Hi everyone
Basically I have a bit of a passion with keeping cars going for as long as possible. Despite being 18 when I bought my car, I chose it on it's mechanics and low mileage rather than how fast it is, what it looks like, what mods I can do etc. like most people my age!
A lot of people are on this site to gain information on what's best to keep their vehicles running in top condition for as long as they can.
What do you do as regular maintenance to keep your car going?
I got my car nearly 2 years ago (basics are in my signature) with only 115,000kms on it. It looked like it hadn't been overly looked after, in fact there was a spot of bat turd that had been there so long it had completely removed a spot of the clear coat on the hood!
Everything on it was (and still is) factory original including the rear brake pads and diff oil. These are extremely tough engines even though the lifters love to rattle a bit!
The car now has 175,000kms on it and has not let me down once and isn't showing any signs of doing.
I used to change the oil and filter every 10,000kms but I'm lowering it to 7,500. (Recommended is 15,000)
I plan on changing trans fluid, filter and gasket every 30,000kms or so
The diff oil is still factory fill! But I plan on doing this with my trans every 30,000
I have changed my spark plugs at about 135,000kms, will do these every 50,000
I've just replaced the coil pack and leads, basically because they were original and old and had a slight miss under load
I just changed my coolant, thermostat and gaskets and plan on doing this every 2 years
I applied some fish oil as a measure to prevent rust but it hasn't got much rust yet anyway
I also wash and give it a good wax with nu finish regularly and the paint has come up literally like new. I've given the interior a good valet as well and it has also come up like new.
Only thing is my shock absorbers are completely shot (from taking a big sedan off road) and my engine mounts are dead causing the car to shake at idle when in drive.
Other than that I haven't done anything to it and not once has it let me down despite copping a good flogging every now and then and off the beaten track, well into 4x4 territory.
It has turned out to be an excellent car for $3000 and I want to keep it as long as I can!
I'm interested in everyone's personal tips on how to achieve this
Thanks
Jacob
Basically I have a bit of a passion with keeping cars going for as long as possible. Despite being 18 when I bought my car, I chose it on it's mechanics and low mileage rather than how fast it is, what it looks like, what mods I can do etc. like most people my age!
A lot of people are on this site to gain information on what's best to keep their vehicles running in top condition for as long as they can.
What do you do as regular maintenance to keep your car going?
I got my car nearly 2 years ago (basics are in my signature) with only 115,000kms on it. It looked like it hadn't been overly looked after, in fact there was a spot of bat turd that had been there so long it had completely removed a spot of the clear coat on the hood!
Everything on it was (and still is) factory original including the rear brake pads and diff oil. These are extremely tough engines even though the lifters love to rattle a bit!
The car now has 175,000kms on it and has not let me down once and isn't showing any signs of doing.
I used to change the oil and filter every 10,000kms but I'm lowering it to 7,500. (Recommended is 15,000)
I plan on changing trans fluid, filter and gasket every 30,000kms or so
The diff oil is still factory fill! But I plan on doing this with my trans every 30,000
I have changed my spark plugs at about 135,000kms, will do these every 50,000
I've just replaced the coil pack and leads, basically because they were original and old and had a slight miss under load
I just changed my coolant, thermostat and gaskets and plan on doing this every 2 years
I applied some fish oil as a measure to prevent rust but it hasn't got much rust yet anyway
I also wash and give it a good wax with nu finish regularly and the paint has come up literally like new. I've given the interior a good valet as well and it has also come up like new.
Only thing is my shock absorbers are completely shot (from taking a big sedan off road) and my engine mounts are dead causing the car to shake at idle when in drive.
Other than that I haven't done anything to it and not once has it let me down despite copping a good flogging every now and then and off the beaten track, well into 4x4 territory.
It has turned out to be an excellent car for $3000 and I want to keep it as long as I can!
I'm interested in everyone's personal tips on how to achieve this
Thanks
Jacob