Every time i go to a 4s shop or repair shop, the owners always say, "do you want to keep an eye on the car?" some say it's the stupidest thing to look like a prison guard and not trust a teacher; others say it's just giving you a chance to change oil, add unnecessary items, or lose yourself。
As of 1 january 2026, the new version of the motor vehicle maintenance, detection and diagnosis technical instructions (gb/t 18344-2025) was officially implemented, together with the dual escort of the motor vehicle maintenance regulations, the regulation on the responsibility for the replacement of repository goods by repairs to domestic car products, which has led to a much clearer answer to numerous vehicle owners. Today, we're going to tell you the whole story, so you're not going to be stupid, you're not going to get caught。
I. Why would anyone say, "standing around is the stupidest?" both extremes are lost
Let's start with why someone thinks it's stupid to be around the car. The old driver, master wang, spent 15 years working for the car, told me, "i'm the one who's most afraid of showing hands and feet next to the main station, and later said, "teacher, be gentle." that's the right step, 'cause you could've done it in half an hour. It is true that excessive interference in the operation of technicians not only affects efficiency but may distract teachers, which can be problematic。
There are people who think it's useless to keep it. You don't know the technique. You can't tell. For example, the fact that oil is clean, the fact that filter cores are new is difficult to determine. And there's no need to stare like a thief。
But, on the contrary, it is not possible to remain completely silent. In its 2025 report, cpjt noted that 78 per cent of the owners were over-consumption of maintenance, with an average annual waste of over $3,000. My neighbor zhang suffered a loss when he drove 20,000 kilometres last year, and the 4s store said it would take 6,800 dollars to change gear tanks and brake oil. It was only after a review of the maintenance manual that it was found that the transformer tank oil had been recommended for 80,000 kilometres, that the anti-freeze fluid had been used for eight years and that thousands of pieces had been wasted in vain。
Even worse, the master changed his new air filter to an old one with no eye on the owner's maintenance and said, “this is it”. While this is not a small case, it is disturbing to meet once。
Two, 2026 new rules to support the owner of the car
The new 2026 code, which is nothing more than a “protector” for the owner of the car, has now been explicitly banned from many of the previous trades. Let's be clear, it's all about your pocket:
1. Who rules the maintenance cycle? It's not 4s, it's instructions
The new technical specifications make it clear that the maintenance cycle should be carried out in accordance with the vehicle usage instructions, not only by time or mileage, but by which date. For example, if you use full-synthetic oil, which is 5,000 kilometres a year, and 4s, which calls you for a six-month change, you can just ask, "scientific evidence!", which simply terminates the “time-to-time” formula。
It's up to you not to tie up
The new regulations emphasize once again that no unit can compel you to maintain the specified shop except for the factory's recall and exclusive three packages. Quality assurance will not be affected as long as it is maintained in a regularly qualified repair plant with qualified spare parts and in accordance with plant specifications. That means you don't have to go to 4s for quality assurance。
3. Maintenance information must be made public. There's no way to cheat
The code of eco-environment, which will be in force on 15 august 2026, provides for a penalty of 50,000 to 500,000 for non-compliance with the requirements of repairing technical information. In the future, you want to know how the car should be repaired and what parts it needs to be replaced, and you can find the exact information, without being deceived by the master: “this part is only our shop”。
4. Spare parts and working hours shall be transparent and free of arbitrary charges
The new regulations require maintenance stores to be priced, spare parts to be branded, specified, priced and hours worked to be advertised. You can ask to read the price list before maintaining it, and you can change it to another family if you find it unreasonable to do so。
Iii. The insiders teach you how to do it better than to do it all
"the smartest driver, not the supervisor who's watching all the way, or the boss who doesn't care about anything, but the man who knows the rules and who's watching." in connection with the new rule 2026, four practical approaches have been drawn up
1. Sub-items decide whether to keep them or not, not one size fits all
Primary insurance/complicated projects: initial insurance is free of charge and key nodes are recommended to see, for example, whether the oil model is correct or whether the filter core is original. Complex projects such as engine overhauls and gearbox maintenance are best monitored throughout the rest area and communicated in a timely manner。
General minor maintenance: the simple work of changing oil, filtering cores and choosing a regular store does not have to do the whole job. However, pre-maintenance inspections of oil, filtering of cores and replacement of old items are required, leaving evidence。
2. Use technology to be more effective than your eyes
There are now “transparent workshops” in many 4s stores and chains, allowing real-time access to maintenance through mobile phones. And there's a whole video, and you can ask for a copy, and if there's a problem, that's the best evidence. The new regulations of 2026 also encourage maintenance shops to install controls to protect the rights and interests of the owner。
Pre-maintenance, no “white” vehicles lord
It took 10 minutes to flip the vehicle instructions and record the maintenance cycle and the project. For example, total composite oils are changed once a year or 10,000 km, air filter cores are changed once a year, air-conditioning cores are changed once a month. If you know this, you can just refuse to recommend anything you don't need。
4. Preservation of documents and protection of rights
After maintenance, invoices, maintenance lists and replacements must be obtained. The list should be clear on the parts ' brand, specifications, prices and hours worked. The new regulations of 2026 make it clear that these certificates are an important basis for your access to quality assurance and protection of rights and that they may be lost in great loss。
Iv. True case: the owner of the car who did it saves both heart and money
Let's see how smart drivers do it:
Case 1: ms. Wang's “smart supervision” act
Ms. Wang's car, which was used for 60,000 kilometres of maintenance, did not stand by the entire distance, but checked the maintenance manual in advance, knowing that other items were not required to change gear tank oil and brake oil. During her maintenance, she saw the key steps through the transparency workshop in the rest area: she confirmed the colour of the old oil when the master removed the oil casings of the transformer; and checked the model of the oil when the new oil was added. In the end, old filter cores and invoices were requested for less than one hour, which was more than $2,000 less than the offer for 4s。
Case 2: mr. Zhang successfully defended his rights with the new rules
Mr. Zhang performed routine maintenance at the outside workshop, and the 4s store stated that he was relieved of his security and did not fail to repair the engine. He provided invoices, lists, certificates of entitlement for spare parts at the time of maintenance, as well as instructions for the use of vehicles, proving that his maintenance was in full compliance with the 2026 motor vehicle maintenance management regulations. Finally, 4s had to be repaired free of charge, and he was reimbursed for travel expenses。
These two examples tell us that under the new 2026 regulations, the owner of a car no longer has to rely on “resistence” to protect himself, understand the rules, monitor more than anything else。
Summary: smart drivers did so in 2026
1. To reject two extremes: not to stare at the master all the way, and not to look at anything as a handshake。
2. Use of new weapons: remember the maintenance cycle, read the instructions, do not bind and the maintenance information is made public。
3. Knowledge of supervisory techniques: the subproject determines the manner of supervision, uses transparent workshops/monitoring, and maintains all vouchers。
4. Sufficient work ahead of schedule: know how to maintain your car and not be deceived into unnecessary projects。
Indeed, the core of maintenance is “norm” rather than “supervisory”. The new regulations of 2026 were introduced in order to make maintenance more transparent and standardized, so that owners and repair shops could work under the rules. When the whole industry is regulated, it's natural for the owner not to worry about being around。
