Vehicle Maintenance

[snafu]

Is your vehicle in need of an oil change? When did you last check the air filter? There are great many coupons in our mail box and on-line to lower the cost of service just now. I wish I were brave/confident enough to DIY. When did you last check the air in your vehicle's tires? For every 2 points below recommended PSI, you lose 1% mileage. I believe it's really important to follow your car's manual for maintenance.

[Bright]

The dealer send out notifications when these things are presumed at mileage due. I'm always delighted to find good specials on their coupon web page. One has to go find and print as they sure don't offer the special if you don't bring it up. They have caught several little things before they became big expensive things.

[bjl584]

I do all my own oil changes, tire rotations, brakes, etc. So, I keep a pretty close eye on everything.

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

I do all my own oil changes, tire rotations, brakes, etc. So, I keep a pretty close eye on everything.

I've done my own oil changes, loved it.

Brakes look like a major PITA though, having to bleed the lines and all that. How difficult is it?

I love DIY for mechanical stuff.

[JoeP]

I've done my own oil changes, loved it.

Brakes look like a major PITA though, having to bleed the lines and all that. How difficult is it?

I love DIY for mechanical stuff.

You don't bleed the lines for changing out brake pads or rotors. All you do is compress the piston(s) to do the work, then then pump the brake pedal after installation to engage the pads against the rotor.

I also do all my own maintenance. It helps to inflate the tires a couple pounds over the vehicle recommended pressure, provided you never get near the max pressure on the tire itself. You'll get better mileage this way.

[creditcardfree]

Both of our Hondas are about due for the oil change. Our vehicles have a maintenance minder on them, so I know we also need to rotate tires, and have the transmission fluid flushed. My van is also due for a new timing belt I think. It's going to add up fast, but I'd rather have maintenance then repairs, since it can generally be planned for.

[edg126]

I don't do any servicing of my car on my own. It's tough enough to maintain my house and research that, I have no interest in doing the same with my car.

That being said, I have a 2011 GMC Terrain, which has the % fuel indicator, so I end up needing an oil change about once every 6 to 9 months (I don't put a lot of miles on my car). 3 years ago we mvoed, our last mechanic my family used for 30 years and trusted. So far with this one I get good vibe, bills and recommendations for service have been in line with what's expected, so I tell them to do what needs to be done when I go in for oil change / inspection.

[myrdale]

First and foremost, go by your local parts store and pick up a Hayne's manual for your car. You may only thumb though it once, then throw it under your seat or in the trunk, but it is worth every penny of the $20 you will pay for it.

Second, review the recommended maintenance in the manual. It will recommend something like oil changes every 4k, transmission flush every 30k, belts every 60k, timing chain / water pump every 100k.

Third, keep a log of what work you have had done. Keep it simple, Date / Mileage / Job performed.

Fourth, keep that log in mind when your mechanic stays "You really need new belts". When you know those belts only have 20k on them and you point it out to the mechanic, they become ALOT less pushy about what maintenance is needed.

Finally, once a year or so go back though the list. When you see you're replacing a battery every 100k, and it's been 95k since your last battery, you know the one that died in the grocery store parking lot, it might be worth switching it out early.

Despite my ramblings, my over all point is educate yourself about what maintenance is needed and at what frequency. It will save you a lot of money by refuting high pressure salesman and preventing break downs by completing routine maintenance!

[nickthon]

I do all my maintenance myself. Its safer, I dont want some quick lube guy blow my engine and say its my fault.

[TheKayla]

I'm a bit afraid to do any DIY on my own car, even though I know its the best option. So regardless, I go to the same place to get it done because it takes only 5 min with no appointments, and they have coupons and loyalty points. They also have their early bird special every day for $8 off if you go between 6-8am. I try to take advantage of all of these. Still not as frugal as DIY, but in my case I don't mind sacrificing getting my car done right and convenience for the extra price-- I justify that I'm frugal enough in other areas.

[JoeP]

I'm a bit afraid to do any DIY on my own car, even though I know its the best option. So regardless, I go to the same place to get it done because it takes only 5 min with no appointments, and they have coupons and loyalty points. They also have their early bird special every day for $8 off if you go between 6-8am. I try to take advantage of all of these. Still not as frugal as DIY, but in my case I don't mind sacrificing getting my car done right and convenience for the extra price-- I justify that I'm frugal enough in other areas.

Car maintenance is not something you want to learn by trial and error. In a lot of cases, if you don't have the necessary tools and supplies, it just doesn't make sense.

[rob62521]

We don't do our own maintenance, but we are faithful about oil changes and tire rotations. We feel it is a good way to keep our vehicle going.

[Jluke]

At the very minimum, I would suggest learning how to change the following:

Engine Air Filter
Cabin Air Filter (if equipped)
Windshield Wipers

I cringe every time I see the service advisor come up to someone with dirty filters and charge them close to $80 to replace. I estimate parts to be about $40.

Get a K&N engine air filter: ~$40-50, good for 100,000 miles. Otherwise a paper filter for $15-20 (which the dealer will use)

Replace cabin filter on your own: ~$20. On my cars (Honda and Toyota) open the glove box, empty it, squeeze in both sides and it will drop down further. Inside is the filter. slide out the old, slide in the new (note orientation). YouTube will show you how!