Scheduled Maintenance

willfxp · August 30, 2003

I'm at my 60k mile maintenance inverval. I was wondering if I should bring it in to a shop (dealer or...) to get the inspections done. I already rotated my tires, replaced passenger compartment air filter, and replaced the fuel filter myself. I'll be replacing the axle fluids in a few weeks. But I don't know a thing about inspections. I don't know how to inspect/check 'constant velocity joints and axle eals for leaking', 'engine accessory drive belt', 'exhaust gas recirculation system', and 'evaporative control system'.

Is there a book I can get so I can do it myself?

Thanks.

tmf6902 · August 30, 2003

It has always been my understanding, that when you bring a perfectly working truck into a stealership for you "xxx mile checkup" they find something wrong to charge you for....my dad did it once way back when, and ended up with a $800 bill at the end....if it's not leaking any fluid it's not leaking fluid.....grease your zers.....check the belts....you can see if their worn or have cracks in them.....as far as your evap system goes...i'm not a mechanic..but if your not throwing any codes...or you don't have any lights....chances are they're fine....some one else here can probably give you better advice...but I say if it's not broke don't fix it, and even if it is broke....goto a good mechanic, or find one from a friend, and get any work done there.....don't goto the stealer.....unless of course you're under warrenty, and your truck is bone stock....

Bish · September 1, 2003

I see no point in taking it to a dealer.

Even if you're a novice, you can still handle that yourself. Crawl under your vehicle (on jack stands preferably) with a flashlight and inspect for any fluids or dampness. You might see grease aroung the zerk fittings (there are 11 on my tahoe). You should grease these at every other oil change...now if you haven't. Might see a little oil aroung oil filter and/or drain plug. If you don't see any leaking anywhere and you're not throwing codes (service engine soon lamp) you don't need a dealer to inspect IMO. The computer will tell you if something is wrong with the engine or emmission systems. I would follow the severe schedule for maintenance at minimum. Suggest the following for 60K

This assumes you want to keep the vehicle for aanother 50-75K

Change serpentine belt

Flush transmission (and do a filter)I do this every 25-30K, filter every other

Change front/rear diff

Fuel filter (every 10K miles for me)

Grease front end

Flush Brake fluid through all 4 wheels

Change spark plugs (I went with NGK TR-55 all copper with Taylor wires)

I tend to go to the extreme end of maintenance scale. Then again, my Tahoe has 110K and runs like new Good Luck.

willfxp · September 1, 2003

Thanks for the tips.

I want to keep this truck for ever . When I can afford, I'll buy a daily driver. But this truck has been a dream for quite some time and will be my 'project' truck when I get some $$$. I also want to learn how to do all this. So I might as well start now. Just want to make sure I'm not doing something an ASE (or whatever those initials were...) should.

I was just talking to my dad about changing that belt since it was so cheap and I bought the truck used and don't know when they last changed it.

Since I did go off road and through lots of mud, I did plan on changing all the fluids.

I didn't know I could change the stuff on the tranny. Good to know! I think I can pull that off...

I did the fuel filter myself . That's pretty much the most advanced thing I've done.

Brakes are going to be a concern. I never liked doing things myself when it comes to something as life and death as the brake system...

Spark plugs seems easy too.

Thanks again for all your help!

tmf6902 : I brought my Honda to the Honda dealership for all the regular maintenance. I bought it brand new. They never found any problems and prices were pretty competitive with local shops around. My Honda was good, but I'd never go back.

Bish : I would rather go to the 'extreme preventive maintenance' schedule. Peace of mind that everything is working as it should and I learn so much about my truck. Can't you see all my posts?!?!

Bish · September 1, 2003

I'm with ya on the extreme schedule. I beat my new vehiles pretty hard but I also change fluids very often and fix anything that comes up immediately. With my family in the vehicle on long trips, I take nothing for granted. I also keep my vehicles a min of 100K sometimes 200K and I think the maintenance shows in the longevity. Never had any major failures ie, tranny rebuild, engine rebuild, rear end, etc. Considering how hard I push them sometimes (when alone in , I am amazed they hold up so well.

Regarding the brakes...I think they are easy and would rather know it was done properly. If you are at all concerned about your abilities, play it safe and find a local shop to do it. It's worth it for piece of mind!!! Find a local shop versus the dealer. Stay away from the Midas types. You'll get more bang for the buck at a local shop. Better pads/rotors for same/less $$$ On the other hand, you could get a manual and read up on it to better determine if you could handle it. You can get the best materials and save all the labor if you do it yourself. If you've got a 2001, I can even scan some pages for you out of the factory shop manual.

willfxp · September 1, 2003

Regarding the brakes...I think they are easy and would rather know it was done properly. If you are at all concerned about your abilities, play it safe and find a local shop to do it. It's worth it for piece of mind!!! Find a local shop versus the dealer. Stay away from the Midas types. You'll get more bang for the buck at a local shop. Better pads/rotors for same/less $$$ On the other hand, you could get a manual and read up on it to better determine if you could handle it. You can get the best materials and save all the labor if you do it yourself. If you've got a 2001, I can even scan some pages for you out of the factory shop manual.

My parents have always bought their cars new and have done the preventive maintenance like you, well, maybe not that extreme... We had an 1988 Bonneville for 180k w/o any major problems. Usual replace this or that sensor/flud/blah/blah. Everything else original. I finally sold it to buy a car that was more.. 'me'...

Yes, I have a 2001. That would be great to get a copy of the factory manual. I was wondering where I could buy one of these. Would a dealer sell it? I have the Haynes manual, but it just shows how to take stuff apart.

Thanks.