Oil Changes

[MarkCO]

Actually, changing the transmission fluid at 30K is a good idea if you plan on keeping the vehicle past 100K.

Of the "Chains", I find Brakes Plus to be the best. I would stop by the one close to you and give them a once over. The one near me is really good, old school mechanics that do waht you ask, and still do a check on the car.

With all that said, I don't like anyone touching my cars, guns or wife except me...call me jealous, but I know what I have when I do it myself.

If you don't have tools or a garage, give this place a call: http://www.doityourselfgarage.net/index.html

[birddog]

Yea, I would do it myself. Walmart take used oil.

As for the tranny and such, I would follow the manual that came with your car. 26K might be about right for some.

[DD977GM2]

Actually, changing the transmission fluid at 30K is a good idea if you plan on keeping the vehicle past 100K.

Of the "Chains", I find Brakes Plus to be the best. I would stop by the one close to you and give them a once over. The one near me is really good, old school mechanics that do waht you ask, and still do a check on the car.

With all that said, I don't like anyone touching my cars, guns or wife except me...call me jealous, but I know what I have when I do it myself.

If you don't have tools or a garage, give this place a call: http://www.doityourselfgarage.net/index.html

That is very debatable. I have driven cars 150k without ever changing the tranny fluid and
really depends on the maker. If American, stick with the 50k rule. Change all fluids every 50k.
If foreign made like Toyota (the best) Change every 75k to 100k.

They are trying to upsell to women because most women have no clue about vehicle maintenance.

[MarkCO]

That is very debatable. I have driven cars 150k without ever changing the tranny fluid and
really depends on the maker. If American, stick with the 50k rule. Change all fluids every 50k.
If foreign made like Toyota (the best) Change every 75k to 100k.

They are trying to upsell to women because most women have no clue about vehicle maintenance.

There is no debate at all. I crossed a freeway when I was 6 and did not get killed, but I wouldn't let my 6 year old do it.

I spent several years as a lab tech in an oil analysis lab and the science is irrefutable. Transmissions at sea level last longer due to lack of hills, but primarily better cooling due to denser air. The auto makers "barely" give enough cooling for them (even your beloved Asian brands). Now, if you have a heavy duty tranny cooler, or you only drive under 55 on the flat, probably not an issue.

Transmission fluid has an additive package, and it breaks down, on average, at about 30K in petroleum based fluids. When the pacakge breaks down, wear increases, but more important, the seals loose the conditioning and the propensity to foam increases. "Flushing" is generally a bad idea and in most transmissions, changing the filter is an every other time deal. If one is so inclined, you can replace the fluid with synthetic and a new filter and go about 100K from there. Some high end vehicles (some Amreican, but mostly European) come with 100K rated synthetic (usually green) tranmission fluid which is phenominal.

But, since we live in America still, you are free to beleive anything you want.