration and rising fuel consumption。
Life expectancy varies from material to material:
Nickel alloy spark plugs: 30,000 km (economic model prototype)
Platinum spark plugs: 60,000 km (common medium end model)
Pyramid piping: 100,000 km (turbo presses, high performance engines)。
Replace signal:
Cold start-up difficulties that require multiple ignitions
(a) the engine is clearly shaking at a low speed and has suffered a setback at an acute acceleration
Fuel consumption is 1-2l/100 km higher than usual。
“six thousand kilometres of firecrackers were not replaced, the high-speed power suddenly fell, the dashboards were lighted and towed to the repair plant and three spark plugs were burned.” the experience of drivers in guangzhou proves that spark plugs cannot be held up。
(iv) air-saving door cleaning: must be done in case of a lack of speed
The gas-saving doors are “valves” to control engine inflow, and excessive carbon accumulation leads to irregular inflow, resulting in a glitch and low and start-up of cardon。
Cleaning cycle: 20,000-30,000 kilometres (a direct blow-out engine recommends 20,000 kilometres for clean-up once with more carbon)
Correct method:
Dismantling (recommended): dismantling the gas-saving door to clean up carbon accumulation on edges at a cost of $80-150
Free of dereliction: purge via vent, with limited effect and suitable for light carbon accumulation。
Pivot: don't be fooled by the “pull-up power surge”, and normal cleaning will only restore the momentum and will not enhance performance。
The speedbox system: “dynamic transmission hub”, which is the most expensive maintenance facility to repair
(i) refuelling of transformer tanks: significant variations by type
The transformer tank oil is responsible for the lubrication of gear gear, transmission power, heat dispersion, which, after aging, results in a change of block, acoustic noise and even valve damage (maintenance costs are high)。
At gearbox:
(a) replacement cycle: 60,000-80,000 kilometres (gravity for oil) or 80,000-100,000 kilometres (cycle for oil)
Caution: atf oil must be used from the original plant and cannot be used in combination with different brands (e. G. Essin and electrofuc fluid characteristics differ)。
Cvt gearbox:
(a) replacement period: 40,000-6,000 kilometres (screen structure with high requirements for oil cleaning)
Note: only cvt oil can be used, and the misoil can cause the belt to slide and speedbox to be scrapped。
Dct gearbox:
Dry dct: 40,000-6,000 km of gear exchange oil (without hydraulic fluids)
Wet dct: 60,000-80,000 km for both gear and hydraulic fluids。
“friends' cvt gearbox has not changed the oil for 80,000 kilometres, and now it's a replica of `snaping'. The case of chengdu owner warns us that the fuel of the gearbox cannot be saved。
(ii) vector filter core: do not miss this "cleaner"
Partial transformer boxes (e. G. At, wet dct) with filter cores for filtering impurities in oil must be replaced at the same time:
Effects: prevention of metal shredding, oil sludge jamming valves and oil routes
Cost: core + approximately $100-300 (ten times less than speedbox maintenance)
Note: some of the vehicle-type filter cores are embedded in the shell, and the filtration cores need to be replaced with the shell gasket (to prevent oil spills)。
The chassis system: security in relation to the vehicle, not just the wheel births
(i) tire maintenance: wear to alert line must be replaced
Tyres are the only components that come into contact with the ground and wear and age directly affect brakes, shifts and grips。
Replace signal:
(b) treaddeepth (treaddepth) is less than 1. 6 mm (with wear and tear alerts, if exposed)
Fracking on the side, drum packs (aging or impact resulting in the continued use of potential flat tires)
More than five years of use (e. G. Even if the wear and tear are low, the rubber can get old and hard and the grip of the ground reduced)。
Daily maintenance:
(a) monthly examination of the foetal pressure (in cold form, a standard value indicated by the reference door column, which increases fuel consumption and is too high to explode)
Change places per 20,000 km (cross-change to make wear and tear more even and to increase life)。
“the high-speed flat was about to explode, and then it was discovered that the tires were six years old, with small cracks all over the side of the tire, and they were not noticed at all.” the sian master's adventure reminds us that the life of tyres is not just a mileage。
(ii) brakes and brake plates: spare parts for survival are worn out
The brake blades are vulnerable items, wear and tear to the limit will cause the brakes to fail and must be checked periodically:
Replacement period:
Brake blades: 30,000-50,000 kilometres (high rate of wear and tear in urban congestion and slow rate)
Brake drive: 60,000-100,000 km (the thickness below standard must be replaced, otherwise the brake effect will be affected)。
Self-checking method:
(a) “creaking” metal frictions (brakes scratched into alarms) when stepping on the brakes
The brake pedal is longer and the brake distance increases significantly。
“the brakes were sharpened to iron, and the brakes were also worn out. The brakes, which were 300 dollars, now cost $1,200 together.” the lessons learned by the owner of the stone house show that the brakes were worn out。
(iii) deck armoured and rustproof: required by southern owner
The chassis is subject to prolonged exposure to mud and snow melts and is prone to rust and corrosion, especially in rain-fed areas of the south:
(a) effect: a rustproof coating is sprayed on the chassis to prevent metallic rust (especially the naked piping of the chassis, the interface)
(a) cars suitable for vehicle types: frequent traffic in bad roads, coastal cities, snow areas in the north
Pipe-screeching point: the new car leaves the plant with a base of rustproofing, and there is no need to make a “ten-storey armour”, with a focus on the cracks and the inner side of the wheel。
Iv. Electrosystems: don't let small problems fall down the road
(i) accumulation batteries: it's a problem to lose fire
Car batteries typically have a life span of 2-3 years, which, after aging, results in failure to start and failure to start after a fire。
Replace signal:
When the cold starts, the dashboard lights are dim and the motor turns slow
Listen to the radio, turn on the air conditioner after the fire has shut down, and there will be no fire in half an hour (reduced power storage)
Battery observation holes become black (some of the models are green, normal and black needs replacement)。
Skills for life extension:
Avoiding the use of electrical appliances (e. G. Air conditioning, car lights) for long periods of time after the fire has ceased
Long-term non-drive (more than one week) can be severed at negative extremes (preventing slow failure)。
“when we're back home for 10 days, the car won't burn, and after the call, 4s says that the battery's life is over, and that it costs $600, if only it was cut off early.” hangzhou's owner's experience was very representative。
(ii) light checking: not until a fine is imposed
Light failure not only affects the safety of the vehicle, but may also be fined by the traffic police:
Periodic inspection: monthly check on the regularity of the near-distant light, the steering light, the brake light, the light
Replacement cost: regular light bulbs of $10-50 (self-service, reference vehicle manual replacement)
Note: leds have a long lifetime (5-100,000 km), but the damage requires an overall replacement at a higher cost (300-1000)。
V. “deep conservation” according to choice of needs: these projects do not go blind
(i) engine carbon washing: symptoms before doing
Direct-jet engines are easy to generate carbon (bound to gas doors, piston tops) but not all cars need to be cleaned:
Status to be achieved:
(b) whispering, impotence and abnormally high fuel consumption
Cold start-up difficulties, frequent shut-off
Direct spray vehicles driving over 60,000 kilometres。
What should not be done:
(a) new vehicles (in 30,000 kilometres, with little carbon accumulation, cleaning may damage components)
There are no symptoms (purely 4s sales)。
Correct way:
Light carbon accumulation: high-quality fuel treasures (selection of pes components, partially dissolved carbon)
Severe carbon accumulation: brushing into gas channels, gas doors (at a cost of $500-800, full effect)。
(ii) water tank cooling fluids: no tap water
The cooling fluids are responsible for cooling the engines while preventing the tanks from freezing and corrosive:
(a) replacement period: 2-3 years or 4-60,000 km (long-lasting cooling fluids can be extended to 5 years)
Note:
The use of cooling fluids of the same colour as the original vehicle (red, green not mixed, chemical reaction)
A shortage of liquids can only be filled with cooling fluids and not with piped water (containing minerals, which can produce water to plug water tanks)。
(iii) brake oil: water intake leads to failure of brakes
The brake oil is water-absorption, it is used long enough to blend into the moisture, produce bubbles at high temperatures, and influence brake effects:
Change cycle: 2 years or 40,000 kilometres (both mileage and time)
(a) methods of detection: water coverage by specialized instruments must be replaced by more than 3 per cent
Cost: $200-400 (in exchange, the price is very high)。
Vi. Guidelines for the conservation of pits: most of these projects are iq taxes
(b) “inner-engine cleaning”: new vehicles or vehicles regularly refuelled do not have to do, and heavy oil mud cleaning may lead to congestion
(a) “motivated cleaning of gearbox”: the recycler has been refuelled completely and the additional washing agent may damage the seal
(a) “car sealed glue conservation”: the spraying of protective agents is of limited effect and may accelerate the ageing of the tape, with regular clean-up
“physical cleaning of fuel systems”: unless there are obvious symptoms, it is only necessary to periodically add qualified fuel treasures。
“the last maintenance was recommended as a `triple dollar catalyzed clean-up', which cost $600, and then asked master to say that my car was only 20,000 kilometers, which was unnecessary.” the experience of nanjing owners reminds us that conservation is not as good as projects。
Vii. Key for keeping the biennium of cars: a good collection of new drivers
New vehicles within one year: basic maintenance only (oil, machine filtering, empty filtering) and other items not to be marketed
2-3 year vehicle: focus on checking batteries, tyres, replacement of air-conditioning cores and replacement of transformer tank oil with manual
4-5 year vehicle: replacement of brake plates, spark plugs, cleaning of gas-saving doors and examination of chassis for rust protection
Cars older than six years: comprehensive inspection of rubber pieces (sealed, piped), suspension systems, early replacement of ageing components。
Summary: “do as needed, do not overdo” at the heart of car maintenance
There is no one-size-fits-all formula for vehicle maintenance, which is judged in terms of vehicle manuals, use of the environment, symptoms: the fluids were replaced on time (oil, gear tank oil) and vulnerable items (brakes, tyres) were replaced by broken ones, and the “deep conservation” project was done only when there were symptoms。
Remember: the purpose of conservation is to increase the life of the vehicle and ensure the safety of the vehicle, not to buy “good peace” blindly. Costing small sums for basic maintenance is far more expensive than spending a lot of money on troubleshooting. If you can't decide whether a project should be done, ask yourself: “does not affect security? Do vehicles have symptoms?” consider these two problems clearly and avoid 80 per cent of the conservation trap。
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