Guys, I really wanted to write an article that is the end-all be-all on a maintenance schedule for our vehicles. The end-user would be someone who is not necessarily a car-guy, someone who has a stock vehicle, stock fluids and filters, and someone who drives under normal conditions (i.e. no racing or off-roading etc.).
The schedule in the back of the manual is outdated (my dealer doesn't even offer Maintenance I or II packages anymore), and never addressed everything anyway. I was thinking of dividing it up into 3 different categories: miles, time, as-needed. The manual only covers the first two, but things like "when your car is idling rough with the AC on" should also be included. As soon as anyone of the 3 categories' condition for that service is met, that service should be performed, and then the miles and time should be considered "reset".
I need your guys' help though, since this obviously a controversial subject and any one person's opinion is probably not going to match up, so we need to get as large a sample size as possible. We are considering this to be a stock vehicle and any aftermarket upgrades the reader should be advised to use the manufacturer's instructions over what it says in this schedule. I know that people are going to say, "there's no one BEST way to maintain your vehicle" and I understand what you're saying, but the kind of person this is written for is someone who doesn't have enough knowledge to make their own decisions about maintenance. We ought to be able to come up with a schedule that covers everything someone would reasonably need to take care of in order to keep the car in good running condition and avoid more expensive repairs in the future or unnecessary wear on the vehicle.
I have included a google doc spreadsheet of what is covered in the manual. However, this is just what was in my Chevy 4.2L I6 manual. I'm not sure if other engines or other makes are going to differ. Would this require a separate maintenance schedule for each make, each engine, each model, or any combination of the above? Or can one schedule cover a combination of vehicles.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ArSASKA6Dm6udFlZbjhEeWstYkt3NzNueXdTZjZqNEE&usp=sharing
Maybe what would be best is if people just threw out other stuff they think should belong on this list, and what is the miles/time/trigger for this maintenance. Also, if you disagree with what's written in the manual, that would be cool too.
One last note, this is not a common repairs thing, it's supposed to be what one would consider "preventative maintenance" meaning it is supposed to prevent having to do a repair in the first place. However, with the triggers thing added in, this line is getting kind of blurry. Not sure what y'all think about that. For example, if you say you should lube your doors every year, but also if they start creaking or seem like they need it, the former sounds like a preventative maintenance and the latter sounds like a repair.
Anyway...
So if I wanted to add some:
Miles: N/A
Time: N/A
Other Trigger: You notice that the car is idling rough with the AC on
Service: Clean throttle body
Miles:
Time: 1 year since last
Other Trigger: Trim/weatherstripping/door gaskets appear dry or cracking
Service: Treat trim/weatherstripping/door gaskets with rubber protectant.
Miles: N/A
Time: N/A
Other Trigger: You are performing any maintenance involving removal of the front grill
Service: Use a small brush to clear off any debris that has become lodged in the front of your radiator
Miles: N/A
Time: N/A
Other Trigger: Bulb in headlight or taillight out
Service: Replace all bulbs in the headlight or taillight "while you're there" since they were all put in at the same time and will soon be failing as well
Miles:
Time:1 month since last
Other Trigger:
Service: Start the vehicle and run for 30 minutes, preferably even being taken for a drive at highway speeds
Miles: N/A
Time: 1 month since last
Other Trigger: tires look deflated, tread wear pattern is heavier in the center than the sides, or vice-versa
Service: Check air pressure and replace if necessary
Miles: 3,000 since last
Time: 3 months since last
Other Trigger: About to embark on a long trip
Service: Check oil, check tire pressure, check washer fluid, check coolant
Miles: N/A
Time: N/A
Other Trigger: Doors creak
Service: ????I tried white lithium grease inside the grommet where the ball bearings are and it did jack, couldn't find additional advice besides replace the bearings, which obviously is what this service item is trying to prevent from being necessary
The schedule in the back of the manual is outdated (my dealer doesn't even offer Maintenance I or II packages anymore), and never addressed everything anyway. I was thinking of dividing it up into 3 different categories: miles, time, as-needed. The manual only covers the first two, but things like "when your car is idling rough with the AC on" should also be included. As soon as anyone of the 3 categories' condition for that service is met, that service should be performed, and then the miles and time should be considered "reset".
I need your guys' help though, since this obviously a controversial subject and any one person's opinion is probably not going to match up, so we need to get as large a sample size as possible. We are considering this to be a stock vehicle and any aftermarket upgrades the reader should be advised to use the manufacturer's instructions over what it says in this schedule. I know that people are going to say, "there's no one BEST way to maintain your vehicle" and I understand what you're saying, but the kind of person this is written for is someone who doesn't have enough knowledge to make their own decisions about maintenance. We ought to be able to come up with a schedule that covers everything someone would reasonably need to take care of in order to keep the car in good running condition and avoid more expensive repairs in the future or unnecessary wear on the vehicle.
I have included a google doc spreadsheet of what is covered in the manual. However, this is just what was in my Chevy 4.2L I6 manual. I'm not sure if other engines or other makes are going to differ. Would this require a separate maintenance schedule for each make, each engine, each model, or any combination of the above? Or can one schedule cover a combination of vehicles.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ArSASKA6Dm6udFlZbjhEeWstYkt3NzNueXdTZjZqNEE&usp=sharing
Maybe what would be best is if people just threw out other stuff they think should belong on this list, and what is the miles/time/trigger for this maintenance. Also, if you disagree with what's written in the manual, that would be cool too.
One last note, this is not a common repairs thing, it's supposed to be what one would consider "preventative maintenance" meaning it is supposed to prevent having to do a repair in the first place. However, with the triggers thing added in, this line is getting kind of blurry. Not sure what y'all think about that. For example, if you say you should lube your doors every year, but also if they start creaking or seem like they need it, the former sounds like a preventative maintenance and the latter sounds like a repair.
Anyway...
So if I wanted to add some:
Code:
[B]Miles: [/B]
[B]Time: [/B]
[B]Other Trigger: [/B]
[B]Service: [/B]Miles: N/A
Time: N/A
Other Trigger: You notice that the car is idling rough with the AC on
Service: Clean throttle body
Miles:
Time: 1 year since last
Other Trigger: Trim/weatherstripping/door gaskets appear dry or cracking
Service: Treat trim/weatherstripping/door gaskets with rubber protectant.
Miles: N/A
Time: N/A
Other Trigger: You are performing any maintenance involving removal of the front grill
Service: Use a small brush to clear off any debris that has become lodged in the front of your radiator
Miles: N/A
Time: N/A
Other Trigger: Bulb in headlight or taillight out
Service: Replace all bulbs in the headlight or taillight "while you're there" since they were all put in at the same time and will soon be failing as well
Miles:
Time:1 month since last
Other Trigger:
Service: Start the vehicle and run for 30 minutes, preferably even being taken for a drive at highway speeds
Miles: N/A
Time: 1 month since last
Other Trigger: tires look deflated, tread wear pattern is heavier in the center than the sides, or vice-versa
Service: Check air pressure and replace if necessary
Miles: 3,000 since last
Time: 3 months since last
Other Trigger: About to embark on a long trip
Service: Check oil, check tire pressure, check washer fluid, check coolant
Miles: N/A
Time: N/A
Other Trigger: Doors creak
Service: ????I tried white lithium grease inside the grommet where the ball bearings are and it did jack, couldn't find additional advice besides replace the bearings, which obviously is what this service item is trying to prevent from being necessary
. Let's do it.