Car maintenance peaks after the holiday. Booking maintenance in advance can save more time.

by langrentoh1 on 2012-02-10 13:40:07

After the holiday, car maintenance peaks; booking in advance saves time. With the end of the Mid-Autumn Festival and the arrival of the National Day long holiday, checking the vehicle after or before traveling has once again become a concern for car owners. Recently, I interviewed several technical directors from Beijing 4S stores who told me that whether you're a car owner returning from a trip during the Mid-Autumn Festival or planning to travel during the National Day holiday, it's best to visit a 4S store for a post-travel or pre-travel inspection to ensure the safety of your vehicle and a smooth journey.

"Generally, 4S stores will see a peak period for vehicle inspections and maintenance after holidays. Nowadays, 4S stores offer advance reservation services. If car owners can call ahead to schedule a time, it will save a lot of time," a technical director from a FAW-Volkswagen 4S store reminded.

I learned that after the long holiday, many car owners discovered issues with their engines due to refueling at individual gas stations where they accidentally filled up with substandard fuel, causing significant damage to the fuel system. This could lead to problems such as difficulty starting the car and insufficient power.

"If car owners find faults like engine shaking or clogged fuel injectors, they should promptly seek help at a repair station. If the fault is severe, the entire fuel supply system may need replacement because low-quality fuel contains high levels of sulfur, which produces a yellow gum after combustion. This substance cannot be completely removed," said the aforementioned technical director.

According to my understanding, self-driving trips can range from hundreds to thousands of kilometers, greatly depleting various auxiliary liquids. Therefore, the aforementioned technical director suggests that car owners check all kinds of fluids, including motor oil, gear oil, brake fluid, etc. Additionally, since self-driving often involves night driving, battery power consumption is significant. The instrument panel primarily displays driving data to the driver, so if any anomalies occur, there may be potential hazards. After returning from a self-driving trip, car owners should check if the battery is fully charged, if the lights are functioning properly, and if the instrument display is normal.

For those who did not travel during the Mid-Autumn Festival but plan to do so during the National Day holiday, a technical director from a Changan Ford 4S store believes that self-driving vehicles typically travel on bumpy roads for extended periods. Before departure, car owners should ideally conduct routine maintenance and checks, especially focusing on the chassis, brakes, steering system, tires, and the car’s computer control system to eliminate potential faults that might arise during future travels.

To avoid overcrowding for maintenance and repairs, the aforementioned technical director suggests customers make reservations in advance. It is understood that reserved customers can enjoy pre-arranged service bays at 4S stores, eliminating the need for waiting in line. However, car owners should try to arrive on time as scheduled to avoid delays.