For those who face traffic jams in big cities every day, don't feel safe just because your car's odometer hasn't reached 10,000 km. That's where the trap lies. Cars that are often "running but not moving," or idling for long periods in traffic jams, are actually still working hard. Well, conditions like this make time-based service intervals the most sensible choice for urban car users.

The Engine Keeps Running Even When the Car is Stationary

Imagine this: you leave for work in the morning, get stuck in traffic for half an hour, then encounter traffic again on your way home in the afternoon. In a single day, the engine can be running for hours without adding significant mileage. But behind the scenes, the oil, cooling system, and engine components continue to work and heat up. In fact, air and fuel circulation becomes less than ideal, causing incomplete combustion and carbon buildup in the combustion chamber.

The effect? The engine feels heavy, fuel consumption increases, and car performance slowly declines without you realizing it. Ultimately, the lifespan of the components is shortened.

Why Should You Service Your Car Every 6 Months?

For conditions like this, time-based service intervals are much more realistic than waiting for a certain number of kilometers. Ideally, cars that are often stuck in traffic should be serviced every 6 months, even if they haven't reached 10,000 km. This regular service ensures that the oil, filters, radiator fluid, and brake system remain in top condition before problems arise.

In addition to preventing performance degradation, routine servicing also helps maintain fuel efficiency and driving comfort. In essence, a healthy engine not only makes the car more fuel-efficient, but also safer and ready for long drives at any time.

Don't Wait for Symptoms to Appear

Many new car owners realize the importance of regular servicing after strange signs appear, such as rough engine noise or loss of power. In fact, time-based periodic maintenance is like a small investment in the longevity of your vehicle. So, even if you rarely drive long distances, don't ignore the 6-month schedule, especially if you deal with big city traffic jams every day.

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Interval Servis Berbasis Waktu, Solusi Tepat Buat Mobil Perkotaan

Buat yang tiap hari menghadapi macet di kota besar, jangan buru-buru merasa aman cuma karena odometer mobil belum menyentuh 10.000 km. Justru di situ jebakannya. Mobil-mobil yang sering “hidup tapi nggak jalan” alias idle lama di tengah kemacetan, sebenarnya tetap bekerja keras. Nah, kondisi seperti ini bikin interval servis berbasis waktu (time-based) jadi pilihan paling masuk akal buat pengguna mobil perkotaan.

Mesin Tetap Bekerja Meski Mobil Diam

Coba bayangkan, kamu berangkat pagi ke kantor, kena macet setengah jam, lalu sore harinya ketemu macet lagi waktu pulang. Dalam sehari, mesin bisa menyala berjam-jam tanpa menambah jarak tempuh signifikan. Tapi di balik itu, oli, sistem pendingin, hingga komponen mesin terus bekerja dan panas. Bahkan, sirkulasi udara dan bahan bakar jadi nggak ideal, menyebabkan pembakaran nggak sempurna dan bikin tumpukan karbon di ruang bakar.

Efeknya? Mesin terasa berat, bahan bakar boros, dan performa mobil menurun pelan-pelan tanpa kamu sadari. Ujung-ujungnya, umur komponen pun jadi lebih pendek.

Kenapa Harus Servis Tiap 6 Bulan?

Buat kondisi seperti ini, interval servis berbasis waktu jauh lebih realistis dibanding menunggu kilometer. Idealnya, mobil yang sering kena macet perlu diservis setiap 6 bulan sekali, meski jarak tempuhnya belum sampai 10.000 km. Servis berkala ini memastikan oli, filter, cairan radiator, dan sistem rem tetap dalam kondisi prima sebelum menimbulkan masalah.

Selain mencegah penurunan performa, servis rutin juga bantu menjaga efisiensi bahan bakar dan kenyamanan berkendara. Intinya, mesin yang sehat bukan cuma bikin mobil lebih irit, tapi juga lebih aman dan siap diajak jalan jauh kapan saja.

Jangan Tunggu Ada Gejala

Banyak pemilik mobil baru sadar pentingnya servis rutin setelah muncul tanda-tanda aneh, kayak suara kasar dari mesin atau tenaga mulai ngempos. Padahal, perawatan berkala berbasis waktu itu ibarat investasi kecil buat umur panjang kendaraan. Jadi, meski mobil jarang dipakai jauh, jangan abaikan jadwal 6 bulanan ya, apalagi buat yang tiap hari berhadapan dengan kemacetan khas kota besar.