"Factory recommended maintenance" for your car...

[tvp2003]

A couple of questions for the car guys out there...

1) Oil changes -- do you actually need them every 3 months/5,000 km? That's what we've been doing, but I recently read that unless your driving a cab, you're okay doing it every 7,000 to 8,000 km.

2) Flushes, flushes, and more flushes -- how important are these, and how important is it to do them according to the "factory recommended schedule"? We've been told a number of times that we "need" one or more of the following: engine flush, transmission flush, power steering flush, coolant flush, and a wallet flush (I'm kidding on the last one... sort of).

Keep in mind that although both of our vehicles have been pretty reliable (we'd like to keep them that way), they are no longer used as "daily commuters", and they are both < $10,000 (i.e. not exactly "high performance" ). Thanks for any and all guidance...

[sclitheroe]

On topic for this thread, so I will throw it in here...what do people think of vehicles that have oil change meters - the owners manual on my Venture clearly states that you can/should follow the readings on it for oil changes, and that it will vary based on use and driving conditions, and could be as long at 10,000km's ...but we're so ingrained to change every 5,000km's....

For those of you with cars with oil change meters, do you follow them, or just every 5,000km regardless?

[Jayems]

wrong thread.

[bossy22]

My truck monitors my driving, and lets me know when to change my oil. Because I drive so much on the highway, I usually have to change my oil every 10,000kms. The 5000km rule is based on the assumption that you're driving 55% city, 45% hwy.

[Dion]

I change my oil every 5,000 kilometers. Unless your driving stricly highway miles anything else is considered extreme conditions when it comes to oil changes. Stick with 5,000 kms.

I flush my tranny fluid every 50,000 kms. That is probably the one service item that a lot of drivers fail to do. Not changing the fluid at regular intervals will lead to a short life for your transmision.

[Shazam]

Does your manual actually say 5000K/3 months for oil changes? Cause neither of my vehicles' manuals say that.

I follow the oil wear meter in my Escape, as it takes into account driving behaviour. My Sienna has no such thing, so I just wait till there's blue smoke coming out.

[Incinerator]

my manual says 8000km so that's what I've been doing.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Does your manual actually say 5000K/3 months for oil changes? Cause neither of my vehicles' manuals say that.

Mine does

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by Dion

I change my oil every 5,000 kilometers. Unless your driving stricly highway miles anything else is considered extreme conditions when it comes to oil changes. Stick with 5,000 kms.

I flush my tranny fluid every 50,000 kms. That is probably the one service item that a lot of drivers fail to do. Not changing the fluid at regular intervals will lead to a short life for your transmision.

How about a situation where there is no maintenance interval for a tranny flush in the owners manual? According to my owners manual unless its being used for police or taxi duty, there is no recommendation to have a tranny flush done at all..

[FurnaceFace]

the 3 month thing is, I believe a rule of thumb that on average you drive 5000kms every quarter, which also fits the 20000 kms per year "standard" which I believe is used for things like blue book value and leases. My Subaru maintenance is every 6000kms with the following add ons:

Every 6,000 km

• Replace engine oil and filter
• Inspect and adjust all fluid levels including both differentials
• Inspect and adjust all tire pressures
• Inspect operation of all lights, wipers and washers
• Inspect and adjust drive belt tension
• Inspect axle boot condition
• Lubricate all latches, hinges & locks (hood, doors, fuel door & trunk lid)
• Road test vehicle

At 24,000 km All items listed at "Every 6,000 km service" plus:

• Replace air filter
• Inspect and replace if necessary, cabin air filter
• Rotate tires and inspect for wear. Perform wheel alignment if necessary. (Additional charge)
• Lubricate all weather strips including sun roof
• Service and lubricate front and rear calipers
• Inspect brake pads and linings
• Inspect, service and adjust parking brake system
• Inspect all steering and suspension components
• Inspect and service battery cables and terminals
• Test engine coolant for strength (-45°C) and inspect hoses and clamps
• Reset Engine Control Management System

At 48,000 km All items listed at 6,000 km and 24,000 km services plus:

• Replace engine coolant and add SUBARU COOLANT CONDITIONER
• Replace spark plugs (except Turbo and H-6)
• Inspect accessory drive belt(s)
• Inspect PCV valve and replace if necessary
• Inspect all hydraulic brake and clutch lines
• Replace brake fluid
• Inspect all emissions related hoses and connections

At 72,000 km All items listed at 6,000 km and 24,000 km services plus:

• Replace transmission fluid, automatic and standard
• Replace front (AT only) and rear differential oil
• Under severe conditions replace fluids at 48,000 km

At 96,000 km All items listed at 6,000 km, 24,000 km and 48,000 km services plus:

• Replace spark plugs (all models) (H-6 and Turbo add 0.4hr)

At 168,000 km All items listed at 6,000 km and 24,000 km services plus:

• Replacement of camshaft drive belts

I find it interesting between 96k and 168k you don't need to do anything special. I'm not looking forward to that 96k service, I can see that one being pricey...although since the car is 10 years old and I haven't hit 96k yet, I'm pretty happy.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by sclitheroe

How about a situation where there is no maintenance interval for a tranny flush in the owners manual? According to my owners manual unless its being used for police or taxi duty, there is no recommendation to have a tranny flush done at all..

Do you want to risk your tranny going to an early grave? Over time the fluild will break down leading to wear and tear on your internal parts of your transmission. Tranny shops love people who don't change thier fluids - it keeps them in business.

Any mechanic worth his salt will tell you to change your fluid at regular intervals.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by Dion

Mine does

I have newer, better Escape than you

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by Dion

Do you want to risk your tranny going to an early grave? Over time the fluild will break down leading to wear and tear on your internal parts of your transmission. Tranny shops love people who don't change thier fluids - it keeps them in business.

Any mechanic worth his salt will tell you to change your fluid at regular intervals.

Not arguing, as I'm planning on getting my tranny fluid done soon, but why would an auto manufacturer leave this item off their maintenance schedule in the owners manual? I don't get it...

[tussery]

Oil change intervals are also contingent on what kind of oil you are using. A good full synthetic oil can easily be put through extended drain intervals. I would still recommend changing the oil filter at the recommended intervals. I am running Amsoil 0W-30 and am not considering changing the oil for another 11,000km or 8 months, but I will be putting a new filter on here pretty soon.

[Berger_4_]

Originally Posted by Dion

Do you want to risk your tranny going to an early grave?

For some reason that really made me laugh haha.

I try to get my oil changed as close to 5000 klicks as I can...I left it one time till about 6 or 7, and I could really tell the difference between the quality of oil.

I'm due for my first transmission flush here pretty quick actually...there goes 300 bucks if I take it to the dealer...maybe I'll just get it done at home this weekend on the cheap...

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Berger_4_

For some reason that really made me laugh haha.

I try to get my oil changed as close to 5000 klicks as I can...I left it one time till about 6 or 7, and I could really tell the difference between the quality of oil.

I'm due for my first transmission flush here pretty quick actually...there goes 300 bucks if I take it to the dealer...maybe I'll just get it done at home this weekend on the cheap...

300 bucks for a tranny flush? Cost me $95 at my local Ford dealer.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by Dion

300 bucks for a tranny flush? Cost me $95 at my local Ford dealer.

Ford dealership service prices are very competitive. He must have an Acura or a Honda, where they rape you for even thinking of going to them for service.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Ford dealership service prices are very competitive. He must have an Acura or a Honda, where they rape you for even thinking of going to them for service.

Good point. It's one reason why I never buy imports

[Berger_4_]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Ford dealership service prices are very competitive. He must have an Acura or a Honda, where they rape you for even thinking of going to them for service.

Aye it's a Mazda. But I can get it done for way, way cheaper if I take it to one of the mechanics I know back home. I should've also mentioned it's a manual, so it's a little more expensive to flush to start with I do believe.

[tussery]

Yeah manuals you just pull the drain plug to drain it, then refill at the fill plug. There is nothing in a manual that has be be flushed like a torque convertor.