Important maintenance items not in Owner's Manuals

[Vaca]

It seems to me that certain maintenance items which are critical to long-term durability of the vehicle are not included in manufacturers' recommendations.

For instance, automatic transmission fluid changes. Rarely have I seen them on a manufacturer's maintenance schedule...sometimes they are on the severe service schedule, but they are usually not on the regular maintenance schedule.

Maybe this is because I consider "long-term" to be longer than the manufacturers. I could not imagine never changing the ATF in my cars, even though they are not subjected to any severe service.

Or maybe, just maybe, I'm (along with a lot of other BITOGers) wrong, and we really are wasting our time and energy changing ATF...?

Anyway, I don't think I'm wrong

, but I am wondering...are there other maintenance items which are conspicuosly absent from the recommendations in addition to ATF changes?

 

[Kestas]

Brake fluid maintenance on American cars.

 

[Vilan]

PCV valve. My manual doesn't say a word about it, but I changed mine to help pass emissions and the old one was plugged solid. Probably was like that for years.

 

[Gene K]

Most American Cars call for Auto Trans Fluid Change at 100,000 mi for normal service. My 2005 F150 Trans (4R75E) calls for fluid changes every 30,000 mi when towing.

 

[JavaMan]

My owners Manual for my 2005 Honda Civic Si was very disappointing. The dealership (at least in my opinion) wanted a confiscatory amount to change the cabin air filter. I had to search intensively on the www, but, after I found someone that had written (no schematics) instructions it took about 10 minutes and $20-30.00 for the filter.

 

[rpn453]

Brake and transmission fluids are often absent from North American maintenance schedules. I change them anyway. Usually these items can be found in the non-North American schedule for the same car.

 

[GMBoy]

Power steering fluid. Apparantly it's thought to be a lifetime fluid. I'm even guilty of ignoring it as far as flushing it goes. I do check it routinely. I've never read an owners manual or service manual that recommends changing the fluid - but just sucking it out and replacing it every so often seems like a good idea. I think I'm gonna change all my p/s fluids out now...

 

[AEHaas]

In all new cars I change the original coolant with a G-05 after 2 years then every 4 years thereafter.

Every spring I change motor oil and filters. I change the brake and PS fluid from their respective reservoirs as well. Any grease fitting is serviced. Door hinges and anything that moves is lubricated if necessary. Nuts and bolts are checked for tightness.

Air filters are changed after 2 - 3 years or 15 - 20,000 miles.

ATF is good for 3 - 4 years or 20,000 miles.

Internal a/c, ventilation filters, every 4 years.

Differential gear oil every 30 - 40,000 miles or 5 - 6 years.

Brake pads and tires are replaced before wear indicators are visible.

All are whichever occurs first. In no case is their high load severe use. But there is severe service based on short trips and mostly city driving.

aehaas

 

[Quickbeam]

I look at PS and autos as non-automotive in a sense. They're hydraulic systems. As such they're subject to the same problems all hydraulics systems suffer. I've learned from working in several industries the single greatest killer of hydraulic systems is contaminated fluid. Keeping fluid in a hydraulic system clean and cool almost always results in a long service life.

 

[AITG]

One simple thing that will keep you enjoying a quiet, dry ride is simply siliconing weatherstrip and panel bumpers (the little rubber things that align the hood, trunklid and doors). Don't forget the ones around the engine compartment.

 

[JohnBrowning]

It is all about stupid "Initial Cost of Ownership" reports!! This is why fuel filters on GM vechiles were removed from maintence list and schedule and then from almost all manufactures. Same thing for hydralic fluids, coolant,ATF, gear lube in diff.'s etc.....People in the industry know that most ATF's and gear lubes should be changed at around 30,000 for ATF's and 24,000 for gear lubes for best durability.Now that does not mean that you might not be able to run 50,000 miles or more but with out UOA how are you going to know? When you look at the cost of a fluid change it usualy is not cost effective to do a UOA on all of these systems. It is easier to simply change them out well before they go bad. If someone is useing cheap dino in an an engine that is not know to sludge or does not have specific oil needs you would be hard pressed to go wrong with a 3000-5000 mile oil change interval or every 6 months. If someone is useing dino it is hard to justify useing a $20 test to dertermine when you really should change the fluid.Then you have a lineup synthetic premium products of vastly supior make up to OEM fluids in some cases. How long can these vastly supior products last in your application?????? Hard to say without testing!!!

When you look at the price of a vechile being purchased not leased the cost of ATF,coolant and or gear lube is rather small. It is not like you are changeing them out 2-4 times a year like most people do with motor oil. It only costs a lot if you try to do them all at once or if you buy all of the product for a job all at once. If every other pay day you buy one 1-2 quart of gear lube or atf at the parts store you will quickly have what you need with little inopact on the posket book being noticed since the cost is being spread out!

 

[Stooge]

Most folks do not keep their cars past 40K. That's why there's no maintenance schedules. The car companies know this and thus have less "publicized" maintenance cost per vehicle.

On another front, BMW's new sales pitch is "Free Maintenance." Before this, BMW's were maintenance "hogs" according to the owner's manuals that called for all kinds of fluid changes at more realistic miles. Usually cost the average Joe $1000 a pop for BMW maintenance at the Stealerships (oh - "Centers"). Now, with BMW picking up the tab, there is relatively "No" maintenence required - go figure! Not even break-in fluid changes anymore at 1000 miles!!

 

[Vaca]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I already do most of these on my cars and my family's and close friends' cars.

*ATF - either a (close to) full change thru hoses or multiple pan drains - every 20 to 30,000 miles
*PS fluid - usually just the turkey baster method, whenever I remember - usually a couple of times a year
*brake fluid - full bleed every couple of years when pads/rotors are done, but also turkey baster method every year or so
*differential fluid - every 30 to 50,000 miles
*transfer case - every 30 to 50,000 miles
* Other miscellaneous stuff like PCV valve, silicon on weatherstripping, etc., etc.

It seems silly that the owner's manuals don't (usually) include a simple "how-to" for the cabin filters, at least show or state WHERE it is.

Anyhow, it seems that most of us beleive the owner's manual does NOT include all that it should. A plausible explanation for this is earlier in this thread. If that really is the reason, then that's pretty sad.

Sad, that millions of cars are unnecessarily wearing out prematurely. If we think about how many millions of cars are in this country alone, maybe 150 million (just a rough guess) and think about how many resources could be saved through better vehicle maintenance....it's monumental! Sure changing fluids more often has an impact on the environment, both on the supply side and the refuse side. But, I think the amount of waste from the premature wearing out of our nation's vehicles is on a scale far, far larger than the negative impact of extra fluid changes.

 

[X72]

Vaca, the manufacturers are more interested in selling cars, not keeping them running forever. While they are running, they want you to bring them to their service department to maximize their profits.

People get bored and want change. Eventhough they complain, they are at one level glad when their car dies and they "have to" buy another car.

People who look at these boards and are interested in the machine and its workings and identify with the machine are in the minority. Most people have a car to enhance their ego; once the car is more than 3 or 4 years "old," ego enhancement suffers and the desire for something new builds.

 

[X72]

I agree with Stooge; first owner (3 to 4 year lease). BMW's maintenance program is a sales tool to help move the off-lease cars at a better price.

Second owner from year 3 or 4 to year 7 0r 8. Dumps car when starts having "problems" or at year seven and buys another off-lease car.

Third owner and beyond; from year 7 or 8 to car's death. Minimal maintenance, and run car until crash or a major repair is required when it is better financially to buy another 7 year old car than fix current car.

Entire vehicle stock turns over every 12 years or so.

 

[Matt89]

Quote:

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Thanks for all the suggestions. I already do most of these on my cars and my family's and close friends' cars.

*ATF - either a (close to) full change thru hoses or multiple pan drains - every 20 to 30,000 miles
*PS fluid - usually just the turkey baster method, whenever I remember - usually a couple of times a year
*brake fluid - full bleed every couple of years when pads/rotors are done, but also turkey baster method every year or so
*differential fluid - every 30 to 50,000 miles
*transfer case - every 30 to 50,000 miles
* Other miscellaneous stuff like PCV valve, silicon on weatherstripping, etc., etc.

It seems silly that the owner's manuals don't (usually) include a simple "how-to" for the cabin filters, at least show or state WHERE it is.

Anyhow, it seems that most of us beleive the owner's manual does NOT include all that it should. A plausible explanation for this is earlier in this thread. If that really is the reason, then that's pretty sad.

Sad, that millions of cars are unnecessarily wearing out prematurely. If we think about how many millions of cars are in this country alone, maybe 150 million (just a rough guess) and think about how many resources could be saved through better vehicle maintenance....it's monumental! Sure changing fluids more often has an impact on the environment, both on the supply side and the refuse side. But, I think the amount of waste from the premature wearing out of our nation's vehicles is on a scale far, far larger than the negative impact of extra fluid changes.

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I have often thought about this too...and IMO vehicles really AREN'T wearing out 'prematurely' for the majority of people. Cars go to the junkyard because people no longer want the car bad enough to do the inevitable maintenance/repairs/replacements that are required after 10+ years on the road.
Not to mention that if you live anywhere with 4 real seasons you're bound to junk it for rust etc. before the engine/trans fail. I see tons of 'heaps' driving around that are mechanically sound but rusted out. Driven by folks who don't have the resources to get a newer car, or who wisely don't care what other people think about their ride.

Unless you are one of the smart FEW people who want to get the 'max' life out of your vehicle, and can handle the challenge of keeping up with an older car, following the manufacturer's schedule won't be an issue over the average vehicle lifespan. And in a way I think that's probably good enough, since all of the progress and innovation that we've enjoyed wouldn't happen if most cars stayed on the road past 10-15 years. Somebody has to prime the pump. If you don't want to be the one priming it, that's your call.

 

[Matt89]

Quote:

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Entire vehicle stock turns over every 12 years or so.

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I guess my point is that unless you've got a real 'gem', this isn't a bad thing. I sure wouldn't want myself or anyone I really cared about driving my old 1992 Cavalier right now.

 

[i30krab]

Auto manufacturing CEO to all departments,"Get this new car past the warranty period with as little company expenditure as possible"
Mission accomplished, let the stealerships clean up on repairs, screw the general motoring public, #@$%! the torpedos and full speed ahead to the country club!

 

[Vaca]

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I have often thought about this too...and IMO vehicles really AREN'T wearing out 'prematurely' for the majority of people. Cars go to the junkyard because people no longer want the car bad enough to do the inevitable maintenance/repairs/replacements that are required after 10+ years on the road.
Not to mention that if you live anywhere with 4 real seasons you're bound to junk it for rust etc. before the engine/trans fail. I see tons of 'heaps' driving around that are mechanically sound but rusted out. Driven by folks who don't have the resources to get a newer car, or who wisely don't care what other people think about their ride.

Unless you are one of the smart FEW people who want to get the 'max' life out of your vehicle, and can handle the challenge of keeping up with an older car, following the manufacturer's schedule won't be an issue over the average vehicle lifespan. And in a way I think that's probably good enough, since all of the progress and innovation that we've enjoyed wouldn't happen if most cars stayed on the road past 10-15 years. Somebody has to prime the pump. If you don't want to be the one priming it, that's your call.

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I think you're mostly right that most cars are not wearing out prematurely due to lack of maintenance that is not specified in the owner's manual. But I think most cars could last a lot longer, while remaining fully functional and safe, than most Americans realize. Maybe they don't want the car for ego reasons, etc. But regardless of the reason, it does seem sad to me that so many cars are allowed to unnecessarily go to their graves early. It just seems like a huge waste of resources.

But, you raise a good point countering the waste of resources...that vehicle turnover provides a stimulus for vehicle advancements. But, I think there are different kinds of vehicle advancements. For instance, I'd consider building more durability (galvanized sheet metal, stainless exhaust, etc) into a car as an advancement whereas another might consider an MP3 jack and a 50-way

surround sound system as an advancement.

And, yes, of course, each individual consumer makes his or her own value judgements. Thankfully I've grown out of the "priming the pump" phase of my life, and am now enjoying the enduring quality of my Lexus LS400.

 

[JTK]

Quote:

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...the manufacturers are more interested in selling cars, not keeping them running forever. While they are running, they want you to bring them to their service department to maximize their profits..

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Yes, but auto manufacturers have little to nothing to do with privately owned and operated dealerships.

Joel