Owning a car in India is not just about driving comfort—it is also about responsibility. Many people skip their car’s regular service, thinking it saves time or money. But in reality, skipping service is not just carelessness, it is a sin for your car.
In a country like India, where we face extreme heat, dusty roads, and endless traffic jams, taking proper care of your car becomes even more important. This article is a Complete Maintenance Guide for Petrol and Diesel Cars. It is written in simple words so that every car owner can understand when and why their car needs service.
Complete Maintenance Guide for Petrol and Diesel Cars- Why You Should Never Skip Car Service
Skipping service may seem like a small thing, but it affects your car’s health in the long run. When you sit in traffic jams, your engine is still running in idle condition. That means the engine continues working and oil is being consumed, even if the car is not moving.
If you only depend on distance (kilometers driven), you will never get the true picture. That’s why car manufacturers suggest time-based service also. So whether you look at time, kilometers, or fuel consumption, make sure you follow at least one method regularly.
Service Interval: Distance, Time, or Fuel?
Your car’s service can be planned in three ways:
- Distance-Based Service – Example: every 10,000 km.
- Time-Based Service – Example: every 6 months.
- Fuel Consumption Method – Count how many times you fill your fuel tank.
Example: Honda City 2019 (Petrol, Manual)
According to Honda, the service should be done every 6 months or 10,000 km.
- If a full fuel tank gives around 500 km, then for 10,000 km you will refill the tank 20 times.
- If you refill 3 times per month, in 6 months you will do around 18–20 fuel refills.
- This way, you can also use fuel refills as a way to track your service schedule.
This method is very useful for people who spend a lot of time in city traffic, where fuel and oil get consumed but kilometers covered remain low.
Engine Oil and Oil Filter
- For both petrol and diesel cars, engine oil and filter should be changed every 6 months or 10,000 km.
- For old cars, change oil earlier, around 5,000–7,500 km.
- In diesel cars, because of soot and turbo heat, many owners prefer changing oil every 7,000–8,000 km.
Fuel Filter
- Petrol car fuel filters have a long life but should be replaced between 40,000–80,000 km.
- In diesel cars, fuel filters may need earlier attention because of fuel impurities.
Coolant
Coolant keeps your engine temperature under control.
- In old cars, coolant should be changed every 2 years.
- In new cars, manufacturers use long-life coolant, which can last up to 5 years before replacement.
Gear Oil
- For manual transmission cars, gear oil should be changed every 40,000 km or 4–5 years.
- For automatic transmission cars, change transmission oil every 50,000–60,000 km or 5–6 years.
- Always follow the OEM (manufacturer’s recommendation) if they suggest an earlier change.
Brake Fluid
Brake fluid is one of the most ignored parts of servicing, but it is critical for safety.
- Change brake fluid every 2 years.
- Old brake fluid can cause brakes to fade, which is very dangerous.
Air Filter
Air filters directly affect your car’s performance and fuel efficiency.
- Replace the air filter every 15,000 km.
- If the filter is blocked, your car will lose power and fuel efficiency.
- Don’t forget to also change the cabin filter (AC filter), which many people ignore.
Power Steering Fluid
- If your car has hydraulic power steering, change steering fluid every 3–4 years or 40,000 km.
- But if your car has electronic power steering (EPS), you don’t have any fluid on steering.
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Conclusion: Which Method is Best?
We believe you should combine time-based service with fuel consumption method. Because in India’s real driving conditions, just following kilo-meters is not enough.
When you are stuck in traffic for hours, your car is working but the odometer does not show it. That’s why, by counting fuel refills, you can get a more accurate idea of when to service your car.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Why is it important to check car fluids regularly?
Regularly checking car fluids helps maintain smooth performance, prevents breakdowns, and saves money on costly repairs.
Q2. What other car fluids should I check regularly?
You should check engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and windshield washer fluid.
Q3. Is electronic power steering maintenance-free?
If your car has electronic power steering (EPS), then don’t worry, there is no fluid on steering.
Q4. Can I top up car fluids myself at home?
Yes, many fluids can be topped up at home with proper guidance, but major leaks or replacements should be handled by a mechanic.
Q5. What are the risks of ignoring car fluid maintenance?
Ignoring fluid maintenance can lead to overheating, steering failure, brake issues, and even complete engine damage.
Final Advice
Your car is like your partner on the road. Regular service is not a waste of money, it is an investment for safety, reliability, and longer car life.
- Don’t wait for breakdowns. Prevent them with timely service.
- Whether you follow distance, time, or fuel consumption method—never skip service.
- Always change oil, fluids, and filters at the right time.
Remember: Skipping service is not carelessness, it is a sin for your car.