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A thought or two or three.......  2 Saabers Like This Post!
Posted by Herb Hirsch [Email]  (#114)  [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Herb Hirsch) on Thu, 10 Apr 2008 13:22:39
In Reply to: Recommendations, Liam S., Thu, 10 Apr 2008 11:58:54 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
Given that you want to approach maintenance in the most economical manner possible.....I've outlined below a few of the things to consider and a summary of the economical consequences of not doing so.
Part of my proposition is that you do some things yourself, or find a reputable indy.
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE EVERY 2-3 WEEKS. Improperly inflated tires eat into gas mileage and cause more rapid tire wear. Cost: AutoZone tire gauge and air.
ROTATE TIRES EVERY 5K MILES: Tires that are rotated (front to rear, not crossed) last more miles than those that are not. Cost: A little of your sweat.
FLUSH AND REPLACE BRAKE FLUID EVERY 2-4 YEARS: When the color starts to look like milk chocolate or darker it’s time. Cost: If you wait until damage shows up in the brake system you’ll understand why waiting will cost you dearly.
FLUSH AND REPLACE TRANSMISSION FLUID EVERY 30K-60K MILES: Depending on how long you keep the car you may get away without doing this. However, the cost of transmission repairs due to premature wear is way up there.
SERPENTINE BELT AND PULLEYS EVERY 60K MILES: If you don’t it’s usually a pulley that goes first; because you will have lost power to the water pump a tow is not optional. Cost: An avoidable tow, or very expensive engine damage if you keep driving after it breaks.
SPARK PLUGS AND AIR FILTER EVERY 30K MILES: If you don’t, gas mileage and performance will suffer. Worse, unburnt gases wreck havoc with the catalytic converter. Cost: Eventually, your gas bill will increase; worse, you may risk premature failure of the catalytic converter (very expensive).
LIGHT BULB CHECK EVERY COUPLE OF WEEKS: If you don’t, you may save money on the price of a bulb for a while…….but if you’re hit by someone who couldn’t see you on a rainy night. Cost: You Do the math……
CABIN VENTILATION FILTER REPLACEMENT EVERY 30K MILES: This is more a health issue than a cost matter. If you have asthma sufferers, they’ll love you for thinking of them.
OIL AND FILTER EVERY 5K MILES: The cost of not doing so is enormous. Have you priced an engine replacement lately?
COOLING SYSTEM MAINTENANCE EVERY 2-3 YEARS: Flush, hose check (for softness) and thermostat replacement is desirable. Cost: An overheated engine can cause expensive damage; An engine running too hot or cold effects gas mileage and performance…..and is a companion to undesirable sludge buildup a very expensive consequence. A hose check for softness is easy to do, and the remedy is cheap; a ruptured hose when you’re out camping in July is a bitch.
CONCLUSION: Others may add to this, refine it, or disagree in some area. I’ve tried to point out that not doing preventive maintenance ends up costing money, not saving it; in some cases the cost is quite high.
, Thu, 10 Apr 2008 13:22:39 <-- Viewing This Message
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