Basic car maintenance is key to ensuring vehicle safety and extending its service life. It mainly includes regular replacement of engine oil and oil filters (mineral oil every 5,000 kilometres or 6 months, semi-synthetic oil every 7,500 kilometres or 9 months, fully synthetic oil every 10,000 kilometres or 12 months). The interval should be adjusted according to climate and road conditions; for example, the replacement interval needs to be shortened in high-temperature and dusty environments. The air filter is recommended to be replaced every 10,000 kilometres or 1 year, and the air conditioning filter every 10,000 kilometres or 6 months, with a focus on inspection before the rainy season. Tyres must be replaced immediately if the tread depth is less than 1.6mm or there is a bulge, and It is best to rotate tyres every 8,000 kilometres to balance wear. The brake system requires regular inspection of brake pad thickness (must be replaced if less than 3mm) and brake fluid condition (replace every 2 years or 40,000 kilometres; immediate action is required if water content exceeds 3%). In addition, coolant should be replaced every 2 years or 40,000 kilometres, and tap water should not be used for dilution. Battery terminals need to be cleaned to prevent corrosion, and wiper blades should be replaced promptly if there are scratches or abnormal noises. Car owners can perform simple tasks themselves, such as adding windshield washer fluid or replacing filters, but complex components like transmission oil (automatic transmission: replace approximately every 60,000 kilometres) and timing belt (inspect every 80,000-100,000 kilometres) are recommended to be handled by professional technicians. Maintenance must strictly follow the requirements of the vehicle manual, and complete records should be kept to maintain warranty rights. Scientific maintenance not only avoids sudden failures but also improves fuel economy and saves maintenance costs in the long run.
