OK, I hit 60K miles, what do you recommend for maintenance, (fluids, belts . . .)?

What things have you done before?

Some things I have done around that mileage assuming they have never been done before:
-Replace spark plugs
-Flush out the coolest system and replace with new dexcool
-Change the manual transmission fluid (may not need done until 80-100k) (car manual says it never needs to be done, but that's unrealistic)
-Serpentine belt, if its still original
-Check all corners for worn brakes, wheel bearings, steering/suspension linkage.

If you want a more official answer, consult your car manual that has service increments and guidelines in the back.


00 cavalier (5 speed, 2200) 84 chevy c-10 (v-8, 700r4) 64 volvo 122 ( everything......)

why dont you see what GM recommends for 60,000.

you can start with :

belt
coolant flush
transmission fluid/filter
plugs
fuel filter
air filter
brake system flush

According to GM, there isn't anything too special required at that exact time. Depending on your driving habits I would maybe consider changing the plugs around that time - although I've seen them go 100,000 miles in more than one application with no problems.

The coolant flush should be fine until you hit the 5 year mark - just stick with Dexcool (no mixing). If any part of the cooling system needs attention before that, then I would use it as an excuse to do it early, otherwise you should be fine.

Strangely GM doesn't specify a change interval for the fuel filter - but I've found mine to need changing each time around that interval. I would recommend an AC Delco replacement though - I had one on there from a manufacturer whose name starts with "F", and after about 2 years it was so rusty looking I was expecting it to start leaking! My original still looked like new when I changed it.

You could change the transmission fluid if you want to - but I've never found it to make much difference. It came out looking new each time. At least it's very easy and you only need 2 quarts.

You can INSPECT the belt - but according to GM as long as it isn't cracked severely enough to be losing "chunks", then it's still suitable for use. Surprisingly mine is still original from 2002 with 231,700km on it (close to 150,000 miles) and there are NO visible cracks yet. None of the belts in my previous cars ever lasted like that!

I would check the air filter annually, and unless you're driving under dusty conditions, it should be good for about 30,000 miles - assuming it's a good quality unit. For the price of them, it probably wouldn't hurt to change at those annual inspections.

A brake system (and clutch fluid) flush probably isn't a BAD idea - but probably isn't absolutely necessary yet if the system is staying properly sealed. It's affected more by time than mileage - and 3-4 years isn't much. You could probably leave it for the same time as the coolant flush. Flushes for these are another one of the things that isn't specified by GM as ever being required. I probably SHOULD consider doing mine someday - but the fluid still looks pretty decent and doesn't show any sign of contamination from anything, so it's staying there for now. Maybe if I find some extra time in the spring...

Brake and suspension inspections should be done each time you rotate the tires, or probably at the very least every 15,000 miles depending on driving habits. I would strongly recommend lubricating the front sliders in the calipers once a year with some synthetic brake lube. I find it seems to work more smoothly than the regular silicone lube, and doesn't wash off as easily. Using that grease, it probably won't absolutely require re-doing that often, but it's a quick and easy job, and will help prevent the brakes from dragging.

So far the above schedule seems to have been working fine for my car, and were also working on my brother's '02 GT (Eco 5-speed) until he traded it in a few months ago. I've got the factory service manuals that I use for reference, and they don't really specify much more than what I've put here - at least nothing major. We're lucky that these newer cars require such little maintenance compared to that of a few decades ago! I think that some people do more than what's really necessary based on experience with older technologies.

John