Auto Repair Questions

[EternalEnigma21]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

I'm known for a few things around these Warpath parts; I can hit you over the head with mad salary cap info, and I'm a grumpy old fart in the morning.

But one thing I know absolutely squadoosh about is auto repair. So if you got knowledge in this area, hit me over the head with it!

My wife and I own a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am (6 cyl) with 58,000 miles, and a 1999 Toyota Camry (4 cyl) with 88,000 miles.

First question: Your car comes with a maintenance schedule, showing what needs to be done every 5000 miles. I certainly understand that oil changes need to be done every 3000-5000 miles, brake pads need replacing, tires need rotating, belts need replacing, etc. But what else is necessary? Maybe someone can go through this list and tell me what's really needed:

Transmission fluid flush
Brake fluid flush
Power steering fluid flush
Fuel injection system cleansing

Second question: What other tasks are really necessary to perform on your car on a routine basis?

Third question: Are there any tasks that are commonly believed to be necessary, but really aren't needed?

Fourth question: The Pontiac just needed new brake pads and rotors. What causes the rotors to need replacing? Is there a way to avoid this?

Fifth question: If you're someone who does his own car repairs, please don't answer this one. If you take your car to mechanics/dealerships for repair, how often do you experience a repair bill over $300? How often for over $500?

Just trying to learn more and do my best not to get hosed. Thanks guys.

without reading all of the respnoses here, I work in the business, I hav a brother in law who is a technichian for a honda dealer, and know many people around this business...

Your car will come with a manual describing the things you need to do to keep in under warranty. Its fairly simple stuff... change your oil, rotate the rubber, check out your brakes and fluids (simple maintenance stuff)

MOST of what the dealer/shop tells you you need to do is BS. They're just trying to sell you stuff. the more work they do the more money you pay them and the more they make...

I've had service reps tell me my car NEEDED a major service without knowing anything about the car...

Just stay within your scheduled book and take note of the mileage increments things were replaced the first time to gague when they'll need to be replaced again..

ie: serpantine belt gets changed at 90K... change it againg at around 180k even though the book doesn't go that far...

You should be fine... If you can find a PERSON in a shop you can trust keep taking your car to them, but don't turn your keys over to someone you dont trust, even if they work in the same place as the guy you DO trust... I've seen some crazy things happen in the service bays of dealerships and Service makes far more money than sales for a dealership...