Auto Maintance

[cleanteamofny]

OK, who does your minor auto maintance?
As for changing most of, or all fluids:
Engine oil, tranny, differentials, brakes, power steering and coolant.
Do you DIY, take it to the Dealer or Neighborhood Repair shop?

Do you follow MFG scheduals or once an year type of guy/gal?

 

[g3bill]

If you're using that adjustable wrench to work on the motor I'd take it in for repairs

I do most everything myself from oil change to motor/trans overhaul. Been doing it since I was a teen and like knowing its done right. Mosyly got tired of redoing what so called mechanics failed to do correctly. I once saw a young girl changing the oil in her car naxt to a gas station, I really admired that but haven't seen it since? Guess most people think its beneath them to get dirty if they can pay...

 

[wayupnorth]

My new Silverado came with free scheduled maintainance for the first 2 years. So I just take it back to the dealer.

 

[goatfarmer]

I do about everything on my fleet. Oil changes, brakes, shocks, if it needs done, I do it. Very few things get sent out.

 

[aeoliandave]

I have habitually done all my own fluid changes. I use an independent mechanic for minor tweaks. I have caught my (and other) dealership doing slipshod work (or not at all) and missing bolts & washers...or 'forgetting' to put the bottom engine aero panel back on or missing fasteners.
For major Brand specific work (timing belt/exhaust system/etc) I specify what the job should entail on a separate attached sheet to the work order and have the Mechanic sign that, too, before any work begins. On pickup I subject the car to MY inspection before driving away. For this level of service I gladly pay the going rate (which I usually check on at Subaru Headquarters website.
Most Dealerships give proper service as a matter of coarse.
Amazing what some dealerships think they can get away with, even when informed beforehand that I am a mechanical engineer & a knowledgeable customer.
A vehicle is the second largest investment one makes after a house. It pays back in long ownership & reliability to never take these things for granted.

 

[firedome]

always worked on and/or restored both old & new cars...

at least until recently when health got in the way. However now we take cars for oil changes to Monroe, where they'll do oil & filter for 18.99 using Valvoline, which I always used anyway... I can't even buy the stuff and do it myself for that, much less the mess and oil disposal hassle! Always tell them to spare the "complementary" check over etc. where they'll try to upsell you with more repairs, so now they don't even ask, in and out in less than an hour. When they actually do need repair, we take it to a shop whose owner & wife are both primary care patients of my wife, so we KNOW we'll be treated right, and we always have been.

 

[cleanteamofny]

I see we take care of our toys very well by DIY!

I've gotten tired of sitting at the shop for the simple lube jobs and doing them myself.

As for the timing belt brake fluid and coolant changes, those are done at the dealer.

Oil changes is a breeze if you had this type of valve installed to reduce splatters to almost zero condition.

T bone hydraulic jacks with 2 pair of 6 ton jack stand makes tire rotation real simple and easy!

The liquid vac is for the power steering reservoir.

I'm trying to stay on top of the oil maintance schedual intervals and added the power steering flush to the list recently.
I know it needs to be done and done so successfully thanks to YouTube!

Getting rid of oil is not a problem since the dump take used motor oil for free and tranny is taken to the dealer when my 5 gallon container is filled. (STPP container put to use).

 

[cadman]

Funny this should come up as just yesterday I changed out an exhaust mainfold on my daily driver that the local auto shop shied away from. Lots of excuses from them. A visit to ebay and an hour of my labor and the job is now done to my satisfaction.

The biggest problem these days is the high school kid at the lube shop forgetting the pan plug, over-tigtening and stripping it out, not getting the filter installed right or even under/overfilling the fresh oil. Frankly, they don't care. I'll admit I don't pull out the torque wrench for an oil change, but there's peace of mind knowing the engine's most critical system is up to snuff and you're not going to drop your filter 200 miles from home.

 

[mrb627]

Dealer. No Excuses.

Of course it helps that maintenance is free for 4 years.

Malcolm

 

[rp2813]

I stopped DIY oil changes after I had a car with an aero panel below and got tired of battling to get it back into place.  With today's cars, I'll repair or replace what I can get at, but beyond that it goes to the mechanic, a specialist who happens to be a low key but meticulous and highly literate guy.

 

My current car doesn't even have a dipstick.  You check the oil level from the steering wheel.  It takes synthetic oil, and change intervals happen when Service "A" and Service "B" are due, so it all takes place on a single visit every 15K miles or so.

 

On the other hand, I'm all about DIY on the '50 GMC.  Generator, water pump, starter, master cylinder, transmission, clutch, ignition coil and fuel gauge sending unit have all had attention or been rebuilt/changed out over the past couple of years.

 

[cadman]

Be careful with who you trust with your car, especially if it's something special. Seems this has been happening A LOT lately...

http://jalopnik.com/dealership-totals-customers-camaro-zl1-owner-and-deal-1498804012

 

[cleanteamofny]

Cory, that is one sorry story!
I had one bad dealer experience and I lost faith in them.

 

[washer111]

My car (A 93 BMW) hasn't seen a BMW specialist for about 17-18K miles now. Its overdue, I know.
The oil has been changed, by me, twice. First time around 5K miles (just after I got it), and used Mobil 1 0w-40 for 7.5K miles, and am now running Shell Rotella T6 5w-40.

This car has an service indicator which has an interval *up to* (and including) 10K miles (15K km). Slightly later models go to 15K miles (about 18K km) on each service, depending on driving habit.
Some people feel this is too far, and change the oil around half that themselves. My car now has nearly 119K miles (191K km) and has followed this since new, so how bad can it be?

If your car has "Lifetime" fluids, I'd change them. Especially power steering/auto (or manual) transmission. This car has a manual and both are "Lifetime" (OF WHAT?!). These oils go bad too, they aren't the stuff of forever. Screw what BMW thinks here, this was something done to save money on free yearly services (and sell more Made in France GM auto's, which broke enough as it was).

Some cars have poor accessories installed, which require more frequent overhaul. Case in point, the BMW E36 is widely known for "Cooling System Failures." So its best to change anywhere between 60-100k miles, depending on how much plastic is currently fitted by way of water pumps, radiators, expansion tanks and so on... I just spent about $800 DIY'ing this myself! Very rewarding feeling, and I feel more comfortable knowing I don't have un-seen leaks now.

Its best to Google your car's model/year or production code to get the wrap on what the problems are with your vehicle, and work to prevent them with prudent maintenance, which while seemingly wasteful, could save you so much later on. Of course, your mechanic/dealer would frown upon this, but hey, everyone loves "thrift," right?

 

[neptunebob]

Well, here's the man we can trust with our cars!

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[askolover]

While under warranty...

dealership, then it's me.  I maintain our 3 vehicles myself, belts, hoses, oil, trans, tire rotations, brakes, detailing, you name it.  But, I have my limits too....my little diesel German commuter has a timing belt and if one little step in that change process is done incorrectly the entire engine will be trashed so I have that done by my trusted independent VW/Audi mechanic in Nashville, that way, should something fail it will be warranted by them...and they will fix it.

 

All that "lifetime" fluid bull....everything wears out, especially when exposed to heat and friction.  I change my "lifetime" fluids around 50K miles...cheap insurance.

 

[a440]

My 2009 Audi A8 I do all of the maintenance on my own.  I have two brothers that have been Audi / VW mechanics all of their lives and I have been using them for out of warranty maintenance since 1988.  They are like my family.  I use their shop and they are cool with it.  I love working on cars. 

My 2014 Passat of course gets covered by the dealer.  I don't trust any dealer as far as I can throw them.  I have not had any issues however with general maintenance thus far. 

I will say it is hard to find a honest good mechanic that has knowledge of your specific car.  I am sure this has been since the beginning of time with cars.

When in doubt go to the dealer.  At least you will have a warranty for the work and something to fall back on.

I have always bought VW's, Audi, Porsche because I know the brand and the workings.  That makes a big difference on knowing if someone is trying to take advantage of you.  I go in and tell them what is wrong!  I am usually 99% correct.  They are cool with that.

And also....If you do plan on keeping a car for more then 2 years, follow the schedule maintenance.  It is very important.  Just like washers and dryers things change over the life of the car as far as "specs".  Those changes they warn you about....can kill your engine, transmission, A/C...you name it if the spec changes are not performed.  If you don't do these maintenance schedules you are out of luck.  Do it.  It is usually free to new buyers and second hand buyers.  Always check it out.  If you go to a "mechanic" that is not in the loop, you will never know that this was a recall.  And if he performs the work and it fails....you are out sucka!  

B

 

 

[retro-man]

3 year all maintenance covered. Goes back to the dealership. When that expires it goes back to the dealership. Too much stuff under the hood that I don't know about anymore. Too many computers all working together to make the vehicle run. Another plus is I can right this off to vehicle maintenance.

Jon

 

[cadman]

Another dealer "mishap". This time a new WRX.

If your car is stolen and wrecked at least you have a leg to stand on, but when you willingly hand over the keys...

http://carbuying.jalopnik.com/deale...cks-customers-brand-1683126379/+matthardigree

 

[andic29]

Both the husband and I got new cars recently so we use the dealer until the free visits run out (I always sit and wait for my car, no one drives it but me) but after that he will take care of everything. He spent years as a mechanic in the Army so we're good to go on that front! He's kept my moms almost 20 year old SUV running for years.

 

[volvoguy87]

Mine.

I have a 2008 Honda Element and my pride and joy, my 1987 Volvo 240. Both are maintained in strict accordance with the maintenance schedules outlined in their owner's manuals.

My mechanic is a Swedish car specialist who will also work on a few other makes and models. He services my Honda and I have had good luck with him. He also takes care of the things on my Volvo which I cannot do myself due to time constraints and lack of specific knowledge and/or tools. This past summer, I took the Volvo on a 1,600 mile road trip without issue. I ran short of time before the trip, so I had my mechanic replace the timing belt and complete the 150,000 mile service in advance of the road trip. He also was able to get the air conditioning system running again (THANK GOODNESS!!!). I take both cars into the shop before winter every year to make sure they are in good shape. The last thing I want is to be stranded without heat when it's below freezing. I tend to keep a sharp eye on the condition of my cars, but I think it's also important to have my mechanic go over them every once in a while as well. I like my cars, especially the Volvo, but he is the professional and I am the shade-tree mechanic. I have done many adventurous things under the hood of my Volvo, but I am not perfect and want someone to occasionally look over my shoulder.

Dave

 

[a440]

Very interesting!

I love to hear the  different views on maintenance.

When I was a kid around 13 my father was transferred to Germany to start a new huge division of the company he worked for. We all stayed in the US and either he would come visit us or we would visit him.

Anyway....they reason for saying this is that this got me on the German kick for cars.  In the USA we heard how German cars lasted forever and ever.  My Dad was delighted to find out that part of this was true.  The biggest part of this information was that Germans kept their cars forever and no matter what needed to be replaced they replaced it, and kept the car running in top shape.  If the seats wore down you got them replaced. 

I always admired this logic.  I guess it ties in with our vintage appliances and keeping them running.

Sad part in the USA with Cars is that parts become no longer available.  I have had many cars that I would love to sill own.  I just could not find the parts for them any longer. One of my most favorite cars was Peugeot.  I just loved them!  I had several.  Had to sell them because of no parts or parts were so expensive it did not make sense.

B

 

[tolivac]

Oil changes-----Last week took my 2012 Toyota Highlander Hybrid for its routine oil change adn checkup----guess what salesman shows me a 2015 model and takes me for the test drive and ride.New car followed me home.It has oil changes and checkup for as long as I own it.Drather let the dealers do the maintenance on newer cars-so much you can't do yourself anymore.But--dealer oil changes adn checkups--you may change the CAR rather than the oil!

 

[washer111]

@tolivac:

I'll adapt an old joke here:

Fill the dealer's bank account, change the automobile

(From: "Check fuel, Fill Oil.")

 

[tolivac]

I fell for that joke.At first told the salesman I didn't want a new car-then it went from there.

 

[mrb627]

Silent Recalls

Another reason to return to the dealer, recalls get handled without hassle. Had about 7 done on my Lexus in the first 2 years. Sunroof seals, roof rack rails, interior door trim...

Malcolm

 

[tolivac]

One of my cars was a Lexus-very good about the recall-and the dealer lent you a car to use while the recalled one was being fixed.

 

[countryguy]

I had the same experience with my Lexus and a recall. Unfortunately there is not a Lexus dealer here, only a Toyota dealer and although Toyota is authorized to do all regular maintenance, repairs, etc., they cannot do recall work so I had to drive 3.5 hours to Toronto to have the recall work done. They did provide me with a loaner but I still had to pay for a hotel out of my pocket.

Gary

 

[tolivac]

When they recalled my Lexus car-it had to be driven to the dealer in Raleigh to be worked on I bought it used from the greenville Toyota store.Lexus paid to have the car driven to them from the Greenville Toyota place at no charge to me.If I get another luxuary car brand-Lexus will be it.

 

[arbilab]

Always done everything myself. But I'm older and no longer have a house. Just had the oil changed in my 29yo Toyota for the first time by a shop. Changed my own antifreeze while there for $12 when they wanted $80 to hook it to a machine. They loaned me a bucket.

Heavy maint like brakes or cam belt, I've had known mechanics do and I specified exactly what I wanted done. Do all my own troubleshooting. The only operational parts failed on the Toyota were coldstart thermo and highside AC compressor O-ring. Pretty remarkable considering it was made in the first quarter of an entirely new model.

 

[twintubdexter]

When it comes to regular maintenance

I suppose it has a lot to do with how many miles you drive. In my twilight years, I drive my pickup a little over 1,000 miles per year. Costco, Petsmart and the market aren't that far. Fortunately that means a tank of gas every 3 months or so. It doesn't make much sense for me to do scheduled stuff myself. The Ford dealer less than a mile from me does an oil change, tire rotation and a "let's see what we can try and get additional money from" inspection for $39.99. In addition they wash the vehicle too. My HOA says working on your car (except in the garage with the door closed) is taboo. 

 

I don't attempt maintenance on my 96' Corvette. I drive this car up and down my street a couple times a month so it needs very little attention. The fact I can hardly fit in it anymore may have something to do with it. 

 

I really admire people who do work themselves as opposed to hiring someone...car maintenance and house maintenance too.