Way to check what maintenance has been done on a used vehicle

[Jsdirt]

Any used vehicle I buy, no matter if I'm told the, "fluids were just done", I dump ALL of them and get top shelf synthetics in there. That's the only way to know for sure that everything is good.

 

I started doing analysis on my Silverado about a year or 2 after it began using oil when pushed hard (50k miles is when that started). Found all kinds of elevated metals related to pistons and rings. Switched to Amsoil Signature Series 10W-30 from the factory recommended 5W-30, and at least the piston and ring metal levels dropped significantly. Later, some bronze was showing up, which I suspected to be camshaft bearings. 

 

All that lead up to eventually selling it at 134k miles a few years later, once I found my dream diesel truck - a 1st gen Ram, manual trans, 205 transfer case, and Dana 60 & 70 axles. No more headaches! 

 

Anyway ... the analysis is money well spent, especially on an unknown (new to YOU) vehicle.

 

Oil analysis, '07 Silverado 1500 5.3 LMG

Edited November 6, 2025 by Jsdirt

[Jsdirt]

EDIT: Don't know why Nick's post wasn't quoted in this after I clicked said button ... but this was in response to Nick's post. Friggin computers!!!! BANE of my EXISTENCE ...

 

 

Great point on tires. When I acquired my late father-in-law's '03 Buick Century, on the drive home I ended up in the woods trying to make a left turn. ZERO traction! Felt like I had polished steel tires on ice! Knowing my FIL, I knew I was dealing with ancient tires.

 

Sure enough, put it up on the lift and I had 3 tires that were 10 years old, and one that was EIGHTEEN years old!! 

 

Age hardens tires. Hard tires give VERY LITTLE traction in ANY condition.

 

 

Another case-in-point - the wife and I took one of our mid 90's Volvo 940's up to NH to see an airshow. On the way back in the rain, I was confidently speeding through corners ... because in my mine I had the tires that were on the OTHER car, way back at home! I didn't realize this until the ass-end of the car tried to pass me, and I couldn't regain control for several seconds!!  Fishtailed 3x but I managed to keep it on the pavement & keep from doing a 180.

 

Rear tires on that were 10 years old. That was my winter beater. The wife's 940 has all new summer and winter tires. Mine will be getting new rear summer tires next year! Just bought a new set of snows.

 

I learned a long time ago that tires are nothing to eff with! Tires are cheaper than bent metal or broken bones. EVERY time.

 

 

Edited November 6, 2025 by Jsdirt