shutterbug

What needs to be done on a 80k 05 Corolla beside oil change, tranny flush, air filter, brakes, maybe a serp belt, maybe an injector flush if crappy gas used?  I can't think of any right now that will greatly improve it's performance.

Cars nowadays *almost* maintenance free until 160k compared to the old days.

shutterbug

33# shutterbug


this is what i did:

transmission fluid (was very dirty)
brake fluid (very dirty)
coolant
power steering fluid (customer requested)
clean and adjusted rear brakes
air filter
pollen  ...
字典仔 發表於 2009-12-11 18:41

OK this is what I think.

Of the things you listed, these are not required on the maint schedule for 80k: coolant (long life one), power steering fluid, spark plugs (iridium)

Brake fluid should be changed at the same time when brakes are changed.  I always recommend that.  Pollen filter doesn't have anything to do with the driveability of the car so it was not included in my thought, just like wiper blades.  So what you have there is just what I thought.  I don't think it will improve performance that much lor.

What I meant by maint free is nowadays you don't really need to tune anything like the old days, i.e. carb, timing, adjust valve lash, etc.  When you go get a service, it's mostly just "inspection".

shutterbug

When there's raditor leak, a lot of the time it's not because of the long life coolant going bad.  Many times it's because bad quality rad in the first place, engine overheated before or other engine problem, problem in other parts of the cooling system, owner put wrong coolant, live in a salty area, got hit, etc

Iridium plugs are rated for 160k, so at 100k they should still have plenty of life.  Now of course these iridium plugs must be of good quality in the first place.  Some domestic although they say 160k, they are faulty at 60k.  I replaced them on a Corolla at 160k and the plugs that came out still look fine, never missfire or have any other driveablilty problem and no obvious improvement after I put in new plugs.

Btw, I've always thought that pollen filter is not needed for everyone.  Unless you have asthma or other breathing issue, you don't need it.  How many people drive with their windows down?  If you walk in downtown the air is much worse?  Anyway, it's not hard to do and the dealership can rip you off by doing this.  For normal people, the only pollen filter you need is your nostrils...LOL

shutterbug

42# 字典仔


It was a 92' 325i. Sold it already la...but I still remember I was in the middle of road while the water started to boil. The temperature just go right up. Ho scary ga...
fibbi 發表於 2009-12-15 11:29

I think BMW calls for a special type of coolant.  Many times it's not because of not flushing coolant system often enough, it's because people put in the wrong stuff or parts failure.  Do you use tap water or distilled water?  That could make a big difference as our water have so much chlorine and minerals.  However, 99.9% of the auto repair (even dealerships) will use tap water.

shutterbug

Windshield washer you add tap water?  Won't freezes in Calgary.

Don't worry 99.9% people will use tap water with antifreeze but it's not the recommended way.

For peace of mind you can change engine oil and flush cooling sys at much as you'd like I don't care, only the mother nature, the mechanic and the oil company care lol

shutterbug

I think I'm not the "anal" type of car owner but a balanced type; do whatever it needs.  I've seen many cases that yes the owner put a lot of effort in oil change, etc but it turns out that the car had electrical problem after like 15 years and it had to go to the junk yard.  So all the money and effort you put in is a waste.  Yes, the engine still has lots of life in it but you can't use it.  At the end of the day, you're worse than a slightly more worn engine but with good electricals.  This is just a different case for discussion.  Today's engine can easily last longer than other components in your car given you follow the maint schedule.  With complicated electronics in our cars today, engine life will not be the bottleneck I think.