Preventative maintenance and general TLC

[KardioKate]

What / how much of this do you do?

Previously I've literally replaced things as they've broken. Obviously I have had my cars serviced at about MOT time too (apart from the sheds) - I'm more interested in things you do yourself to potentially minimise any hassles later on?

Cheerses!

[Wattsie]

Cambelt and tyres are the usual ones for me, since cambelts can save a whole lot of hassle later on and tyres because mismatched ditchfinders tend to come on second hand cars, which I deem to be a pain in the arse.

[anonymous-user]

Thorough cleaning of under the arches and body, especially in winter.

In my head this means I'm less likely to have bubbling arches in years to come, and suspension components are less likely to be rusted to hell - when they do fail hopefully the bolts will be easier to undo

[Alfahorn]

I'm not very practical but do like to keep on top of the maintenance of my car. Every mechanical gets done, I've just had the bonnet painted because of stone chips as well as the alloys refurbed and some parking dents taken out.

[Astra Dan]

If the car's a keeper, after you've given it a good wash around the undersides and wheel arches, let it dry for a day if you can and buy a few cans of aerosol wax spray and go nuts with it. Shove the straw up drain holes in the doors, sills and all around the arches.
Cut a 1/3 off the recommended oil change intervals.
Change coolant and brake fluid every 2 years.

[PhillipM]

Lots!

[BeirutTaxi]

Personally I think it's worth doing, although there are plenty out there who would call you utterly mad for doing so.

I was thinking about replacing all three coil packs (yes, I am missing a banger). On the last two cars I've had they seem to go every 40k. I was told I would be mad to change them now as they haven't gone, however I do loads of long distance driving and can't be arsed with one going whilst I am miles from anywhere.

Other than that:

• My pads are at 10% of the originial thickness and I am about to change them myself.
• Oil is changed every 5k with fully synthetic Castrol (for timing chain and tensioner purposes)
• Coolant is done early due to it's anti corrosion properties (critical)
• Cleaned regularly and coated with Carlack 68 (I make the excuse it's for protection purposes when in actual fact it's just because I like cleaning it on a Sunday afternoon, I'm sure the neighbours think I have neither friends nor a sexual life)

Additionally when buying cars I am always most interested in ones where preventative maintenance has been applied

Kind regards,

Matt
(Design Engineer)

Edited by BeirutTaxi on Thursday 26th July 19:37

[falkster]

Both my M3 and 968 get job listed every year, parts I think need replacing or anything that's cropped up in the previous year. As the jobs get completed the list still doesn't seem to get any smaller!!

This year:-
M3

• disc and pads all round
• new period stereo (not really maintenance)
• alternator bushes
• inspection 2 (October) - had one in April

968

• cambelt service
• tyres all round
• front discs/pads

[WhoseGeneration]

Wouldn't it be good to be able to build your own car on the assembly line, adding extra preventative measures?
I have a list if ever such comes to pass.

[BeirutTaxi]

WhoseGeneration said:

Wouldn't it be good to be able to build your own car on the assembly line, adding extra preventative measures?
I have a list if ever such comes to pass.

Such as?...

Mass customisation is a huge development in manufacturing... So maybe possible in that respect.

Don't forget it's better for them if you promptly buy another new, shiny tin can though

[aw51 121565]

BeirutTaxi said:

...

I was thinking about replacing all three coil packs (yes, I am missing a banger). On the last two cars I've had they seem to go every 40k. I was told I would be mad to change them now as they haven't gone, however I do loads of long distance driving and can't be arsed with one going whilst I am miles from anywhere.

...

In all seriousness, with your gut feeling (and your awareness of a potential problem which is good ) buy just one and keep it somewhere safe in the car. Then when the inevitable happens on a long journey, you are back on the road in minutes and know the other two haven't got long left and so can replace them soonish but at your convenience .

[Welshbeef]

The following I consider to be routine servicing

Bi annual brake and coolant change
Discs pads tyres etc
Cambelt change isn't preventative it's a service item

Preventative servicing is in my eyes
Changing the radiator
Changing the brake pipes
Changing the thermostat
Changing wheel bearings
Changing hand brake cables
Changing the engine mountings
Changing the drivers seat due to seat sagging
Changing the windscreen they get scratched chipped etc
Changing the rear window as the heating element fails
Changing the gas struts on bonnet and boot lift.
Changing gearbox oil
Changing the battery every 5 years
Changing all the bulbs in the car every year
New door and boot seals.

Replacing the brake calipers

Erc etc. some are crazy to do with little benefit while others have much more benefits and payback.
I've not changed engine mounts nor brake pipes nor rear screen nor drivers seat

[swifthobo]

I drive 21 yo jap car so learning to weld was essential

[Welshbeef]

swifthobo said:

I drive 21 yo jap car so learning to weld was essential

I guess re ubdersealibg is another important preventative activity.


It all depends on how long you are keeping the car if it's a proper keeper like a classic car then you may change all the bearings the mountings glass etc but for a 11 year old run about which is an a to b car you wouldn't be as extreme.

[WhoseGeneration]

BeirutTaxi said:

WhoseGeneration said:

Wouldn't it be good to be able to build your own car on the assembly line, adding extra preventative measures?
I have a list if ever such comes to pass.

Such as?...

Mass customisation is a huge development in manufacturing... So maybe possible in that respect.

Don't forget it's better for them if you promptly buy another new, shiny tin can though

In no particular order, let's assume a galvanised and completely dry shell and panels, internal sections thoroughly painted and coated with anticorrosion product, external underbody, anti stonechip primer before final coat. Underbody properly undersealed.
Cadmium plated (I'm aware of the cost and problems) fasteners, assembled with anti corrosion products.
Wiring connectors assembled with anti corrosion products, wiring exposed to heat shielded with an appropriate sleeve.
No open cell foams used for NVH reasons.
All ECUs and BCMs properly weatherproofed, preferably not located in an agressive environment.

Nah, you're right, it'll never run, "new, shiny tin can".

Remember, the aeroplane flying you on your hols, is likely to be older than your car.
Run, run for the hills.

[anonymous-user]

Some nutty posts! Changing the rad...maybe if it leaks!

Biggest payback is changing the engine oil more frequently. Second is the gearbox oil, extends life of everything. No point in swapping bearings until they're noisy. Best bet is to get onto the owners forums and find out the weakpoints, all cars have them.

[BeirutTaxi]

WhoseGeneration said:

Remember, the aeroplane flying you on your hols, is likely to be older than your car.
Run, run for the hills.

Not older than the Mercedes 190 Taxi I was traveling in whilst in The Gambia. 1983 car IIRC, Over 600k miles and was still going well!

God I miss owning one.

[nottyash]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFlfIFzsv80&fea...
Get yourself one of these, due to be released soon.
You can take an oil sample and check it.
It will tell you whether the oil is ok or lost any lubricating properties aswell as if there are any underlying problems such as mechanical wear/ debris, oil overheating,coolant in oil, fuel dilution.
Only about £1500 when released in September.

Maybe a bit extreme for the average car enthusiast

CBM isnt just about overkill and changing oils more frequently. Its about looking at potential problems, and any evidence in the oil or coolant you remove.
Also its cost effective to check the oil rather than change anyway because often there is no need.

Edited by nottyash on Friday 27th July 18:27