Daily Vehicle Maintenance: Key Considerations for Longevity, Safety, and Cost Savings

Daily vehicle maintenance is critical for extending vehicle lifespan, ensuring driving safety, and reducing long-term repair costs. It requires systematic attention across four core dimensions: fluids, wear parts, key systems, and driving habits. Below are specific guidelines, categorized by maintenance priority and frequency:

I. High-Frequency Core Maintenance: Replace on Schedule—No Delays Allowed

These items directly affect the operation of critical components like the engine and transmission. Strictly follow the vehicle’s Maintenance Manual (rather than relying solely on the general "5.000 km/6 months" rule, as standards vary by vehicle model and fluid type).

1. Engine-Related Fluids: The "Blood" of the Vehicle

Engine Oil (Engine Lubricant)

Replacement Interval:

Mineral oil: 5.000 km / 6 months

Semi-synthetic oil: 7.500 km / 8 months

Full-synthetic oil: 10.000–15.000 km / 12 months

(Follow the "first-come-first-served" principle—replace at whichever milestone is reached first.)

For long-term low-speed, short-distance driving (e.g., urban commutes under 10 km per trip), shorten the interval (e.g., replace full-synthetic oil every 8.000 km to prevent oil emulsification and deterioration).

Precautions:

Use oil that matches the engine’s specified viscosity grade (e.g., 0W-20 for most Japanese vehicles, 5W-40 for German vehicles—refer to the manual). Using the wrong grade causes insufficient lubrication or increased fuel consumption.

Replace the oil filter simultaneously with each oil change (it filters impurities from the oil; skipping this makes the oil change ineffective).

Check oil level regularly (via the dipstick, when the engine is cold). The level must be between the "MIN" and "MAX" marks. Avoid low oil levels (risk of engine seizure) or overfilling (increases crankshaft resistance and may cause oil burning).

Coolant (Antifreeze)

Replacement Interval:

Standard coolant: 2 years / 40.000 km

Long-life coolant: 5 years / 100.000 km

(Check the coolant type—details are in the manual.)

Precautions:

Never add tap water directly (it causes scale buildup, corrodes the radiator, and freezes in low temperatures, cracking components). Use coolant with an appropriate freezing point (below -40°C for northern regions, below -25°C for southern regions).

Check the level when the engine is cold: the coolant should be between the "LOW" and "FULL" marks on the reservoir. Refill with the same brand and type if low (mixing coolants of different colors causes chemical reactions and sediment buildup).

2. Transmission Fluid: Ensures Smooth Shifting

Replacement Intervals:

Manual Transmission (MT): 40.000–60.000 km / 4 years

Automatic Transmission (AT): 60.000–80.000 km / 6 years (some long-life AT fluids last up to 100.000 km)

Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT): 60.000 km for dry-type DCT; 80.000–100.000 km for wet-type DCT

Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT): 60.000–80.000 km (CVTs have strict fluid requirements—overdue replacement causes belt slippage).

Precautions:

Use transmission-specific fluid (e.g., ATF for AT, CVT fluid for CVT—never mix types). The wrong fluid severely damages the transmission.

Some vehicles require "power flushing" (for thorough replacement, uses more fluid), while others use "gravity draining." Follow the manual’s instructions.

3. Brake Fluid & Power Steering Fluid

Brake Fluid

Replacement Interval: 2 years / 40.000 km

(Key reason: Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air, lowering its boiling point. Bubbles form at high temperatures, leading to brake failure.)

Precautions: Bleed air from the brake lines after replacement (to avoid air bubbles). Check the level regularly—refill with the same grade if below "MIN."

Power Steering Fluid (for hydraulic power steering; electric power steering requires no fluid)

Replacement Interval: 30.000–40.000 km / 3 years. Replace early if the fluid becomes cloudy or contaminated.

Precautions: Refill with the specified type (e.g., ATF3309). Do not mix different brands.

II. Wear Part Maintenance: Regular Inspections + Replacement as Needed—Critical for Safety

Wear parts directly impact safety when worn beyond limits. Determine replacement based on both "mileage" and "actual condition."

1. Brake System: Brakes Are "Life-Saving Components"

Brake Pads

Replacement Signals:

Thickness < 3 mm (roughly the thickness of a coin edge)

Sharp squealing during braking (wear has reached the warning tab)

Longer brake pedal travel

Reference Interval: 30.000–50.000 km for urban commutes (frequent braking); 50.000–80.000 km for highway-dominant use. Replace left and right pads simultaneously to avoid brake drift.

Brake Discs

Replacement Signals:

Grooves deeper than 1.5 mm on the disc surface

Disc warping (steering wheel vibration during braking)

Thickness below the manual’s minimum limit (e.g., original thickness 28 mm, replace when worn to 26 mm)

Note: Brake discs are typically replaced at a "2:1" ratio with brake pads (replace discs once for every two pad replacements), but replace early if wear is severe.

2. Tires: Core for Support and Traction

Replacement Signals:

Tread depth < 1.6 mm (wear indicators in the tread grooves—replace when indicators are reached)

Cracks or bulges on the tread (bulges mean broken internal cords; immediate replacement is required to avoid blowouts)

Service life > 5 years (rubber hardens with age, reducing grip—even with low mileage)

Daily Inspections:

Tire pressure: Check monthly (when cold). Follow the "standard pressure" marked on the driver’s side B-pillar or fuel cap (e.g., 2.2–2.5 bar). Low pressure increases fuel consumption and shoulder wear; high pressure raises blowout risk.

Tire rotation: Rotate tires every 20.000–30.000 km (e.g., move front tires to the rear in a cross pattern). This prevents uneven wear on front tires (caused by steering and power transmission) and extends overall tire life.

3. Air Filter & Cabin Air Filter: Filter Impurities—Protect Health and Engine

Air Filter (Filters air entering the engine)

Replacement Interval: 10.000–20.000 km / 1 year. Shorten to 5.000 km if driving in dusty environments (e.g., construction sites, rural areas).

Inspection Method: Remove the filter—tap lightly or blow with compressed air to clean if surface dust/oil is visible. Replace if severely clogged (clogging reduces airflow, lowering engine power and increasing fuel consumption).

Cabin Air Filter (Filters air entering the vehicle interior)

Replacement Interval: 6 months / 10.000 km (especially during frequent AC use in summer/winter). Shorten to 3 months if driving in smoggy or congested areas.

Function: Blocks dust, pollen, and PM2.5 to protect respiratory health. Clogging reduces AC airflow and causes odors.

4. Battery (Storage Battery): Key for Starting

Lifespan Reference: 3–4 years for standard lead-acid batteries; 2–3 years for AGM start-stop batteries (frequent start-stop use shortens life).

Low-Power Signals:

"Clicking" sound during startup, weak cranking (slow engine rotation)

Dim dashboard lights, infotainment system restarting

Daily Protection:

Avoid using electrical systems (AC, music) with the engine off for over 30 minutes (risk of draining the battery).

For long-term parking (> 1 month), disconnect the battery’s negative terminal (to prevent slow discharge) or start the vehicle and idle for 10 minutes weekly to recharge.

III. Key System Inspections: No Regular Replacement—But Hidden Risks Must Be Addressed

These components do not require frequent replacement but need regular checks to prevent minor issues from escalating into major failures.

1. Engine System

Throttle Body Carbon Deposits: Clean every 20.000–30.000 km (especially for direct-injection engines). Excessive deposits cause unstable idling, weak acceleration, and higher fuel consumption.

Spark Plugs: Follow the manual’s replacement interval (e.g., 30.000 km for nickel-plated plugs, 60.000 km for platinum plugs, 100.000 km for iridium plugs). Replace early if electrode wear or severe carbon buildup is found during inspection.

Engine Belts (Timing Belt / Accessory Belt):

Timing belt: Replace every 60.000–100.000 km / 6 years (a broken timing belt destroys the engine—strictly follow the schedule).

Accessory belt (drives the alternator and AC compressor): Inspect every 40.000–60.000 km. Replace if cracks or abnormal noise occur.

2. Suspension & Steering Systems

Regular Inspections (every 20.000 km):

Suspension control arms and ball joints: Check for looseness (play when shaking the tire) and cracked/aged bushings (causes noise and misalignment).

Steering tie rods: Check for deformation (common after impacts) and loose joints (causes excessive steering play or drift).

Action Needed: If you hear noise over potholes, feel steering wheel vibration, or notice vehicle drift, inspect immediately to avoid abnormal tire wear ("tire feathering").

3. AC System

Pre-Summer Inspection (annually):

Cooling performance: If the air outlet temperature exceeds 10°C, refrigerant (R32 or R134a) may be low—seek professional testing and refilling.

Air Duct Cleaning: If the AC emits musty odors, clean the ducts and evaporator to prevent bacterial growth and protect health.

IV. Driving Habits: Details Determine Maintenance Effectiveness

Good driving habits reduce component wear and extend maintenance intervals:

Startup & Shutdown

After cold startup: Idle for 10–30 seconds (to ensure full oil lubrication of the engine) before driving slowly (avoid immediate heavy acceleration).

Before shutdown: Turn off the AC, lights, and infotainment system first (to reduce battery load during the next startup).

Driving Habits

Avoid frequent hard acceleration and braking (increases wear on the engine, brake pads, and tires).

Slow down over speed bumps and potholes (prevents suspension arm deformation and rim damage).

Do not drive at low RPM for long periods (e.g., frequent shifting below 1.500 RPM—prone to carbon buildup).

Parking & Cleaning

Park in a garage or shaded area when possible (avoids paint and rubber aging from sun exposure, and prevents brake freezing in winter).

Clean the vehicle regularly (focus on the undercarriage to remove mud and salt, which corrode components). In northern winters, apply undercarriage protection.

Conclusion

The core principle of vehicle maintenance is: "Follow the manual for base intervals, adjust based on actual conditions". While regular maintenance may seem costly upfront, it avoids expensive repairs (e.g., engine overhauls, transmission failures) and ensures safety on every trip.