Maintenance Schedule Ideas / Advice / Recommendations

[chadhgraves]

I'm approaching 117,000 miles on my 2003 Vibe Base FWD, 1.8L engine (code 8), Automatic transmission, and I'm looking to get a thorough idea of what you guys have done and what you recommend to keep her going as long as possible. I've owned it since Dec 2004. I've scanned the forums and manual to see what I can do myself and what I will leave up to my mechanic next time it goes in a couple months for an oil change and new brakes. I routinely have my oil changed around every 3,000 miles. Here's a list of what I've done so far and what I plan to do here shortly. 01. Routinely have oil/filter changed every 3,000 miles or so. 02. Cleaned MAF sensor.03. Putting in new NGK IFR5T11 Iridium spark plugs this week.04. Will check engine air filter this week and replace if needed.05. Put in new cabin air filter.06. Fixed recirculating air motor by flipping broken gear 180'07. Fixed window clunk problem by filing down door catch lever. 08. Installed new ACDelco CV2523C PCV Valve.09. Checked hoses, look fine. 10. Installed new front windshield washer pump.11. Replacing cracked windshield this week.12. Replace wipers after new windshield is installed.13. Replaced belt tensioner ~40,000 miles ago.14. Replaced a couple motor mounts around same time as belt tensioner. 15. Putting in a bottle of Chevron Techron Fuel System Cleaner next fill up.16. Replaced battery a couple times. Are there any beefier batteries that fit?17. Replaced tires, rotated, balanced, alignment when needed. 18. A/C was repaired, recharged a few years ago.19. Zip-tied undercarriage cladding when it came loose. 20. Remove rust on wheels, paint them, so they won't show through covers. 21. Minor interior/exterior fixes.22. Switch map/dome/license/CHMSL bulbs with led bulbs. 23. (Original) brakes have 15% left on them. Will be replaced during next oil change. 24. Should I replace any other brake components?25. Probably replace gas cap soon, just cause.26. Check tire pressure monthly.27. WD-40 hinges, latches, seat rails, seat belt connections, and whatever else.28. Lubricate/condition weatherstripping. That's what I can think of right now. I'll add to it later if I think of more. Now here's a few things that I need to have checked and need some advice on. I'll probably leave these to my mechanic. 01. Any suggestions for quality brakes or leave it up to my mechanic. I trust him by the way. 02. Change automatic transaxle fluid every 60,000 miles (100 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these conditions:– In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reaches 90F (32C) or higher.– In hilly or mountainous terrain.– When doing frequent trailer towing.– Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.If you do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions, check the fluid.Some of those apply other than the towing. Should I have him drain and replace? Not sure when it was done last. Any suggestions on fluid?03. Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every 24 months, whichever occurs first). See “Engine Coolant” in the Index for what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and neck. Pressure test cooling system and pressure cap. Not sure when that was done last either. 04. Change transfer case fluid when doing frequent trailer towing. Never towed anything. Is this necessary?05. Change rear differential fluid when doing frequent trailer towing. Again, is this one necessary? Not sure if either have been done. 06. Lubricate chassis components. Where exactly and is this something I could do myself?07. Inspect for tappet noise and engine vibration. Adjust valve clearance to factory specifications if necessary (or every 48 months, whichever occurs first). Have no idea how to do that. Recommended or leave it be?08. Check and replace brake fluid, power steering fluid. Looks good from what I can tell.That's everything I can think of. I'm trying to get everything in tip top shape since it's getting up there in miles. I'll admit that I slacked off for a bit on the little things, but it's been such a low maintenance car since I've bought it. It still drives great by the way. Any input, advice, or if there's something I've missed would be greatly appreciated. I want to have some specifics to have my mechanic go over when I take it in next. Thanks.

[sideshowalan]

Nice looking vibe, wish I could have found one in black.Things you've done:01 - 3000 mile oil change is way too frequent and a product of greedy mechanics. You can go 5000 on conventional oil and 7500+ on synthetic.15 - Going to recommend againsts fuel system cleaner unless it's a last ditch effort to fix a fuel problem. At best they're snake oil, at worst they'll damage your car.24 - Your mechanic will let you know how your rotors are doing and replace them if they're warped or thin.Things you're wondering about:01 - Ceramic brakes are the way to go, as opposed to semi-metallic or organic. You'll be limited to what brands your mechanic has on hand.02 - Regardless of severe/highway driving, change auto fluid every 60K miles minimum. More often if you are harsh with the car.03 - Definitely drain/fill the coolant if it hasn't been done already.04 - This is talking about transmission fluid. Don't worry about it if you don't tow.05 - This is for AWD only, there is no rear diff on FWD like you have.06 - Don't worry unless you're hearing anything strange. A groan or creak in the car will tell you if a bushing or joint needs to be lubed.07 - This involves an in depth engine inspection. Don't think anyone here would tear down their engine just to 'make sure' it's running ok if it wasn't alraedy giving them problems.Front brakes would make a good DIY project. Grab a haynes manual and watch some youtube how-tos to build your confidence.

[ehoff121]

27. WD-40 hinges, latches, seat rails, seat belt connections, and whatever else. I believe that white lithium grease is the proper lubricant for hinges.28. Lubricate/condition weatherstripping. Spray silicone would be a good choice for thisI'd also add:Meguiars Hot Shine foam on the tires (including the spare- check the air pressure while you've got the tire out). It replaces the UV inhibitors that 'bloom' from the tire as a brown film.A Meguiars surface protectant product (I've used Natural Shine - not too shiny) on the dashboard

[chadhgraves]

Excellent advice guys. Thank you for clearing up the loose ends on the maintenance questions. I'll look into what kind of ceramic brakes to buy. Might buy some and let my mechanic put them on or do the research you were saying and see if it's something I'd be comfortable doing. So, I'll tell him I want the transmission fluid drained/filled, engine coolant drained/cleaned/filled, check rotors, calipers, and new pads, and that should get me caught up and keep me going for awhile. I'll pick up some lithium grease and silicone spray to go over all the hinges and weatherstripping. I bought some tire conditioner recently and I'll be sure to clean and check the spare. I have some Armor All left that I'll probably use on the interior, even though it leaves things greasy for awhile. When I was cleaning up the rust on my wheels, I noticed the mount on the axle where you bolt the tire to the car is covered in rust. Is this a problem or should I just go at it with some rust stripper and a wire brush to clean it up a bit.

[ehoff121]

Quote, originally posted by chadhgraves »So, I'll tell him I want the transmission fluid drained/filled, engine coolant drained/cleaned/filled, ...Be sure he uses Toyota T-IV fluid and not simply a "compatible" type. A drain and fill only gets a portion of the old fluid out, but it allows him to see the bottom of the pan.A few on here have had a Toyota dealer do a fluid exchange, as it ends up being only a little more expensive than if you were to do multiple drain and fills to get the old fluid out.

[circuitsmith]

If you change the trans fluid every 30K miles all you'll need is a drain and refill.I recommend changing the thermostat and radiator cap every 5 years on a car driven daily.If you stick with Toyota Super Long Life Coolant (pink) or GM's equivalent a simple drain and fill every 5 years will do - no need to flush.An easy DIY: drain and refill the power steering reservoir once a year.Flush brake fluid every 3 years.Techron once a year.

[chadhgraves]

If I take some pictures of my engine fluids and levels, could you guys tell by sight if the fluids need to be changed or if they're fine. I'll take some photos of the power steering fluid reservoir, transmission fluid dipstick, brake fluid, and not sure how to check the engine coolant reservoir. Is possible to tell by color on some of the fluids, like transmission fluid on a dipstick, or is it something you check by draining some old fluid out.

[sideshowalan]

Power steeringCheck - marks on side of tank that indicate minimum/maximum level when cold/hot. There is debate on whether or not to change it. Can't hurt to drain/fill but may not be necessary.Brake FluidCheck - marks on side of tank that indicate minimum/maximum level. Change it out if it's dark or discolored. Color should be light or even clear.Auto TransmissionCheck - Red dipstick. Check with engine running after shifting through all the gears and leaving it in park. Marks on the stick will tell you the minimum/maximum levl. CoolantCheck - lean over and look at the side of the overflow tank that faces the firewall. Marks on side of tank that indicate minimum/maximum level. I have to put a flashlight flat against the top of my tank in order to see the coolant easily.If you don't see any of the marks I'm talking about, wipe the side of the reservoirs down with a damp rag.

[Water boy]

Some quickie items:Hawk yellow pads.EBC rotors.Get engine oil checked out by Blackstone Labs.Replace brake fluid.Replace power steering fluid.303 Protectant is best for plastic indoor trim.Stay as far as you can away from Armour-all.Limit your use of WD40. It is NOT a lubricant.Visit BobIsTheOilGuy website.

[chadhgraves]

Bought some lithium grease to go over the moving parts and weather stripping. This is the first I've heard of that 303 protectant. Going to buy a little bottle and see how it does.

[Water boy]

Quote, originally posted by chadhgraves »Bought some lithium grease to go over the moving parts and weather stripping. This is the first I've heard of that 303 protectant. Going to buy a little bottle and see how it does. I'm on a truck forum that is huge.303 has been rated tops all the time.

[ehoff121]

Quote, originally posted by chadhgraves »Bought some lithium grease to go over the moving parts and weather stripping. DO NOT use lithium grease on weatherstripping, that's what the spray silicone is for. Lithium grease goes on hinges and can be used on hood and hatchback latches.

[chadhgraves]

Did I say that? Looks like I did. My bad, I've been talking and researching so many fluid and lubrications that I've had a brain fart.