BYD Dolphin Service Schedule Chart: Every Interval Mapped
The BYD Dolphin's schedule runs on a simple rhythm: a first check at 3 months or 5,000 km, then services every 12 months or 20,000 km, with deeper items on a 24-month or 40,000 km cycle. Standouts include tyre rotation every 10,000 km, brake fluid replacement every 2 years, motor coolant every 4 years, and a battery capacity test every 6 months. Every interval below is extracted directly from the owner's manual, with nothing guessed.
The Schedule at a Glance
| Measurement | Interval (whichever comes first) |
|---|---|
| First check | 3 months or 5,000 km |
| Regular service cycle | Every 12 months or 20,000 km |
| Deeper inspection cycle | Every 24 months or 40,000 km |
| Tyre rotation | Every 10,000 km |
| Battery capacity test | Every 6 months or 72,000 km |
How the Rhythm Works
The manual is explicit that maintenance runs on mileage or months, whichever comes first, and nearly every item follows one of two beats: a first check at 3 months or 5,000 km, then either a 12-month or a 24-month repeating cycle. Once you see the two beats, the whole schedule becomes easy to hold in your head.
Chart 1: The Annual Items, Every 12 Months or 20,000 km
These items get their first check at 3 months or 5,000 km, then repeat every 12 months or 20,000 km.
| Measurement | What is done |
|---|---|
| Chassis screws | Check and fasten, replace damaged parts |
| Brake friction blocks and discs | Check wear, replace damaged parts |
| Tyre condition, pressure, and TPMS | Inspect and correct |
| Coolant level in expansion tank | Check level |
| Brake fluid condition | Check level and condition |
| Vehicle module fault codes | Read, record, and clear |
| High-voltage battery tray, shield, and mounts | Check condition and torque |
| Door brakes | Clean and lightly grease the mechanisms |
Chart 2: The Two-Year Items, Every 24 Months or 40,000 km
These also start at 3 months or 5,000 km, then settle into a 24-month or 40,000 km rhythm, and in severe driving conditions they move to the 12-month cycle instead.
| Measurement | What is done |
|---|---|
| Brake pedal and EPB switch | Check operation |
| Brake piping and hoses | Professional inspection for degradation |
| Steering wheel and tie rods | Check condition and play |
| Drive shaft boots, ball pins and boots | Check for splits and wear |
| Front and rear suspension | Check condition |
| Wheel alignment, front and rear | Check and correct |
| Wheel bearing clearance | Check play |
| Brake caliper guide pins | First at 12 months / 20,000 km, then every 24 months / 40,000 km |
Chart 3: The Replacements, Mapped to Their Clocks
These are the items with hard replacement intervals, and they are the ones that make some services cost more than others.
| Measurement | Replacement interval | Specification and capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Brake fluid | Every 2 years or 40,000 km | HZY6, 1,100 ml |
| Transmission gear oil | First at 24 months / 40,000 km, then every 24 months / 48,000 km | Castrol BOT384, 450 or 600 ml |
| Drive motor coolant | Every 4 years or 100,000 km | Glycol organic acid, minus 40 C, 3.1 or 3.3 L |
Chart 4: The Owner's Items, Between Services
| Measurement | Interval |
|---|---|
| Tyre pressures | Check at least monthly |
| Tyre rotation | Every 10,000 km |
| Wiper blades | Check every 6 months or 10,000 km |
| Battery pack capacity | Test and calibrate every 6 months or 72,000 km |
The 10,000 km tyre rotation is the one owners most often miss, sitting neatly between annual services, so pairing it with the six-month wiper check makes a tidy habit.
The Severe-Conditions Rule
The manual is specific about when intervals shorten. If the car regularly sees muddy, sandy, snowy, or dusty roads, or is used with a roof rack or trailer-style loads, the 24-month items above move to the 12-month or 20,000 km cycle. If that describes your driving, tell your service centre so the accelerated schedule is applied.
Why This Chart Beats Guesswork
Plenty of service guides for EVs are generic templates with the oil changes deleted. This one is different by construction: every row above is extracted from the BYD Dolphin owner's manual maintenance chapter, item by item, interval by interval, including the exact fluids and capacities from its specifications pages. When your service advisor proposes work, you can check it against the manufacturer's own schedule in seconds.
Further Reading
For what each of these visits costs and why every second one is dearer, our Dolphin service cost and schedule guide pairs this chart with BYD's capped prices, and for how a plug-in hybrid's schedule compares, the Shark 6 service schedule guide shows what a petrol engine adds.
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting months count too: Every interval is months or kilometres, whichever comes first
- Skipping the 3-month first check: It is the schedule's foundation visit
- Missing the mid-year tyre rotation: 10,000 km lands between annual services
- Ignoring the severe-use rule: Dusty roads and roof racks halve several intervals
- Letting brake fluid run past 2 years: It is a hard replacement clock, not a suggestion
- Assuming EVs need nothing: No oil changes, but the checks above keep the car safe and warranted