Complete Guide to Car Maintenance Costs: Gas vs. Electric Vehicles

1. Gas Car Maintenance Costs

1.1 Service Intervals & Costs

Brand	Service Interval	Minor Service Cost	Major Service (60k km)	Free Service Policy
Toyota/Honda	10k km	¥400–600	¥2,500–3,500	1–2 free services (select models)
VW/Audi	7.5k km	¥800–1,200	¥4,000–6,000	Audi Q5L: 5 free basic services
Mercedes/BMW	10k km	¥1,200–1,800	¥6,000–9,000	BMW 3 Series: 1st service free

Typical Services:

• Minor: Engine oil + filter (incl. labor)

• Major: Transmission fluid, brake fluid, spark plugs, cabin filter

1.2 Wear-and-Tear Part Costs

Part	Replacement Cycle	Dealer Price	Third-Party Price
Tires	40k–60k km	¥800–2,000/tire	¥500–1,500/tire
Brake Pads	30k–50k km	¥600–1,200/set	¥300–800/set
Battery	3–5 years	¥800–1,500	¥500–1,000
Timing Belt	80k–100k km	¥2,000–4,000	¥1,500–3,000

Money-Saving Tips:

• Replace air/cabin filters yourself (saves 80%).

• Use manufacturer-approved aftermarket oil (e.g., Mobil 1 instead of OEM).

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2. EV & Hybrid Maintenance Features

2.1 EV Service Items

Item	Check Interval	Cost	Notes
Battery/Motor Check	10k km	¥200–400	Warranty requirement
Brake Fluid	2 years	¥300–500	Less frequent than gas cars
Gearbox Fluid	40k–60k km	¥600–1,000	Some models only
Cabin Filter	10k km	¥150–300	Same as gas cars

Cost Advantage:

• Tesla Model 3: ¥2,800 for 100k km (1/5th of gas cars).

• BYD Seal: Free battery warranty + 4 free services for 1st owners.

2.2 Hybrid Dual Maintenance

• Engine: Oil changes (extended to 15k km intervals).

• Motor: Coolant checks.

• Example: Toyota Hybrid (60k km): ~¥4,500 (30% cheaper than gas).

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3. EV Battery Lifespan & Warranties

3.1 Battery Degradation

Battery Type	Cycles	Annual Degradation	Replacement Cost
LFP	3,000–5,000	2–3%	¥800–1,200/kWh
NMC	2,000–3,000	3–5%	¥1,000–1,500/kWh

Real-World Data:

• Tesla Model 3 (NMC): 92% capacity after 100k km.

• BYD Han (LFP): 88% after 200k km.

3.2 Warranty Policies

Brand	Battery Warranty	Exclusions
BYD	Lifetime (1st owner, <70% capacity)	>30k km/year or non-dealer service
Tesla	8Y/160k km (<70%)	Physical damage
NIO	Unlimited mileage/years (1st owner)	Missed monthly health checks
Toyota	8Y/200k km (NiMH only)	Hybrid models only

Key Notes:

• Frequent fast charging (>80%) accelerates degradation.

• Storage below -20°C causes permanent damage.

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4. Cost-Saving Maintenance Guide

4.1 Universal Tips

• Follow the manual’s intervals (not dealer suggestions; often 20% longer).

• Buy OEM parts via Tmall/JD.com (40% cheaper than dealers).

• Negotiate free service coupons with insurance purchases.

4.2 EV-Specific Advice

• Battery Care: Monthly slow charge to 100% (LFP needs calibration).

• Battery Swap: NIO users can ignore degradation.

• Home Charging: Use off-peak electricity (cuts costs by 50%).

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5. Future Trends & Final Tips

2024 Outlook:

• Solid-state batteries may eliminate range anxiety.

• New "Lemon Law" revisions may mandate battery replacement at <65% capacity.

Pro Recommendations:

• Gas Cars: Focus on major service savings.

• EVs: Prioritize lifetime battery warranties.

• Hybrids: Avoid over-maintaining the engine.

With smart planning, total 10-year maintenance costs can stay under 10% of the car’s price. Remember: Stick to the manual + use trusted third-party services to maximize savings.