Maintenance Tasks Haven't Changed That Much

[diyer2]

The threads about cleaning fuel systems, oil changes, fluid changes etc. got me to thinking, which some times can be dangerous.

 

Not much has changed for me as far as doing maintenance to our vehicles.

With technology  you no longer have to do regular tune ups, plugs, points, condensers, distributor caps, rotors and timing checks.

The extended oil change intervals are a result of advances in oil and filter technology.  I was a regular user of STP oil additive back in the day.

 

I change all the fluids before recommended intervals along with the belts, filters and plugs. I also change the power steering fluid. I buy all my maintenance fluids and parts on sale if I can by planning ahead. Changed the plugs in my 2012 Sierra for $24 instead of $70 over the counter with tax at the auto store.

 

The fuel system has always received regular care. Fuel system cleaners from Chevron Techron, Sea Foam to B&G 44K. I have used only Top Tier gasoline since it became available. 

 

Windshield wipers, batteries and tires are the same schedule. Batteries get replaced every 4 years, tires every 35- 40 K miles and wipers as needed.

 

Starters, alternators and power steering pumps I watch and listen to so I can replace them before they fail.

 

Brakes are checked twice a year and replaced when needed. 

 

I give them a regular bath and a wax job.

 

I check the area(garage floor,street etc.) where the vehicle is parked for signs of leaks. About every 3 months I check the engine bay with a flashlight for leaks, worn belts etc.

 

The thing I appreciate the most is a tune up today means changing the plugs.

 

My previous truck, a 1993 Silverado 5.7 TBI required plugs every 35 K miles if I used the stock OEM plugs. It would burn the electrode off  like days of old and the more I towed the faster the electrode degraded. I tried up-grading the plugs to newer styles but felt the stock plugs made it run better. The distributor cap and rotor I ran for 50 k miles because I used Excel copper parts instead of stock aluminum parts. Before fuel injection in the days of carburetors tune ups were done more frequently.

 

Like the title says not much has changed for me the way I do things.

I would rather do the maintenance in the garage instead of repairs on the side of the road where some idiot could run me over.

 

In 50 years I have had a vehicle break down twice, both times due to failed parts. Nothing is perfect.

 

Works for me.

If you find one of my methods useful that's great.   

You do what makes you comfy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Grumpy Bear]

It would appear that the biggest difference between us is in the fluids we choose to use.  I like your attitude. 

 

I started driving a few years before you were born. Biggest thing I've learned (about automotive) is what use to be is no longer. In my day all boys studied spark plugs at our fathers knee. I could read a plug before I could read the box it came in and leaned what to do about everything it told me. Today.... the  majority of boys don't even know what a spark plug is nor do they care to know. Fact is many don't care to learn to drive or aspire to own a car/truck/motorcycle. The few that are intrigued no longer have access as we did when we were young.

 

If you can computerize it, you can monetize it.

 

How sad. A timing light and a tachometer along with paper, pencil and some math could teach you pretty much anything you wanted to know. All of which could be picked up between a Ben Franklin five and ten and the local parts store or speed shop. Now you need a degree and thousands of dollars of equipment to get a look but you're 'locked out' of doing to much about anything.  There use to be dozens of seasoned, well trained HONEST mechanics in a town as small as 25K. Now? A hand full in cities of millions.  

 

Anyway.....the 'do it before it's a problem' thinking is still and always will be best first defense to walking. Coupled with rational operation. 

 

I would rather spend an afternoon tuning up Flat Head Ford than most anything else.  

[KARNUT]

It would appear that the biggest difference between us is in the fluids we choose to use.  I like your attitude. 
 
I started driving a few years before you were born. Biggest thing I've learned (about automotive) is what use to be is no longer. In my day all boys studied spark plugs at our fathers knee. I could read a plug before I could read the box it came in and leaned what to do about everything it told me. Today.... the  majority of boys don't even know what a spark plug is nor do they care to know. Fact is many don't care to learn to drive or aspire to own a car/truck/motorcycle. The few that are intrigued no longer have access as we did when we were young.
 

If you can computerize it, you can monetize it.

 

How sad. A timing light and a tachometer along with paper, pencil and some math could teach you pretty much anything you wanted to know. All of which could be picked up between a Ben Franklin five and ten and the local parts store or speed shop. Now you need a degree and thousands of dollars of equipment to get a look but you're 'locked out' of doing to much about anything.  There use to be dozens of seasoned, well trained HONEST mechanics in a town as small as 25K. Now? A hand full in cities of millions.  
 
Anyway.....the 'do it before it's a problem' thinking is still and always will be best first defense to walking. Coupled with rational operation. 
 
I would rather spend an afternoon tuning up Flat Head Ford than most anything else.  

That’s why I’ll never get rid of my 92 Chevy truck. It’s the basic design I grew up with and advanced just enough for extended ( tune ups ). I love the throttle body design in place of the carburetor. All the stuff you can work on without expensive equipment and basic knowledge.


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[diyer2]

Karnut,

Agree.

My 93 Silverado was real simple to maintain and repair. I miss the 8 foot bed to.

 

Grumpy,

The fluid difference is minor compared to the maintenance IMO.

 

Agree about the mechanics we have today.

 

It was 5 degrees here this morning with 8 inches of snow.

My Honda ATV that I use to plow snow with fired right up. I bought it used and the carb. was a mess. I rebuilt the carb. jetted it for altitude and it came with a K&N air filter. I run it with the air filter box lid off to get max air and a sock over the air filter. I did the plug color tune and spent the time to get it right. 

 

My neighbor has 2 of the same ATV 's. One is the same year with a carb., the other is 4 years newer and is fuel injected. Mine will out run his stock one and keep up wit his fuel injected one.