Random car questions!
Posted by ledzepfan12 on Apr 13, 2009 · Member since Jan 2007 · 675 posts
Okay, I need to get an oil change (just realized that I've had my car for almost four years and don't remember ever getting one) and I don't know where to go. Don't say Wal Mart, and don't ever even consider taking your car there. Ever.
I want like a real mechanic to check out my car and give quality service. Any tips
Also, I recently started going to a school very far away (100 miles round trip, the route I take), what am I supposed to do to make sure my car stays okay even with all the driving and miles racking up. I have 166 thousand something already times about 500-600 miles a week for the foreseable future.
Also also, just for fun, how many miles does your car have?
I know it sounds sexist, but have a man go with you. In my experience you're far less likely to have additional sevices suggested or get ripped off if you have a guy that looks like he knows what he's talking about.
My car has about 54 thousand miles on it. ;)b
I don't know who to recommend for service. Really, I feel that almost any place will rip you off if given a chance. I would ask around the area that you live in - ask folks you know and trust where they take their vehicles. Also, I second Courth's advice - most mechanic shops will be less likely to add on unnecessary things if you either really know what you're talking about, or you take someone with you who does.
I got my vehicle (brand new) in Oct 2006 - I have 19k miles on it.
I'm slightly jealous. I've had mine less than 3 months and it's already at 5700. Those are mostly "to work and back" miles though.
I have no car. I don't even want to take a GUESS at how many miles I have racked up on my feet...
find a local place in the phone book, ask neighbors or people you work with "how is the 5th st. car shop?" or whatever. 4 years without an oil change. holy shit. thats a long time. You might need to get your filters changed out too, that helps with gas mileage. and every other time you get your oil changed, its a good idea to rotate your tires so that they last longer, it balances the wear on them. also, if your car pulls to one side while driving (you can test this by letting go of the wheel for a little bit) then you should allign your tires too. that helps on the wear of your tires also, if your car is always pulling to one side, one side of the car will have more worn tires.
these are the things you should go in and say (i just got an oil change today, so its fresh in my mind)
1. i need an oil change, tire rotation and replace my air filter.
if your car pulls to one side
2. i also need to allign my tires
they will put a sticker on your windowsheild that says "get your oil changed at 115,000 miles or whatever. you can go a couple thousand past that, but its a good gauge as to when to get the next change.
my oil change today was 50$! with my old car it was more like 20-30. so if thats too much for you, i've heard changing your own oil is pretty easy to learn.
Hmmm four years, no oil change? Have you added oil? Has the oil light illuminated? Is your check engine light on?
What make/ model/ year is the car?
Are there any odd things with the car; sounds, squeeks, grinding, clanking, difficult starting...?
There are forums for pretty much every make and model.
Most have a reputable service list.
There is also a maintenance schedule for you vehicle. Keeping up on service will keep the engine running longer and you will get better performance and fuel economy.
Garages my seem like a rip off and many are dishonest, but also it is easier to start replacing parts the 'tend to fail' as opposed to hours of diagnostic work.
Right off the bat with what you told me and if I were you mechanic dollar signs would light up in my head.
Please dont tell them that you have not had an oil change in four years.
What you *might* need.
Oil change
Coolant flush (summer is approaching and you are racking up miles)
Air and oil filter.
Tires (tread life is 50-75,000 miles) if you are within that rotate tires.
Brake pads and *perhaps* rotors
We go to jiffylube for our oil changes..it's been fine.
We got our car used (it's an 02), and we've had since about 05. It has about 51,000 miles. I think it had like 20,000 when we got it.
Hmmm four years, no oil change? Have you added oil? Has the oil light illuminated? Is your check engine light on?
What make/ model/ year is the car?
Are there any odd things with the car; sounds, squeeks, grinding, clanking, difficult starting...?
There are forums for pretty much every make and model.
Most have a reputable service list.
There is also a maintenance schedule for you vehicle. Keeping up on service will keep the engine running longer and you will get better performance and fuel economy.
Garages my seem like a rip off and many are dishonest, but also it is easier to start replacing parts the 'tend to fail' as opposed to hours of diagnostic work.
Right off the bat with what you told me and if I were you mechanic dollar signs would light up in my head.
Please dont tell them that you have not had an oil change in four years.
What you *might* need.
Oil change
Coolant flush (summer is approaching and you are racking up miles)
Air and oil filter.
Tires (tread life is 50-75,000 miles) if you are within that rotate tires.
Brake pads and *perhaps* rotors
I keep oil in the car and just had some put in about a month ago. I have a 1997 GMC Jimmy and from what I've read about them in reviews, just the normal sounds (loud engine). I had a new transmission put in almost three years ago.
Yeah, I don't think I'll say much more than "I just need my oil changed." when I get it done. Anything else might get me in trouble.
I only want to spend about $60..
P.S.,
I really want all the extra stuff that eric christian said and will reall only go to get my oil changed if I've tried and think I will be worse than people at Wal Mart.
Oh an oil change should include the oil filter.
Dont let them bully you into anything else if all you want is an oil change.
They call that a free safety inspection.
Any sort of valvoline/jiffy lube place will do it for about $30. You could also bring it to the dealership and they'd do it and give you an idea of what else you need or should have done.
I have a 2003 Subaru Impreza that I bought new in feb 03 and I have about 35,000 miles on it.
Also, every 30,000 mi, you should get your car in for a tune up. This can include spark plugs/checking belts/transmission/etc Mine is coming up on the 150,000 tune up. Each car has it's own "time line" as to what you need to get "checked/tuned" up for what ever "milestone" you're at. What my dad suggested I do is to get a newspaper and look at the classifieds to find a shop that has a "deal/special" for the "scheduled" 30K,90K,120K tune ups and price check 'em against others.
Another thing you should consider doing w/ your oil change is to get your transmission fluid changed as well....Every vehicle is different as to how often it needs to be done (ie look in the manual), but the general rule of thumb I've heard is to get it done annually.
Ask the AAA website what are good places near you. They recommended two awesome places here, and the people are super nice!