Fun on the Highway

[Bass Babe]

Originally Posted by Swimmer

Bassbabe does your mechanic fish?

Ooh, I don't know, but good idea! He should have seen the rods in my backseat by now. I'll trade him a couple fishing trips for a new timing belt. Although most men are pretty skeevy, no matter how cool they seem, so fishing alone with the man may not be the best plan.

What is with everyone's doom and gloom? Personally, I hope my car will be fine. I've just graduated to remembering to get an oil change every 3K miles...is there a cheat sheet somewhere that tells you everything you need to replace and how often?

I need an oil change and new front brakes now, but it's not as if I'll have the cash once the big bend-over for the timing belt is through. Man!

[Bass Babe]

Just looked it up, and I believe that the Zetec engine in my car is non-interference, so I haven't mashed any valves or whatever. Hooray!!!

[justplugit]

Originally Posted by Bass Babe

Ooh, I've just graduated to remembering to get an oil change every 3K miles...is there a cheat sheet somewhere that tells you everything you need to replace and how often?

There should have been a maitenance manual that came with your car. If not, see if you can get one from your dealer as it will tell you the maintenance, aside from oil change, it needs every 10,000 miles.

[Mike P]

Here's some general rules.

Oil and filter--3000 miles. 7500 if you're doing strictly highway driving. I would suggest every 2000 if you do a lot of beach driving or serious off-roading.

Tranny (automatic)--every 30,000. Transfer case at the same interval if you have a 4x4.

I would suugest flushing the cooling system every 50,000 and a fresh coolant fill.

Serpentine belt---every 30,000. Carry a spare. They're not that hard to put on, and AAA will do it for you if you have a spare on board.

Timing belt---every 60,000. Especially if your engine is a valve-bender.

Electric fuel pumps can die without warning. I suggest replacing one at 100,000 as good PM.

[Squid kids Dad]

If it aint broke then dont fix it...Then again I have a company car...Thankfully

[Thom]

Been there done that and it trash the motor. Didn't cost me a cent because the belt broke before it was going to be changed. So Issiu ate the whole thing including the rental car for the three week it too to get a short block. ThomT

[Bass Babe]

Originally Posted by Thom

Been there done that and it trash the motor. Didn't cost me a cent because the belt broke before it was going to be changed. So Issiu ate the whole thing including the rental car for the three week it too to get a short block. ThomT

Score one for you! Mine costed a bit less than $400, as the pulley was shattered when the belt broke. But now my cruise control doesn't work, and that is an ESSENTIAL part of my car. Growl.