Go Back   EcoModder Forum > EcoModding > DIY / How-to
Register Now
 Register Now
 

View Poll Results: Vehicle Maintenance
Scheduled per owners/service manual 2 18.18%
If it ain't broke, don't fix it 2 18.18%
Depends on the car (commuter vs project car, etc) 0 0%
Some repairs scheduled others not. 7 63.64%
Voters: 11. You may not vote on this poll

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 09-12-2020, 04:41 AM   #1 (permalink)
マット
 
M_a_t_t's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Indiana
Posts: 718

The Van - '95 Chevy Astro Cl V8 Swapped
Team Chevy
90 day: 7.84 mpg (US)

The new bike - '17 Kawasaki Versys X 300 abs
Motorcycle
90 day: 71.94 mpg (US)

The Mercury - '95 Mercury Tracer Trio
Team Ford
90 day: 34.35 mpg (US)

Toyota - '22 Toyota Corolla Hatchback
90 day: 40.11 mpg (US)
Thanks: 131
Thanked 258 Times in 188 Posts
Vehicle Maintenance: Scheduled, or as needed?

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

__________________
1973 Fiat 124 Special
1975 Honda Civic CVCC 4spd
1981 Kawasaki KZ750E
1981 Kawasaki KZ650 CSR
1983 Kawasaki KZ1100-A3
1986 Nissan 300zx Turbo 5 spd
1995 Chevy Astro RWD (current project)
1995 Mercury Tracer
2017 Kawasaki VersysX 300
2022 Corolla Hatchback 6MT

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6s...LulDUQ8HMj5VKA
  Reply With Quote
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 09-12-2020, 10:01 AM   #2 (permalink)
Master procastinator
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Panelia, Finland
Posts: 273

Turan turan - '09 Volkswagen Touran Freestyle

Combot - '04 Opel Combo Tour
90 day: 40.37 mpg (US)
Thanks: 103
Thanked 49 Times in 42 Posts
Regular maintenance (oil, filters, spark plugs etc.) "by the book" and other stuff like wheel bearings or shocks when needed.
__________________

  Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to iikhod For This Useful Post:
ASV (09-14-2020), Fat Charlie (09-13-2020), Xist (04-23-2021)
Old 09-12-2020, 03:29 PM   #3 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
101Volts's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 506

Woody - '90 Mercury Grand Marquis Wagon LS
Last 3: 19.57 mpg (US)

Brick - '99 Chevrolet K2500 Suburban LS
Last 3: 12.94 mpg (US)

M. C. - '01 Chevrolet Impala Base
90 day: 17.09 mpg (US)

R. J. - '05 Ford Explorer 4wd
90 day: 16 mpg (US)
Thanks: 934
Thanked 34 Times in 28 Posts
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.
__________________



  Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2020, 04:09 PM   #4 (permalink)
Human Environmentalist
 
redpoint5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Oregon
Posts: 12,364

Acura TSX - '06 Acura TSX
90 day: 24.19 mpg (US)

Lafawnda - '01 Honda CBR600 F4i
90 day: 47.32 mpg (US)

Big Yeller - '98 Dodge Ram 2500 base
90 day: 21.82 mpg (US)

Prius Plug-in - '12 Toyota Prius Plug-in
90 day: 57.64 mpg (US)

Mazda CX-5 - '17 Mazda CX-5 Touring
90 day: 26.68 mpg (US)

Chevy ZR-2 - '03 Chevrolet S10 ZR2
90 day: 17.14 mpg (US)
Thanks: 4,169
Thanked 4,372 Times in 3,347 Posts
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.
__________________
Gas and Electric Vehicle Cost of Ownership Calculator







Give me absolute safety, or give me death!
  Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2020, 06:32 PM   #5 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 1,745

Volt, gas only - '12 Chevrolet Volt Premium
90 day: 38.02 mpg (US)

Volt, electric only - '12 Chevrolet Volt Premium
90 day: 132.26 mpg (US)

Yukon Denali Hybrid - '12 GMC Yukon Denali Hybrid
90 day: 21.48 mpg (US)
Thanks: 206
Thanked 420 Times in 302 Posts
Fluids: as scheduled, or on some kind of schedule. Parts: When needed.
__________________




  Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2020, 01:15 PM   #6 (permalink)
マット
 
M_a_t_t's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Indiana
Posts: 718

The Van - '95 Chevy Astro Cl V8 Swapped
Team Chevy
90 day: 7.84 mpg (US)

The new bike - '17 Kawasaki Versys X 300 abs
Motorcycle
90 day: 71.94 mpg (US)

The Mercury - '95 Mercury Tracer Trio
Team Ford
90 day: 34.35 mpg (US)

Toyota - '22 Toyota Corolla Hatchback
90 day: 40.11 mpg (US)
Thanks: 131
Thanked 258 Times in 188 Posts
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.
__________________
1973 Fiat 124 Special
1975 Honda Civic CVCC 4spd
1981 Kawasaki KZ750E
1981 Kawasaki KZ650 CSR
1983 Kawasaki KZ1100-A3
1986 Nissan 300zx Turbo 5 spd
1995 Chevy Astro RWD (current project)
1995 Mercury Tracer
2017 Kawasaki VersysX 300
2022 Corolla Hatchback 6MT

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6s...LulDUQ8HMj5VKA
  Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2020, 09:18 AM   #7 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: na
Posts: 1,025
Thanks: 277
Thanked 218 Times in 185 Posts
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.
  Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2020, 10:53 AM   #8 (permalink)
Somewhat crazed
 
Piotrsko's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: 1826 miles WSW of Normal
Posts: 4,037
Thanks: 461
Thanked 1,099 Times in 970 Posts
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

Last edited by Piotrsko; 09-14-2020 at 10:58 AM..
  Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2020, 05:34 PM   #9 (permalink)
ASV
weirdo
 
ASV's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: PHX AZ
Posts: 119
Thanks: 7
Thanked 19 Times in 17 Posts
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

Last edited by ASV; 09-14-2020 at 05:55 PM..
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to ASV For This Useful Post:
Xist (04-23-2021)
Old 09-15-2020, 04:16 AM   #10 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Stubby79's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Victoria, BC
Posts: 1,747

Firefly EV - '98 Pontiac Firefly EV
90 day: 107.65 mpg (US)

Little Boy Blue - '05 Toyota Echo
90 day: 33.35 mpg (US)

BlueZ - '19 Nissan 370Z Sport
90 day: 17.19 mpg (US)
Thanks: 75
Thanked 576 Times in 426 Posts
Fluids: By schedule.
Tuneup items, timing belt, etc: By mileage.
All others: As they wear out.

  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread


Thread Tools




Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com