What kind of servicing does my car need at 60,000 miles?

[psteng19]

My car is a 1995 Nissan Sentra A/T that just passed 60,000 miles.
I bought it used (at 45k miles) and it's been good to me so far.
Nothing major except for the O2 sensors and thermostat that went bad
(and a CV axle that was replaced... it was kind of premature since i'm only at 60k. i think the mileage was rolled back - low miles, old car).

So what needs to be done?
tune-up?
brakes?
spark plugs?
fluids (transmission, brake, power steering)?
timing belt? (my mechanic says most cars can go 70 - 80k before this needs to be done)
other misc. belts?

also, should i bring it to a local mechanic or to the dealer?

edit: oil change due at 62k, new tires were done at 50k, and shocks/springs will be installed next week, so these won't be needed.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

This site should tell you what you need to know.

 

[Theslowone]

Boots, cv joints?
You could change any of those things you listed below, and you wouldn't be wasting money.

But most of the stuff gives you signs of needing replacements, brakes makes noises, motor makes tapping sound

I would probably get the spark plugs and wires replaced, maybe flush your radiator, and let them do an inspection on the rest. They have like x point inspection that will cover most of the stuff that needs to be changed at that time.

Just remember though, timing belt is different for model of car, the 70k-80k is the norm. It is a little costly to change but is well worth it if it is going bad. It could cost you a lot of money if it does go bad.

 

[F00BAR]

rotate your tires

 

[psteng19]

yamahaXS, that site would be nice, but they charge $24.95 for advice while ATOT is free 😉

Theslowone, I'm not mechanically inclined enough to change the CV joint myself 🙁
Had it done by the mechanic for $120.
Radiator was flushed when they replaced my thermostat.
I'll get the spark plugs changed then.

F00BAR, tires rotated myself when I put on winter tires 😀

 

[Pepsi90919]

<< i think the mileage was rolled back - low miles, old car >>

uh? and you still own the car? might want to do a carfax on that one.

 

[Zenmervolt]

<<timing belt? (my mechanic says most cars can go 70 - 80k before this needs to be done)>>

Get a new mechanic and get it now. The interval is 60,000 miles. Many cars can go farther, but 60,000 miles is the maximum accepted safe interval. If the belt breaks, say "good-bye" to your heads, valvetrain, and potentially pistons and cylinder walls unless you are really lucky. It's $1,000 worth of damage easy if the timing belt breaks.

You should have every belt changed, not just the timing belt. Get the alternator, water pump, and A/C (if applicable) belts changed as well.

ZV

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

<< yamahaXS, that site would be nice, but they charge $24.95 for advice while ATOT is free >>



actually i thought you could try it out for free...

edit: or not :-(

still looks like a great place to get really good info before buying a used car...

 

[psteng19]

<< i think the mileage was rolled back - low miles, old car

uh? and you still own the car? might want to do a carfax on that one. >>


I bought the car 2 summers ago (Aug 2000) for cheap ($4500).
It was a '95 with only 45k miles, which I consider low for a 5 year old car.
However, that's the only reasoning I'm going by. I have no other proof.
Mechanically and cosmetically, the car runs and looks fine except for the dings and scratches.
And I got it for relatively cheap, so I'm not going to bother.



<< You should have every belt changed, not just the timing belt. Get the alternator, water pump, and A/C (if applicable) belts changed as well. >>


OK, I'll have the belts changed at the next visit. Last winter, the mechanic did spot some minor cracks in the alternator belt.
I decided to wait it out, since he did say I could last a little while longer on them. I guess my time is up.

What about fluids?

 

[Thegonagle]

Step 1:

RTFM. . .

Do what it says in there for severe service. Severe service applies to almost everyone. If you're not on the highway at a steady speed 98% of the time, do the severe service recommendation. Also, change the spark plugs more often than 110,000 miles, or what ever they're saying, just to avoid possible seizing.

 

[Muadib]

Here's a yahoo guide for your car.

 

[Zenmervolt]

<<What about fluids?>>

Have the mechanic check the specific gravity of your coolant, but it's probably OK. Trannsmission fluid should probably be changed, it's normally a 30,000 mile interval and as long as the car is in for the belt change, it's probably a good idea to have it changed. Hydraulic fluid (brake and power steering) are probably fine. Spark plugs you can check yourself. If there is carbon build-up on the plugs or if they are wearing, then they will need changing, but most likely they are fine.

ZV