“My Car Is Running Fine. What Maintenance Do I Really Need To Do?”

By Brian Klaubert and Brian Warbington

The automotive “tune-up” has really become a thing of the past. Many cars can be driven 100,000 miles before the spark plugs and ignition wires need to be changed. Unfortunately, many people think that this means that the only service necessary is an oil change.

You can probably get away with that practice if you are only going to keep the car for 70,000 to 80,000 miles. However, if like many Atlantan’s you expect to keep your car for 120,000 miles or more, you really need to do some additional maintenance.

One of the most important overlooked services is a transmission flush. This should be performed every 30,000 miles. Your transmission and torque converter together have 17 quarts of transmission fluid made from the same base stock as your motor oil. If you never change that fluid, you can expect serious transmission problems to begin to arise at between 80,000 to 100,000 miles.

The best service for your transmission is a chemical flush and complete transmission fluid exchange. This is a much better service than the older practice of replacing the transmission filter and replacing just the 5 quarts of fluid in the transmission. The newer and older services are usually equally priced, and range between $90 to $130 for either. If you conscientiously flush the transmission every 30,000 miles, you should expect 150,000 miles from most vehicles.

An air induction system cleaning will provide several benefits for your car. It will usually make a noticeable improvement in acceleration and easier engine starting when cold. It will also increase the probability of passing the emissions inspection on the first visit. Most quick-change oil centers offer a service that cleans the fuel injectors and valves for between $60 - $80. Full service auto repair centers and dealerships offer a service that additionally cleans the upper air intake plenum and throttle body. This incremental service provides a more noticeable performance improvement and a greater improvement in engine efficiency and emissions reduction. The complete throttle body, fuel injection, and valve cleaning generally costs between $120 - $180 dollars. This service is recommended every 20,000 – 30,000 miles.

Another service frequently overlooked is an engine coolant flush or “drain and fill”. The need is not driven by protection from freezing, but from protection from corrosion. Anti freeze has important chemicals that protect the engine’s cooling system and gaskets from corrosion and chemical attack. These chemicals become depleted after 2 years or 24,000 miles.

Several manufacturers tried to develop a coolant that would last 100,000 miles. Unfortunately the “beefed-up” chemical package seems to have actually increased the corrosion problem. It is common for vehicles using extended life coolant to need a new intake manifold gasket after only 60,000 miles because of the more aggressive chemicals. This repair generally costs $600 - $800. You are much better off to change to the regular “green” colored coolant after 24,000 miles and then every 24,000 miles thereafter.  A chemical flush and replacement with green coolant is typically $50 to $70.  A drain and fill is typically $30 to $50.

Do you have a question about your car? Send it to service@cbahm.com.

Brian Klaubert and Brian Warbington are with Christian Brothers Automotive – Hamilton Mill, in Dacula.