This file is essentially about what used to be called "tune ups". In the old days, cars really could be "tuned". When they started running badly, it often meant that the carburettor needed to be adjusted or rebuilt, the points would be regapped, etc. Modern fuel injection, electronic ignition cars, while being much more reliable, are not so amenable to being tweaked back into "tune". They either work right, or they don't. The reason they don't will usually be that some part has worn beyond its design limits and is no longer functioning properly. While the car is running in this condition, usually getting poorer fuel economy and less power, being harder to start and perhaps idling rougher, the other components are often being stressed and worn or filthed faster. The way these cars are supposed to be maintained is replacement of still "good" functioning parts, before they actually start to compromise the way the engine runs. This may seem counterintuitive, removing parts that still "work", but it is the correct procedure. The removed parts can also then be saved just in case of catsastrophic failure in your car or a friends and used to save the day. The table is an attempt to define the approximate interval at which various parts should be replaced with new ones. It is based on the shop manual and part manufacturers data and my personal experience. I have stated most of the intervals in miles. There are two conversions that may be required for your use - to kilometers, multiply by about 1.6, and to years, which is not so linear. The conversion is about 12,000 miles per year, and this matters most when you drive a lot less miles per year than that - some parts will age even when not in use. You are encouraged to use your own judgement here, but remember the goal is always to be removing a good working part when you replace it. There are many wear items tucked away in your car which are more difficult to predict a lifetime for, and these are listed after the main table. They should be measured or tested at some regular interval, annually or semi-annually would be appropriate - or whenever doing a lot of underhood work and things are exposed. Seasonal variations will also be a factor. My observations are influenced by living in the northeastern United States, where the summers are fairly hot and the winters are cold, moderately snowy and very salty. Different climates and environments will obviously call for different priorities and perhaps intervals. I have loaded an almost blank version of an Excel spreadsheet on this site as well. I use it to track almost everything I do to my vehicles, incuding average costs. Feel free to use it if you want. If anyone would like to develop a more sophisticated version, for instance one with drop down menus for routine service that automatically update the reminders at the bottom, please share! click here to download "blank service record chart.xls" (17.5k). |
