Conspiracy Theory?

I've been thinking about it for quite a while already. Why do we have to keep sending our cars for servicing every 5000km? The cars seems to work fine with or without it!

Do you think that we've gone into the vicious cycle of thinking that every item we own needs to be "maintained"? Especially the cars. Whenever a new car owner gets their new car, they would have spent at least S$50k on their baby. Why would they keep spending more with each car servicing? Each trip to the service mechanics will usually cost about S$100. So if in one year, you service your car once every 3months or 5000km (whichever is "faster") then you would have spent another S$400 on your car just on servicing it! That is also provided that the mechanics do not tell you to change this and that....

I took over my trusty Proton from my parents for over a year now. Initially, driven by fear and "advice" all around, I took Proton to the best looking Shell Service station for a "check-up". After spending S$140, my Proton got new spark plugs, new oil filter, new engine oil and some other checks. But I was strongly persuaded to change the shaft on the wheels for over $300! After proclaiming how shock I was at the price, the manager told me that he can get 2nd hand parts for me, at over $150 with workmanship. Sensing that the many price changes was something fishy, I went to ask the technician if my car was suffering from a serious condition to warranty that change.... the technician asked how long more for my car.... I told him 1yr+. He said... "CAN LAH! No need to change!"

So was the manager trying to scare me about the flying tyres stories so that I would change the shaft? After 10months without any change, my trusty Proton still move with grace and good speed. :)

Was it absolutely neccessary to change and change and change??

After each servicing, I felt no difference in how Proton start up or pick up speed or move on the roads. There was also no visible improvements to its fuel efficiency. (in fact, I seem to have better mileage now then ever before!! - no servicing!)

Was it absolutely neccessary to service and service and service??

Hence, after 2 servicing.... I gave up! I just check the engine oil, battery water, make sure that there is always enough fuel, me and my Proton will not listen to anymore "advice"... till the end of his time...