Vehicle Maintenance: Scheduled, or as needed?
 

How do you guys handle the maintenance on your car(s)?

Regular maintenance (oil, filters, spark plugs etc.) "by the book" and other stuff like wheel bearings or shocks when needed.

It depends on the car, and what quality of parts and consumables (engine oil, filters, etc) that I use. Some things are "by the book," other things take longer since I really don't need to change them. I do use Amsoil products where I can, which includes their Performance Improver (Injector Cleaner.) I also change the power steering fluid occasionally, even though not all manuals say that you need to. I've seen how the fluid eventually gets burnt and turns black, if you don't.

Some things I perform annually, like oil change, tire rotation, pressure check, knock the dust out of the air filters, check the brake wear, check fluid levels.

Some things I perform every decade, such as change brake fluid, radiator coolant, gear oil.

Things like spark plugs, belts, hoses, brake pads, tires... all as needed.

I don't do anything by mileage.

Fluids: as scheduled, or on some kind of schedule. Parts: When needed.

The reason I ask is because I am trying to figure out how I should follow/modify the maintenance schedule for my motorcycle (17 Versys 300). I bought it new in oct 2017 so I'm coming up on the 3 year and ~8500 mile mark. At 3 years it wants me to change the coolant and radiator hose(s). Coolant I see as ok. It takes very little so not a big deal. It seems like overkill with the radiator hose though. Another example would be it wants me to rebuild the master cylinders and calipers every 4 years.

I see the need/desire to make sure everything is in working order since it is a motorcycle (vs car failure), but that just seems a little ridiculous. Every 4 years? Really? I've probably been riding on an oem unit on my other bike (83 KZ1100).

I'm thinking replace coolant (it only holds 1.6 qts) check hoses and bump the brake rebuilding to like 10 yrs/as needed.

I've never changed coolant per schedule in multiple motorcycles or cars. Total waste of money IMO. Never changed brake fluid either unless replacing a caliper then just add as need to bleed. Never heard of having to rebuild brakes as maintenance.

1999 Concours had 58,000 miles on it when I sold in in 2017 or so, I got it with under 10,000 miles so I doubt the coolant was changed before I bought it. Never touched he brakes, took 2 tries to get the carbs right after sitting in a barn along time and a new gas tank.

I did change out GM's "green" coolant in a 03 Malibu right after I bought it with 11,000 miles because it is/was blamed for intake manifold gasket failure. No problems at 265,000 when my daughter totaled it.

Well you can go buy the test kit at a parts store for your color of coolant. Primarily they check to see if the glycol is at the proportion it needs to be at for freeze protection, distilled water is more efficient in the summer. And yes I know that glycol increases the boiling point, but how often do you get that hot? Shouldn't ever need to. Up side is that coolant can last for a long time.

The coolant I use in the F250 is rumored to be million mile rated, but needs to be tested every 300,000 to see if the anti (bubble*) additives are still at effective levels

*destructive cavitation

Except for the new silicone brake fluid, the old alcohol based Dot 3 & 5 sucked up water which rusted the internals and caused leaks past the seals. Wasn't much of a problem in sealed systems. Everything else is mostly time neutral

I would buy the radiator hoses sometime soonish but don't replace them until some sign of failure unless they are super cheap to buy. but for my own vehicles with water cooling I switch to hardline as soon as practical
Nylon aluminum and copper pipe are available in the necessary sizes even stainless if you really want

Fluids: By schedule.
Tuneup items, timing belt, etc: By mileage.
All others: As they wear out.