Less common maintenance items but still important?

[Ferzerp]

That will gradually decrease repeated braking ability, but most people wouldn't really notice old fluid for a while..then when a line rusts through and breaks during a panic stop, bad things happen.

Sure, if you're a weenie! Real men boil their fluid first!

 

[slag]

According to my sister in law, you can tell when you need to change the coolant because it turns from green to orange and then finally clear.

/facepalm

 

[Ferzerp]

Well crap... Mine is pink. I don't know what to do!

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Brake and power steering fluid flushes are now kinda fun with my mityvac kit. Just hook it up to compressor and unscrew bleeder with hose attached and watch dirty fluid flow out. Once it's clear go to the next wheel.
Not sure if power steering is necessary but from what I've read it doesn't hurt and most say it's helpful.

Also if you're itching to take the brakes apart you could always tear em apart and re grease the slider pins and glides and check for uneven wear.

 

[Fritzo]

According to my sister in law, you can tell when you need to change the coolant because it turns from green to orange and then finally clear.

/facepalm

I demand your sister-in-law writes a book. Also, she forgot the purple stage.

 

[Fritzo]

Brake and power steering fluid flushes are now kinda fun with my mityvac kit. Just hook it up to compressor and unscrew bleeder with hose attached and watch dirty fluid flow out. Once it's clear go to the next wheel.
Not sure if power steering is necessary but from what I've read it doesn't hurt and most say it's helpful.

Also if you're itching to take the brakes apart you could always tear em apart and re grease the slider pins and glides and check for uneven wear.

I have a fluid extractor, and it was the best $70 I've ever spent. My last few cars had the oil filter in the engine bay, so to do an oil change you just had to suck the oil out of the dip stick hose, replace the filter, then refill. Same with brake fluid. It's awesome!

 

[TridenT]

I did a brake fluid bleed today and a coolant flush. For the coolant: Drained it. Poured some distilled water through it. Filled it with 50/50-ish (Guesstimate), ran the car thoroughly, drained that, and then filled it up one last time. Probably overkill, all in all. But, I don't mind. I didn't feel like keeping the excess coolant and distilled water around.)

Brake fluid took two small bottles. It actually took probably 40+ presses of the pedal for the front brake fluid to come out clear. I actually stopped at around 10-20 presses for the front and then did the rear because I was just like, "Wtf is going on." Ridiculously high amount... The rear brakes came out clear much quicker than the front. Whatevs. It's all 100% clear now and clean brake fluid. It was a pretty painless process too. The most painful part of it all was just jacking the car up and getting the tires off. (My car has no jack points that my jack can get to except for 2; 1 in front and the rear part of the frame)

Funny thing is, I have to replace the brake pads very soon. I'm going to replace the rotors while I'm at it (Meh, why not?). Suggestions on brake pads and rotors? I was looking at these pads: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

and these rotors: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Also, spark plug wires? I was looking at mine was wondering if I should replace them or not. I don't know if they've ever been replaced. The car is at 160k. These are about $53. It's a bit confusing as to whether or not these are actually good for my car. I'll have to check around. http://www.amazon.com/NGK-HE73-Premium-Spark-Plug/dp/B000IYBERG/ref=pd_sim_auto_13

 

[kitatech]

Also, spark plug wires? I was looking at mine was wondering if I should replace them or not. I don't know if they've ever been replaced. The car is at 160k. These are about $53. It's a bit confusing as to whether or not these are actually good for my car. I'll have to check around. http://www.amazon.com/NGK-HE73-Premium-Spark-Plug/dp/B000IYBERG/ref=pd_sim_auto_13

If they're getting "spark" to the coils/plugs they work...I have one of my coils connected to the wire with electrical tape (the coil's connecting clip had gotten hard-brittle after 7 years and cracked)...and it's just fine...

 

[JCH13]

I would suggest R4S brake pads and run whatever rotors you want. Centric rotors are good, I've also had good luck with generic Autozone rotors.

Plug wires are very important for good performance... if they've never been replaced you should do so ASAP IMO. Try squirting some water on them with the engine running and listening for any changes in how the engine runs. This can (but doesn't always) confirm bad/worn plug wires.

 

[someone16]

Check drive belts to see if they squeak or crack?

 

[Ferzerp]

I have a little over 6k miles on my car. I'm almost through a set of front pads...

 

[Fritzo]

I have a little over 6k miles on my car. I'm almost through a set of front pads...

WTF? You know your car will go faster if you don't hold the brake pedal and the gas pedal down at the same time, right?

 

[mafia]

I also did a brake fluid bleed and clutch fluid bleed today on my s2000. I used the gravity method. Very easy to do.

 

[TridenT]

Bought the rotors, wires (HE76, not HE73), and brake pads.

$168.71 for it all... Damn tax from Amazon. But, whatever! (And yes, I could have potentially gotten it cheaper from rockauto or whatever. However, it's easier to deal with Amazon)

 

[Mark R]

What are people's thoughts about replacing thermostats and radiator caps.

I've now got about 150k miles on my car, and it's had it's first coolant change at 100k (Toyota "for life" stuff).

As the cooling system is going to be drained, it doesn't seem like it's going to be a big deal to change the thermostat, which isn't an expensive part.

I've had a thermostat stick closed before in a Camry which was inconvenient to say the least, so I'm hoping to avoid this happening again.

 

[TridenT]

What are people's thoughts about replacing thermostats and radiator caps.

I've now got about 150k miles on my car, and it's had it's first coolant change at 100k (Toyota "for life" stuff).

As the cooling system is going to be drained, it doesn't seem like it's going to be a big deal to change the thermostat, which isn't an expensive part.

I've had a thermostat stick closed before in a Camry which was inconvenient to say the least, so I'm hoping to avoid this happening again.

You can replace them if you want? I know some people replace thermostats whenever they do a drain. (Certain cars are known for having them go bad really fast) I don't know why you'd replace the radiator cap unless it was leaking.

 

[tortillasoup]

Replace radiator cap every 5 years. Period. Radiator caps serve 3 functions and if the cap goes bad due to age/clogging/whatever, major problems for your cooling system. If you're on your original radiator cap, replace it!

 

[Tweak155]

I don't keep a car long enough for most of these things on here

 

[TridenT]

I don't keep a car long enough for most of these things on here

I'm pretty attached to mine. I don't see myself ever selling it or getting another car to replace it. ^_^ It's one reason I do extra-care for my car when I can do so easily. I might get a truck and motorcycle to supplement it.

 

[bryanl]

I replace the spark plugs every 15,000-20,000.

Switch to unleaded gasoline, and your plugs will be able to go 30,000 between changes, even double that for platinum plugs.

 

[Colt45]

I just found out about valve adjustments but I don't know how important they are in regular maintenance. I've never done one on my car in the 45,000 miles that I've owned it.

hydraulic lifters bro.

 

[tortillasoup]

hydraulic lifters bro.

What about them?

 

[JCH13]

hydraulic lifters bro.

What about them?

You need to adjust your encabulator viscosity to let your lifters function properly.

 

[exdeath]

hydraulic lifters bro.

90s Toyotas sez "Nope."

 

[tortillasoup]

You need to adjust your encabulator viscosity to let your lifters function properly.

I heard bad muffler bearings can cause the exhaust to get backed up, leading to damaged lifters due to hydrolocking of the exhaust against the exhaust valves which is bad and why you should replace those bearings when they start to make a rattling sound when the throttle is snapped and is revved to 2525rpm or higher while is neutral.