View Full Version : Do you always take your car in on time for its routine maintenance?
I always have been good about taking my car in for its routine maintenance every 3,500 miles, but I'm dragging my feet a bit this time. Its about 800 miles overdo. I hate sitting for hours in their waiting room., and I know this next service is probably going to be a big one (brakes, etc.) Considering my car is 11 years old and I've always serviced it routinely, I guess I deserve a break...........but I'm feeling guilty about it. Wish I had one of those newer cars that only need oil changed every 6,000.
Yes, I do. My cars are bought second-hand at about 30-40,000 miles and last me 10 years with little maintenance beyond oil changes, new tires, the odd seal that leaks and I had to replace a high pressure tube on my Pontiac Vibe's AC this week.
The biggest challenge was to find a good mechanic when the older ones retire. The current one was a boy that I babysat sometimes or whose parents babysat our kids on occasion.
I take mine in as close to on schedule as I can get it. My Honda Odyssey is at 145,000+ miles and seems to be good for another 50k. (I hope!)
Do you always take your car in on time for its routine maintenance?
Religiously. Sort of. ;)
Remember, any number of people can do the maintenance for you -- the dealer for that brand, an independent mechanic, a car-repair chain, or even you. We've used a combination of all of these for our cars (2003 and 2010), depending on what needed to be done. The kind of routine maintenance you're talking about -- oil change, brakes, etc. -- can be done by whoever you trust who will work at the best price. Model-specific repairs (fuel-injection system, etc.) probably are best handled by a specialist in that brand or the dealer. I've even done some of the model-specific stuff myself under the guidance of people who've done it before. We've had mechanics we trust tell us outright that they could do a repair/maintenance for us, but that it would be done faster and probably better at the dealer, where they may see more of that particular procedure. Feel free to use all the resources at your disposal.
Every 3000 miles....unless I forget.
Which reminds me the 97 F150 with 330,000 miles on it is way overdue....oops!
Thanks everyone.
Florence........I have a Honda Odyssey at about 160,000 and hope to have it another 100,000! Cars sure last longer than they used to.
We just got DS a new used car today. His old Ford Explorer was about 250,000!
Wow Float On........you have us all beat!
Yup, as oil changes & tune-ups are waaaay cheaper than a new car!
I follow the Car Guys advice and take mine in every 5000 miles (it's easier to remember, too!) The Ford Focus wagon just passed 130,000 miles; not as good as some of you here, but OK by me!
awakenedsoul
7-13-12, 7:59pm
I have my oil changed every 3,000 miles. I take the car in for the 30,000, 60,000 and 90,000 check. That's usually when I have to spend more money. Oh, and I use a coupon with the oil change to have the tires rotated. I don't drive much anymore, so I spend far less on my car in general.
I have my oil changed regularly. Ford recommends an oil change every 10,000 miles for my 08 Escape Hybrid, using synthetic oil. I don't completely trust that number so I do it every 5,000 miles.
I'm not so prudent with the other scheduled maintenance, usually putting it off until I begin to feel guilty. I replaced the original tires at 96K miles (I was trying to make it to 100K but winter was approaching and I decided not to push my luck). I had the 60K service completed at 98K miles, then had the brakes replaced a few months ago at 110K miles.
But, I'm at 116K now and it still looks and runs like the day I bought it.
I really like my Honda dealer's service department. They are the most ethical/honest people I've ever known (in the car business).
This next check up will probably require rear brakes. I also have a check engine light that is on constantly and they said not to worry about it. But I don't like thinking that I'm polluting the air, plus maybe decreasing my gas mileage. I've heard Honda has a problem with this and many people have spent way too much money trying to get that light off, and it stays on. The Honda people said it could get pretty expensive to figure it out.
I guess what I don't like the most is its in a not-so-great part of town and their waiting room is tiny and some stupid TV show is always on and the room is full. One time I had to stay over 5 hours. One time they gave me a loaner, of which I think they only have 1. Usually I'm there 2-3 hours. So I keep putting it off. I'll probably call them next week. Up to this point, I've been totally good about it. In fact, the pages in my manual for service dates has actually run out. hahaha
Oh......I think all 4 wheels are bent and I don't want to spend hundreds of dollars getting new ones, so they can't rotate them.
But I love this car!
awakenedsoul
7-13-12, 10:57pm
My check engine light went on for the third time. I drive a 2004 Kia Rio. When I had my car smogged the guy there said it was the sensor. I had it fixed and it cost me $350. Went back and this time it passed the smog test. I feel like my check engine light always clicks on exactly after I drive 6 hours on a road trip. It's happened like clockwork on my last couple of vacations...
awakenedsoul.......does your check engine light still come on, after you replaced the sensor?
awakenedsoul.......does your check engine light still come on, after you replaced the sensor?
If it comes on again, replace the gas cap, preferably with one from the dealer (for the tether alone).
Well worth the $20 - $25 before you start with any diagnosis or repair.
I have my oil changed regularly. Ford recommends an oil change every 10,000 miles for my 08 Escape Hybrid, using synthetic oil. I don't completely trust that number so I do it every 5,000 miles.
<snip>
But, I'm at 116K now and it still looks and runs like the day I bought it.
We just bought a Fusion hybrid, so glad to hear yours is doing so well!
If it comes on again, replace the gas cap, preferably with one from the dealer (for the tether alone).
Well worth the $20 - $25 before you start with any diagnosis or repair.
That actually worked for me! I was pleasantly surprised. I think most mechanics will hook up a code reader and try to determine possible a cause. My guy did that and suggested a new gas cap as a first step. An easy fix.
I follow the recommendations pretty loosely. I change oil about every 4,000 or 5,000 miles. I've discovered that it is pretty easy to do myself if the weather is half decent. I don't save a whole lot, but sort of enjoy it. I replace the air filter about once a year. I had the transmission and differential fluids replaced at about 75,000 miles and replaced the plugs at the same time. I have a Tacoma pickup and it really doesn't seem to need much. It has a timing chain instead of a belt so that doesn't need replacement. And my mechanic said that unless is it running roughly the plugs probably don't need replacement.
awakenedsoul
7-14-12, 10:17am
I just replaced it. No, it hasn't come back on...but it's only been a few days. I'm going to try the gas cap trick next time. Thanks Bronxboy! I always had this feeling it was something simple and inexpensive.
SteveinMN
7-14-12, 10:49am
One time I had to stay over 5 hours. One time they gave me a loaner, of which I think they only have 1.
If you have some flexibility in when you can go, could you schedule service around the loaner's availability? You could ask for it when you schedule. Or maybe speak to the service manager (not the writer or the mechanic), impress upon him/her that you are a loyal customers who always services your car at the dealership (if that's true), and ask if maybe you could borrow one of the used cars on their lot while yours is being serviced. What's a few more miles on a used car?
Oh......I think all 4 wheels are bent and I don't want to spend hundreds of dollars getting new ones
If you have alloy wheels (not the steel ones which use hubcaps/wheel covers), there are places out there (tire stores, custom shops, etc.) which may be able to "un-bend" them. I have no good idea of the costs, but tires aren't cheap, either, so maybe having it done makes sense for a vehicle you plan to keep.
I have heard about the gas cap problem, but I think they checked that out and it wasn't that. However.......when my DS had his Ford Explorer and said his engine light had come on, I told him to make sure his gas cap was tight and the light went out after that. I usually twist my cap enough to hear several clicks. Mine never had a tether, although it has a place on the lid to hang it.
Indiana doesn't require inspections. I wonder how many problems that would cause, when you have an engine light that is on all the time and you'd have to spend lots of money to figure it out.
If you look on any Honda discussion groups, you'll find tons of people who've spent lots of money trying to figure out why the engine light is on.........to no avail.
I think that's why my service people told me not to worry about it.
Steve......I'm not sure about my wheels......they're probably alloy. I'll check into getting them straightened out. Am I assuming correctly that having bent wheels might decrease my gas mileage?
I also think my gas mileage went down after I got tires with deeper treads.
Maxamillion
7-14-12, 12:04pm
Mine's overdue by about three months for an oil change. But I've been having to replace some parts over the last few months which hasn't left me a lot of extra money. Hopefully next month I can get it changed.
I'm a regular service kind of guy. I really do think it helps to stay on top of things. My last 2 vehicles had 268,000 and 292,000 miles on them when I sold them. One was sold to a friend who I'm sure is religious about maintenance. He bought that Suburban from me 10 or 11 years ago and is still driving it. My current GMC pickup has 145,000 miles and purrs like a kitten. My lifestyle has changed pretty dramatically so I probably don't put 5,000 miles a year on that truck. I may have it for another 30 years!
Steve......I'm not sure about my wheels......they're probably alloy. I'll check into getting them straightened out. Am I assuming correctly that having bent wheels might decrease my gas mileage?
I also think my gas mileage went down after I got tires with deeper treads.
Well, if the wheels were bent traumatically (pothole, etc.), it could be that your van's alignment is out of whack, and that could cost you some mpg. Bent wheels also may affect the wheel-tire seal (the "bead") and allow air to escape over time; underinflated tires definitely cost you gas miieage.
The stock alloy wheels on an Odyssey probably look like these http://2007wheel.com/images/products_small/wheels/aly63887u.jpg . If this part of your wheel is plastic, then you don't have alloy wheels.
New tires also can hurt fuel mileage because the deeper blocks of tread squirm around more on the road than your older tires. However, there are what are called "low rolling resistance" (or "LRR") tires available for most vehicles; they're designed to interact more efficiently with the road. They're available at several price points and many manufacturers offer them now. I have LRR tires on my car and my estimate is that they're good for 10% better fuel mileage than I was getting. Eventually every tire wears down and become "low rolling resistance". However, that's usually when it's time to replace them. :)
Tussiemussies
7-14-12, 3:27pm
I hardly drive my car anymore, it is in fantastic condition a 1991 Honda CRX, which gets excellent mileage. I never took it in on a timely basis but never let it go either. I've had 4 people wanting to buy this car from me! My mileage is 139,000. I worked in NYC a long time ago and took the train which was near my home that is why there is not a huge amount of mileage for it's age. I'm planning on keeping this car for a long-long time. :)
Steve.....My wheels don't have any plastic on them.
I think my wheels are bent because of our 1/4mile long gravel drive that has huge potholes in it. And I mean HUGE.
Thanks for the explanation about the wheels.
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