Car maintenance question

[skymama 37]

I took my 2003 Jeep into one of those quickie oil change places and of course they tried to talk me into doing a lot of extra stuff besides the basic oil change. I told them no, but am wondering if any of this stuff actually should be done to my jeep (it has about 30,000 miles on it).

The things they told me to do are:

Air filter replacement (I still have the same one from the factory on it)
Engine Oil Cleaner
Fuel Injection Cleaning
Differential Service
Power steering flush

If I do need to do anything on this list, do I have to go to a mechanic or are they pretty easy to do with products from an Auto Parts store?

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[2fat2fly 0]

the owners manual will give you the mileage at which these things need to be done. I'd be surprized if it wasn't time to at least blow out your air filter, the rest-I've never owned a jeep but my last four wheel drive got the drive train greased every 5000 miles or sooner if I buried it in the mud

I am not the man. But the man knows my name...and he's worried

[wingnut 0]

i do now you will probly want to change you air filter out every 12 months or 15,000 miles... sooner if you drive in dusty conditions...... the differential might be good too.. as 2fat said it is outlined in your owners manual.......

______________________________________
"i have no reader's digest version"

[Nutz 0]

Air filter - yes

I think the rest of that is just trying to get more money out of you.

Engine oil cleaner? Are they going to clean the old oil and put it back in???? If you keep your oil changed you sure don't need that.

Fuel injector cleaner - maybe - are you having trouble with the way it runs? As long as you use good gas you should not need this.

Differential service - bastards! gear oil only gets better with age so unless it needs topping off and as long as you haven't driven through any deep water - no.

Power steering flush??? I never heard of that one. When a hose breaks you will have to replace the fluid. Maybe you could have gotten in some deep water and gotten water in it but if that is not the case - no.

My $0.02

"Don't! Get! Eliminated!"

[marks 0]

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Differential service - bastards! gear oil only gets better with age so unless it needs topping off and as long as you haven't driven through any deep water - no.

not true, the debris that builds up in it is harmfull, but I doubt it needs to be replaced at 30k.

change your oil and filter, replace the airfilter. fuel filter if you have one. replace the plugs, "unless they come with platinum plugs from the factory". rotate and ballance the tires, check air pressure in tires. lube all the door latches, window glass runs. check all the ligts. check the brakes. and just look over car from front to rear. lube the suspension, if it has servicable parts.

thats what you need to do at 30k. It is the first, major service.

It is a good Idea to flush fluids on a regular basis, but it is costly to get all of them done, your ok at 30k though.

I flush all the fluids in my car once a year.

brake fluid, trans fluid, coolant, power steering, and diffefential--in your case.

[marks 0]

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Power steering flush??? I never heard of that one. When a hose breaks you will have to replace the fluid. Maybe you could have gotten in some deep water and gotten water in it but if that is not the case

keeping fluids, flushed and clean prevents leaks, and the degrading of hoses.

you keep the fluid clean for the life of the car and it is likely you won't get a broken hose.

[Dumpster 0]

As mentioned before, check the owner's manual, they're probably hosing you on everthing except the air filter, which is inexpensive and you can change it yourself. Wouldn't reccomend blowing it out, that could damage the filter and let more dirt in to your engine.

Easy Does It

[Thanatos340 1]

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If I do need to do anything on this list, do I have to go to a mechanic or are they pretty easy to do with products from an Auto Parts store?

1. Air Filter..- Probably does need to be done. Very easy to do it your self. Buy Air Filter. Take out old one, Put in new one.

2. Engine Oil Cleaner.. (Engine Flush??) - Sounds like typical Quickie Lube upsell. Very unlikely that this is actually needed unless your engine has run Hot or somehow you got some contaminates in your crankcase.

3.Fuel Injection Cleaning - There are many Fuel Additives that can be used that claim to clean your fuel injectors. (I doubt it is really needed though). Again it was probably just an upsell.

4. Differential Service - Check the Owners Manual. This should be part of your 60,000 mile service generally.

5. Power steering flush - Another upsell. I have restored cars from 1966, 1970, 1971 and 1974 that ALL still had the Fluid that came from the factory.

Quickie Oil Changes Places are almost ALWAYS a scam. Their job is to SELL you as much as possible. They will tell tell you anything that you might believe. The techs and service people all work off commission.

The whole 3000 mile oil change itself is a myth created by people that sell oil changes. Read your owners manual. Most vehicles recommend every 7500 miles.

I used to love it when they would come out and tell me I needed to replace my K&N Air Filter.

Did they offer to change your Muffler Bearings and Antifreeze Filter Too??

[turtlespeed 226]

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Air filter replacement (I still have the same one from the factory on it)
Engine Oil Cleaner
Fuel Injection Cleaning
Differential Service
Power steering flush

K - Ready for this -


I agree with Nutz and Jello -

New Air filter is neccessary and will get you better fuel ecomomy usually.
This is most likeley my only serious post of the day.
Thank you for your support.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[Gawain 0]

Unless you have a K&N filter, you should change your air filter about every 12-15k miles.

Of course, the quickie oil change place will always try to upsell services. They aren't scams, but they aren't tailored for each car either.

One way to avoid this is to consult your owner's manual and service your car at the dealership. I have had too many bad experiences outside the dealer to tolerate it anymore. As it turns out, I pay less for an oil change at the dealer anyway. You may want to check with them too. If you make an appointment, they'll get the job done in the same amount of time, and lots of dealers throw in a quick car wash too (don't know about domestic dealers though).

I know I'm in the minority when it comes to being a dealer service advocate, but if something ever goes wrong, there's a much more tangible warranty. I see the same guy because his job is much more stable, etc.

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[turtlespeed 226]

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I know I'm in the minority when it comes to being a dealer service advocate, but if something ever goes wrong, there's a much more tangible warranty. I see the same guy because his job is much more stable, etc.

No not a minority - Well maybe - but - I am too.

'corse my g-ma works in service and - well, I don't get ANY kind of discount.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[warpedskydiver 0]

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I took my 2003 Jeep into one of those quickie oil change places and of course they tried to talk me into doing a lot of extra stuff besides the basic oil change. I told them no, but am wondering if any of this stuff actually should be done to my jeep (it has about 30,000 miles on it).

The things they told me to do are:

Air filter replacement Engine Oil Cleaner(K&N $50.00 and it is washable, lasts 1million miles, and can really help performance)

Fuel Injection Cleaning (BG 200 $5,00)

Differential Service (if someone fucks that up you have real problems, but it is best done by removing the differential covers and cleaning thoroughly)

Power steering flush (BULLSHIT!!!)

• Quote

[kallend 2,146]

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I took my 2003 Jeep into one of those quickie oil change places and of course they tried to talk me into doing a lot of extra stuff besides the basic oil change. I told them no, but am wondering if any of this stuff actually should be done to my jeep (it has about 30,000 miles on it).

The things they told me to do are:

Air filter replacement (I still have the same one from the factory on it)
Engine Oil Cleaner
Fuel Injection Cleaning
Differential Service
Power steering flush

If I do need to do anything on this list, do I have to go to a mechanic or are they pretty easy to do with products from an Auto Parts store?

Many fine answers, but some really depend on your driving habits. Is this 30k miles along Deland's paved roads, or, since it's a Jeep, have you been driving across the Mojave Desert and through swamps too?

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[diablopilot 2]

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Quickie Oil Changes Places are almost ALWAYS a scam. Their job is to SELL you as much as possible. They will tell tell you anything that you might believe. The techs and service people all work off commission.

Have you seen the "Nitrogen Tire Service" some of these places are selling now? They will fill your tires with nitrogen for something like $10 a tire..... sheesh....It's not like I drive an SR-71 or anything.

----------------------------------------------
You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

[turtlespeed 226]

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Quickie Oil Changes Places are almost ALWAYS a scam. Their job is to SELL you as much as possible. They will tell tell you anything that you might believe. The techs and service people all work off commission.

Have you seen the "Nitrogen Tire Service" some of these places are selling now? They will fill your tires with nitrogen for something like $10 a tire..... sheesh....It's not like I drive an SR-71 or anything.

I wonder if helium would help mileage.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[Broke 0]

Hmm some of it sounds like hogwash, but when you do get your oil changed you should put in some injector cleaner. I recomend Techron it is available in all auto parts stores and even walmart.
Power steering flush that is a new one by me.
The oil cleaning. Don't go for that it can cause more harm to an engine than good. It helps to break down all the seals in the engine causing you to have to rebuild sooner.
For the rest of that stuff cosult your owners manual, or invest in a Hanes repair guide. They will give you a good idea on what you should be doing as far as maintance on a regular basis.

Divot your source for all things Hillbilly.
Anvil Brother 84
SCR 14192

[Thanatos340 1]

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Have you seen the "Nitrogen Tire Service" some of these places are selling now? They will fill your tires with nitrogen for something like $10 a tire..... sheesh....It's not like I drive an SR-71 or anything.

I loved the explanation that PepBoys gave me when they tried to sell it to me..

"The Nitrogen Molecules are Bigger so you are less likely to get a flat"

I kept asking the guy if this was a Joke. What is scary is that I think the guys behind the counter actually start believing the Bullshit they are selling. Sad actually.

[ryoder 1,590]

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Have you seen the "Nitrogen Tire Service" some of these places are selling now? They will fill your tires with nitrogen for something like $10 a tire..... sheesh....It's not like I drive an SR-71 or anything.

I loved the explanation that PepBoys gave me when they tried to sell it to me..

"The Nitrogen Molecules are Bigger so you are less likely to get a flat"

I kept asking the guy if this was a Joke. What is scary is that I think the guys behind the counter actually start believing the Bullshit they are selling. Sad actually.

Did you point out to them that you already had an 80% mix of nitrogen in your tires?

"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones.

[skymama 37]

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Many fine answers, but some really depend on your driving habits. Is this 30k miles along Deland's paved roads, or, since it's a Jeep, have you been driving across the Mojave Desert and through swamps too?

I just have a Jeep (Liberty) because it was cute and affordable. I'm a soccer mom, I just drive around the city and interstates. No swamps or desert riding for me...yet.

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[simplyputsi 0]

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Did you point out to them that you already had an 80% mix of nitrogen in your tires?

That is funny, they would probably be like no the stuff in your tires is air, not nitrogen.
That is when you would just have to shake your head and walk out. You might want to clue them in as your leaving as to why you are leaving though, just to give them a clue ya know.

Skymama's #2 stalker -

[davedlg 0]

I think the whole nitrogen thing is about getting the oxygen out of your tires. Oxygen can be bad stuff...espically under pressure. Any SCUBA certified diver can tell you that breathing pure oxygen under pressure can be fatal. When you raise the pressure in your tires you also raise the partial pressure of oxygen, causing increased oxidation of the inside of the tires and wheels. So, by eliminating oxygen from the mixture and using nitrogen which is a lot more inert, you theoretically prevent a lot of corrosion on the inside of your tires.

My take on it however is that it is a gimmick. You will do a lot more good for your tires by keeping them properly inflated and roatating them regularly then by pumping them full of nitrogen.

[marks 0]

race cars use nitrogen in the tires. they also use nitrgen to run the air tools.

[marks 0]

it is a gimmick if you maintain your car. just like synthetic oil. they work , but the reason they work is because you dont maintain your car. if you did you wouldn't need them.

tell those ford explorer drivers that died in rollover accidents a few years back that it is a gimmick. if they had nitrogen in the tires, it might not have happened.

tires leak air, and they change pressure with temperature. nitrogen does not, well, not as much.

[skydemon2 0]

we put nitrogen in the aircraft tires when I was in the military.... it was a while ago but I believe it had to do with expansion rates with heat, nitrogen is more stable through a wider temp range than oxygen. So you didnt have to worry about a blow out if it got hot or the pressure going low if it was cold.

Beauty is only skin deep, but ugly goes clean to the bone!

I like to start my day off with a little Ray of Soulshine™!!

[simplyputsi 0]

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it is a gimmick if you maintain your car. just like synthetic oil. they work , but the reason they work is because you dont maintain your car. if you did you wouldn't need them.

tell those ford explorer drivers that died in rollover accidents a few years back that it is a gimmick. if they had nitrogen in the tires, it might not have happened.

tires leak air, and they change pressure with temperature. nitrogen does not, well, not as much.

am I the only one that is going WTF????
You lost me at "the reason they work is because you dont maintain your car"

Skymama's #2 stalker -