What are the regular car maintenance things I should do

[cirrrocco]

Well I have been reading some of the stuff and I realize that even though I have been taking my car for an oil change every 2000 miles, I should also be doing more

my car is a '98 nissan altima with about 78k miles.

Now at walmart they fill up fluids, change oil, oil filter etc. Last night I also read that I should be doing a transmission flush every 30000 files plus change brake fluids as well. What else should I do. What other regular maintenance steps should I schedule so that my car runs and not have any major issues.

Also do you guys recommend any places that you get this done. I live in milwaukee btw

 

[ValValline]

Follow the recommendations in the owners manual for your car.

 

[Zenmervolt]

My own recommendations:

Oil change: 5,000 miles for a regular, non-turbo, water-cooled family car that is not just short-tripped.
Coolant: Whenever the hydrometer says it needs to be changed, typical every 2-3 years.
Transmission: 30,000 miles, flush and fill (considered by many to be overkill, may be).
Brake Fluid: Every 2 years, flush and fill.
Fuel Filter: 50,000 miles.
Air Filter: 15,000-30,000 miles depending on conditions.
Spark Plugs: 100,000 miles if platinums, but I typically replace the platinum plugs with standard copper plugs and change them every 15,000 miles. There is nothing at all wrong with using platinums, and I recommend that for most drivers.

That's the major maintenance stuff that I do. Bear in mind though that I tend to over-maintain my cars.

ZV

 

[jjmIII]

I have been taking my car for an oil change every 2000 miles

There is NO reason to go before 3000 miles!

 

[desy]

15000 miles for oil changes using synthetic used to be 6000 for regular oil
60000 for tuneups and tranny flushes
Never change power steering or brake fluids
coolant every 3 years

I drive a lot of highway and most of it is at 60mph. I keep my cars til they are pretty much worthless

 

[mooseracing]

Originally posted by: jjmIII

I have been taking my car for an oil change every 2000 miles

There is NO reason to go before 3000 miles!

Depends on the person and their driving area/habits. The only true way to tell if your oil needs changing at a certain time frame is to have it sent out for analysis. Even then it may be different every time you drive.

I've seen high and low numbers on oil changes. Even seen them at 1,000 miles before after tests.

For me being to cheap to do an oil analysis every month I stick to 3k sometimes sooner on my truck depending if I did any wheeling


For my maintence:
Plugs I try to do every year- I stick with copper, works out around 10k miles

Engine Oil 3k miles depending on conditions

Auto Tranny Oil & Filter Every year - i don't have the time or moeny to rebuild right now or ever

Manual Tranny- Every year unless its been dunked in water

Diffs every year also unless its been dunked

Power Steering I have a filter and enough of it seeps out when I hook up my winch I don't worry about changing unless it smells or starts to change color alot.

On newer cars with rack and pinion I would flush every 2 years or every year if I had time. You wouldn't beleive how much more feel there is in the steering after flushing it.



Air Filter every year

 

[JulesMaximus]

First of all, why are you changing your oil every 2k miles? I'd do it every 3k at the earliest, the only thing you're doing is wasting oil.

Second, why are you taking it to Walmart? There's got to be a decent local mechanic for oil changes that you can support over the idiots at wallyworld.

Third, read the owner's manual and follow the manufacturer's recommendations.